Pittsburgh melodic thrashers CROWN THE LOST have parted ways with drummer Kevin Antonacci. According to the band, Kevin "left CROWN THE LOST in order to focus more on his schooling and other worthy activities."

The group adds, "In Kevin's 11 months with the band, we enjoyed many a good time and wish him the best of luck in his future pursuits.

"Because of Kevin's departure, all future live activity is cancelled until further notice."

CROWN THE LOST is currently holding drummer auditions. If you're a skin-basher and feel as though you're up to task, you can contact the band at crownthelost@hotmail.com. Serious applicants only.

CROWN THE LOST's latest album, "Blind Faith Loyalty", was released in April via Italy-based Cruz del Sur Music. The follow-up to 2006's critically-acclaimed "Reverence Dies Within" expands upon CROWN THE LOST's intricate and memorable blend of progressively tinged thrash and melodic metal, this time with a greater emphasis on vocal dynamics and instrumental breaks.

Night Of The Vinyl Dead has reissued AGENT STEEL's "Omega Conspiracy" album on limited-edition Azure vinyl with a gatefold cover and insert. Originally issued by Candlelight Records in 1999, the LP was made available in 350 hand-numbered copies and features the following track listing:

Side A:

01. Destroy The Hush
02. Illuminati Is Machine
03. Fighting Backwards
04. New Godz
05. Know Your Master

Side B:

01. Infinity
02. Awaken The Sworm
03. Into the Nowhere
04. Bleed Forever
05. It's Not What You Think

Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY will release a new album, "The Root Of All Evil", on September 28 in Europe and October 6 in North America via Century Media Records. This special collection features re-recorded versions of songs from the band's first three LPs — "Black Earth" (1996), "Stigmata" (1998) and "Burning Bridges" (1999). Acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, EXODUS) mixed and mastered the CD, which was recorded at a few different locations in Sweden and produced by ARCH ENEMY with Daniel Erlandsson and Rickard Bengtsson handling the engineering.

Check out a trailer for the release below.

MANOWAR's long-awaited new DVD in the "Hell On Earth" series is finally coming out on November 27.

"Hell On Earth V" will cover MANOWAR's recent world tours including Germany, Norway, Spain, Finland, Russia, Romania, Turkey, USA and Canada. It will feature live performances of old and new classics such as "Gloves Of Metal", "The Crown And The Ring", "Hand Of Doom", "Hymn Of The Immortal Warrior", "Father", "God Or Man" and many others.

MANOWAR director Neil Johnson — who is responsible for overseeing all of the band's DVDs and music videos — comments: "Picking up where the Earthshaker left off.... 'Hell On Earth V' covers the amazing 'Demons Dragons & Warriors Tour' complete with onstage Vikings and all the craziness that happens behind the scenes of a MANOWAR show.

"I have done my best to show new and classic songs never captured on camera before, including the much-requested 'Mountains' and songs from the new EP, 'Thunder In The Sky'. It will be a step above 'Hell On Earth IV' in quality and spectacle."

The DVD will be available for pre-sale exclusively through MANOWAR's official merchandise shop, The Kingdom Of Steel.

French black metallers GLORIOR BELLI have announced the addition of New York-based bassist Jay Newman and drummer Darren Verni (both of UNEARTHLY TRANCE) to the group's ranks. Chris (a.k.a. Alastor) and Julien (a.k.a. Infestvvs) will continue to both handle the guitar and vocal duties. They state, "We all decided to let go of our nicknames for obvious reasons."

GLORIOR BELLI in May cancelled its participation in the "CIII" tour with U.S. black metal legends ABSU, Austin-based AVERSE SEFIRA and Los Angeles-based SOTHIS. According to a statement released by GLORIOR BELLI, the band "couldn't acquire the appropriate papers" in time for the tour and therefore had "no other choice but to pull out."

GLORIOR BELLI's third full-length album, "Meet Us Of The Southern Sign", was released in North America on June 2 via Candlelight Records.

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will release a new live album, "An Acoustic Night At The Theatre", on October 30 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and November 2 in the rest of Europe. According to the band, the CD will contain a brand new song called "Utopia". "It's a duet between [WITHIN TEMPTATION singer] Sharon [den Adel] and Chris Jones. The ['Utopia'] single will also contain 'Restless', recorded live at our show in Eindhoven in 2007."

The group adds, "This single will only be available in stores in the Benelux from October 23, so if you want to have it, you can order it on iTunes or through our webshop in a few weeks."

"Descend Into Depravity", the new album from Baltimore death metallers DYING FETUS, is being streamed in its entirety at this location. Due on September 15 via Relapse Records, the follow-up to 2007's "War Of Attrition" was recorded at Wright Way Studios in the group's hometown with producer Steve Wright.

"Descend Into Depravity" track listing:

01. Your Treachery Will Die With You
02. Shepherd's Commandment
03. Hopeless Insurrection
04. Conceived Into Enslavement
05. Atrocious By Nature
06. Descend Into Depravity
07. At What Expense
08. Ethos Of Coercion

ALCATRAZZ featuring Graham Bonnet (RAINBOW, MSG, IMPELLITTERI) has parted ways with drummer Glen Sobel and has replaced him with Dave Dzialak (JEFF SCOTT SOTO).

ALCATRAZZ is:

Graham Bonnet - Lead Vocals
Howie Simon - Guitar/Vocals
Dave Dzialak - Drums
Tim Luce - Bass/ Vocals

Greek extreme metallers SEPTICFLESH have issued the following update:

"We are extremely pleased to announce the union of two forces for our future endeavors as a band.

"We've joined forces with The Agency Group (DIMMU BORGIR, LAMB OF GOD, BEHEMOTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE) for North American booking and Hard Impact Management (KATAKLYSM, ARSIS, BLACKGUARD) for worldwide management. The band is also hard at work composing the new songs and ideas that will eventually end up on the follow-up to the album 'Communion'. The plan is to go back to the studio with Fredrik Nordström at Fredman Studio next summer and also work with the Filmharmonic Orchestra of Prague. Tentative release is fall of 2010."

Germany thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION have tapped EVILE guitarist Ol Drake as the temporary replacement for Mike Sifringer for their September 13 appearance at the Caos Emergente festival in Portugal.

According to a posting on DESTRUCTION's web site, the middle finger on Sifringer's left hand was broken and the ring finger was cracked "when an aggressive fan jumped out of the moshpit into the crowd with a kick jump" during a hardcore show at the Vlamrock festival in Belgium. Mike, who was watching the concert, "did not see [the mosher] coming and [the fan] hit [Mike's] left hand with full power."

DESTRUCTION stated about Ol Drake, "He's the perfect match: young, wild, talented and a DESTRUCTION fan to the bone. The kids will love him!"

Ol added: 'I was gutted to hear about Mike's injury. I wish all the best to him and hope he heals fast!

"I got a mail from Schmier asking if I could step in on guitar. It was an obvious yes. I absolutely love DESTRUCTION so this is a huge honor and privilege for me. Can't wait! It's gonna kick ass. Luckily I can already play a lot of the set being a fan.

"A huge thank you to Schmier, Mike and Marc for this dream gig!"

"The Curse Of The Antichrist - Live In Agony", the new double live album from DESTRUCTION, will be released in North America on October 13. The CD will be issued in Europe on September 25 via AFM Records.

Patrik Gardberg and Christian Älvestam of the Swedish death/black metal band TORCHBEARER are currently finalizing the rhythm and lead guitar tracks for the group's third album, entitled "Death Meditations". Christian states, "All vocals are done and to my ears Pär [Johansson] has outdone himself this time. Downright evil to the bone. I am personally also contributing a lot more vocals this time round, as going fifty-fifty with Pär. Me exclusively on low growls and Pär on the somewhat higher ones."

He adds, "I'm really satisfied with how this mixture turned out and I think you will like it too. Musically, the album will contain all the elements heard on our two previous efforts, but with a new twist to it.

"All you who like your blackened death metal fast and brutal, yet melodic, will not be disappointed!

"We will start mixing the album September 1! Release later this year via Vic Records!"

TORCHBEARER's forthcoming album will be the group's first with the band's latest additions, drummer Rolf Pilve and bassist Tomas "Plec" Johansson.

Finnish death/thrash metallers HATEFORM have issued the following update:

"HATEFORM decided to go separate ways with one of the founding members, drummer Tuomas Vähämaa. This was something that would have come ahead of us sooner or later and we wanted to take care of this before our second album studio sessions, which are planned to start in the end of the year. This decision didn't start any conflicts from either parties and HATEFORM wishes all the best to Tuomas.

"New firepower is already in sight, as Tuomo Latvala, the man behind such bands like TORTURE KILLER and DEMIGOD, showed his talents at the TLY Open Air gig. Tuomo did a fantastic job as he filled up on the drummer's duties, and now he will be joining the band as a full member of HATEFORM."

HATEFORM's debut album, "Dominance", was recorded and mixed at Palmgren Conservatory and Ansa Studios by Jori Haukio and Teemu Heinola. It was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox. The cover art was created by Ville Hautaluoma.

Formed in 2004, HATEFORM previously recorded two demos and received "Demo of the Month" accolades from all major Finnish music publications (Imperiumi, Inferno and Soundi). In addition, it performed dozens of gigs with such acts as DIABLO, PAIN CONFESSOR and MOKOMA.

HATEFORM is:

Tomy Laisto (guitar)
Petri Nyström (vocals)
Tom Gardiner (guitar)
Tuomo Latvala (drums)
Joni Suodenjärvi (bass)

Veteran Australian thrashers MORTAL SIN have released a new live album, "Into the Inferno (Live in Oslo)", via Riot! Entertainment. The CD, which contains the group's March 2008 performance in Oslo, Norway, is 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

Former EMPEROR vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn is hard at work on his third solo album, "After", for an early 2010 release via Mnemosyne Productions/Candlelight Records.

The first in a series of webisodes featuring footage from the recording studio can be viewed below. The initial clip features mainly the initial guitar recordings, and gives a hint or two of the musical direction of the album.

Ihsahn played his first-ever concert as a solo artist, supporting OPETH at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway on March 10. He stated about the gig, "I felt well prepared for the show, and luckily all technical aspects worked out to our advantage, so that the overall experience for me and my band was extremely positive. The feedback from the audience was amazing, and many thought that the songs gained an extra dimension by being performed in a live setting."

Ihsahn's setlist was as follows:

01. Invocation
02. Called By The Fire
03. Scarab
04. Emancipation
05. Unhealer
06. Misanthrope
07. Thus Spake The Nightspirit

Ihsahn was supposed to support OPETH for the majority of shows on the Swedish band's Norwegian tour in March. However, more detailed production planning revealed technical and practical difficulties at many of the smaller venues, and it proved nearly impossible for Ihsahn to play any of the other dates on the trek.

Ihsahn's second solo album, "angL", was released in May 2008 via Mnemosyne Productions/Candlelight Records. The CD features a guest appearance by OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt on the track "Unhealer" while Asgeir Mickelson and Lars Norberg (both of SPIRAL ARCHITECT) were responsible for laying down the drum and bass tracks on the album, respectively.

Just in time for the 2009 holiday season comes a release that is sure to grab the attention of heavy metal fans worldwide, as legendary singer Rob Halford debuts his first holiday CD "Halford III - Winter Songs" on his new label Metal God Records distributed globally by ADA Global/Warner Music Group, Fontana/Universal Music Group, Conveyor/Universal Music Canada and Sony Music Japan.

"Halford III - Winter Songs" (cover) is Rob's first solo release in more than seven years, and includes a collection of new Halford-penned tracks plus traditional holiday favorites presented with original arrangements by HALFORD (Rob Halford on vocals, Roy Z. on guitar, Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitar, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums).

Written, arranged and recorded during 2008 and 2009, "Halford III - Winter Songs" celebrates one of the most exciting holiday periods of the year.

The new HALFORD single "Get Into The Spirit" debuts at radio and RobHalford.com on September 29.

"Well, I've always said I wanted to produce a Christmas CD," comments Halford. "The HALFORD band has assembled a fantastic release, and we're excited to have produced a collection of holiday tracks which all of us have enjoyed from a very early age."

"Halford III - Winter Songs" debuts new HALFORD tracks "Get Into The Spirit", "When Christmas Comes For Everyone", "Light Of The World", "What Child Is This", "Oh Holy Night", "Come All Ye Faithful" and more.

"Halford III - Winter Songs" will be released the week of October 26, 2009 at your favorite retailer, e-tailer, Amazon.com, HMV.com, BestBuy.com, Play.com, iTunes and HalfordMusic.com.

A commercial for "Halford III - Winter Songs" can be viewed at MetalGodShop.com.

HALFORD's last studio album, "Crucible", came out in 2002. "Metal God Essentials, Vol. 1", a 2007 collection containing 15 songs spanning Rob Halford's solo career, featured two new songs, "Forgotten Generation" and "Drop Out".

Halford's Metal God Entertainment recently launched Metal God Records — a new music label providing global physical and digital distribution services for the world's rock and metal performers.

"It's been a long desire of mine to be a co-owner and participate in the operation of a label focused on supporting the rock and metal communities," Halford said in a statement. "The infrastructure we have been assembling at Metal God Entertainment now allows myself and other artists to benefit from Metal God Records global physical and digital distribution networks, promotion and marketing services, apparel products and a broad range of Artist & Repertoire services."

Madrid, Spain's HAEMORRHAGE will release its new full-length album through Relapse Records. The long-running goregrind band will begin work on its sixth studio CD this winter. In the interim, Relapse will reissue the band's classic "Grume" album as well as "Apology For Pathology". Details on these reissues will be announced shortly.

HAEMORRHAGE commented on the new partnership: "We are very happy to release our new stuff on Relapse cause is a legendary label, probably the most respected in grind/death metal. We will give our best on the new album, which we are already working on, and hopefully we will record by the end of 2009, beginning of 2010. Our hope is to have this ready for Maryland Deathfest and other great European summer festivals. We will announce the album title and other details soon."

"Across Heracles Towards", the new video from Spanish death/black metallers NOCTEM, can be viewed here. The song comes off the band's debut album, "Divinity", which was released in April via Austria's NoiseHead Records. The CD features guest appearances by Christos Antoniou (SEPTICFLESH, CHAOSTAR) and Leal (FOREVER SLAVE). It contains 11 tracks based on the story of the disappearance of Atlantis "from a dark and subjective point of view, speaking about its blood's desire in the battle, the darkest rituals for reaching the immortality or its society based in a polytheistic theocracy with longings of glory," according to a press release.

"Divinity" track listing:

01. Atlas Death
02. In The Path Of Heleim
03. Realms In Decay
04. The Sanctuary
05. The Call Of Oricalco's Horn
06. Across Heracles Towards
07. In The Aeons Of Time
08. Necropolis Of Esthar's Ruins
09. Divinity
10. Religious Plagues
11. Under Seas Of Silence

Virginia's melodic/technical death metal band ARSIS has entered Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts to begin recording its fourth studio album, "Starve For The Devil", for an early 2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is being produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with MUNICIPAL WASTE, AGNOSTIC FRONT and HATEBREED, among others. Artist Mark Riddick will provide his trademark meticulous and grotesque artwork for the upcoming release.

Commented guitarist/vocalist James Malone: "Everything I have been working towards over the past year has become a reality; we are making the ARSIS album that I have always wanted to make. We starting tracking drums yesterday and everything sounds amazing. Mike Van Dyne's playing just fits the songs so well, and it is great to be recording with one of my best friends again. I can honestly say that I have not been this happy in a long time. If the past few days are any indication of how the rest of the recording is going to go, then I feel certain that this will be our best work yet."

ARSIS' recording lineup:

James Malone - Guitars/Vocals
Mike Van Dyne - Drums
Nick Cordle - Guitars
Nathaniel Carter - Bass

ARSIS will embark on the Neckbreakers Ball European tour in October with BEHEMOTH and DEVILDRIVER.

ARSIS' latest album, "We Are the Nightmare", was released in April 2008 through Nuclear Blast Records. The package contains a bonus 45-minute DVD that includes the band's time in the studio, off-stage antics, and some general goofing around. The album was produced by Zeuss (AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE) at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts and was mastered by Alan Douches (KATAKLYSM, UNEARTH, SHADOWS FALL).

The new KOLDBRANN seven-inch single, "Russian Vodka / Metalni Bog" (cover), is now available for purchase at this location. The single was released on Agonia Records in August and contains two unique cover songs — a Norwegian hail to the old Eastern European cult, covering the speed metal goats KORROZIA METALLA (Russia) and BOMBARDER (Bosnia). 666 copies were pressed, 166 of which are on red vinyl.

KOLDBRANN recently recruited drummer Folkedal (SARKOM session musician) and guitarist Voidar (HJARNIDAUDI) for their festival appearances.

KOLDBRANN now consists of:

Kvass - Guitar
Mannevond - Vocals
S.G.J. - Bass
Folkedal - Drums (live)
Voidar - Guitar (live)

KOLDBRANN released a mini-CD, "Stigma: På Kant Med Livet", on August 15, 2008 via Twilight-Vertrieb.

The band's most recent full-length album, "Moribund", came out in June 2006 via Twilight-Vertrieb. The CD was recorded and mixed at JAKs Hell studios in Preetz, Germany. Mastering was done at Strype Audio by Tom Kvålsvoll. The follow-up to 2003's "Nekrotisk Inkvisition" contains 11 tracks, and features artwork by Kim Sølve. Iblis from ENDSTILLE recorded a guest appearance on vocals on one song.

BODY COUNT, the metal band fronted by legendary rapper Ice-T, made an appearance this past Sunday night (September 6) at the Vans Warped Tour 15th-anniversary party at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. The group played a 20-minute set, covered SLAYER, talked a ton of trash and closed with their controversial classic "Cop Killer". Also on the bill were NOFX, KATY PERRY, PENNYWISE, BAD RELIGION and RISE AGAINST.

Check out video footage of BODY COUNT's performance here.

BODY COUNT's last album, "Murder 4 Hire", came out in 2006 via Escapi Music. Lyrically, the songs ranged from political ("The End Game"), personal ("You Don't Know Me [Pain]"), and religious ("The Passion Of The Christ"), to obsession ("In My Head"), armegeddon ("Dirty Bomb"), hate ("Lies") and relationships. A eulogy for fallen band member D-Roc was also included ("D Rocs [RIP]") as was a hilarious take on deep south rednecks ("Down In The Bayou"). The CD closed with "Mr. C's Theme", a show-stopping hard-rock instrumental.

An e-card for "The Prophecy", the new album from reunited Oakland, California thrashers DEFIANCE, can be accessed at this location. Due on October 19 via Candlelight Records, the first collection of new music from DEFIANCE in over 15 years was recorded at Trident Studios and Greendot Studios in East Bay, California.

The track listing for the album is as follows:

01. Prion
02. The Prophecy
03. Bastard Son
04. The War Inside
05. Fuel The Fire
06. Eschaton
07. Sloth
08. Desert Sands
09. Dissolving Around You
10. Asthmaphere
11. Eyes Of The Front

ANVIL's re-release of the group's latest album, "This is Thirteen" (cover), is available for streaming its entirety at VH1.com. The CD will finally be given proper national distribution on CD and vinyl on September 15 via VH1 Classic Records. The collectible double vinyl LP boasts newly re-recorded versions of ANVIL classics "Metal on Metal" and "666". The album, originally recorded in 2007 and produced by Chris Tsangarides (JUDAS PRIEST, THIN LIZZY), was primarily available directly from the band via their web site and at their concerts.

ANVIL will take part in an in-store performance and signing session at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey on September 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. A free screening of the band's acclaimed documentary, "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil", will take place at Vintage Vinyl on September 25, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

ANVIL, considered a major influence for a generation of hard rockers including METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, and GUNS N' ROSES, was the subject of a critically acclaimed, must-see rock-doc, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", directed by Sacha Gervasi. And in the process, the film has made the group (led by Kudlow and Reiner — both founding members) a household name. But the group's story will certainly not end with the film.

According to RollingStone.com, ANVIL is currently re-recording several other classics with producer Chris Tsangarides, which will be included on a forthcoming "Anvil!" soundtrack. "What happened was the label that owns the old material wanted so much money to license the songs, that it became ridiculous," explained Lips. "In fact, it was far cheaper to go in and re-record in the same studio [Phase One], with the same producer, and re-do the songs. The new version of 'Forged in Fire' is amazing — I think the original version was played too fast. Remarkably, we're getting a second chance to record the songs."

Other freshly re-recorded tunes are "Winged Assassins", "March Of The Crabs", and "School Love". "It's going to be a true 'Best of Anvil', in a way," added Reiner.

Gary Graff of Billboard.com reports: Former members of PAPA ROACH, CHEVELLE and ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA have joined P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel in a new band, DAYLIGHT DIVISION (formerly INTERVIEW), that's posted two tracks online and is in the midst of writing and recording its first album.

"It's definitely exciting," Curiel tells Billboard.com, adding with a laugh that "it's like a new relationship — everything's all good in the beginning. But it really is awesome. Nobody is green in this band, y'know? We've all seen real highs and real lows. We're definitely bringing the things we've all learned in the past into this."

MEGADETH's new album, "Endgame", will be streamed in its entirety on the band's MySpace page starting later today (Thursday, September 10).

Due on September 15 via Roadrunner Records, "Endgame" was recorded at the band's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California — Vic's Garage — which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character.

"Endgame" track listing:

01. Dialectic Chaos
02. This Day We Fight!
03. 44 Minutes
04. 1,320'
05. Bite The Hand That Feeds
06. Bodies Left Behind
07. Endgame
08. The Hardest Part Of Letting Go... Sealed With A Kiss
09. Headcrusher
10. How the Story Ends
11. The Right To Go Insane

"Endgame" was helmed by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD).

MetalMachine.net conducted an interview with ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian this past weekend.

Regarding ANTHRAX's current status, Ian said, "We're playing the Loud Park festival in Tokyo [Japan] on October 17 with John Bush singing, and that's what's going on with ANTHRAX right now. There's really nothing else to say. John [who sang for ANTHRAX from 1992 until 2005] came back and did the Sonisphere show in England, and there was like 60 or 70 thousand people there losing their minds. [It was] our first time back on stage together in four years, and I would have to say, probably the best show I've ever played in the history of this band. There was so much emotion and so much energy and such an unbelievable wave of positive feeling from that audience at that show. Everything clicked, it was completely seamless, and it was like we had played with him the day before. It was just so amazing to have my partner back. And now John is committed to doing the show in Tokyo on October 17. And we're just taking things as they come at this point. I look at it this way: If it means that eventually we're back and this is the lineup again — from 'We've Come For You All' — then I'm a very happy person."

Ian also commented on the rumor that stemmed from a recent interview SLAYER guitarist Kerry King gave to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine in which King stated has heard through the grapevine that METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich is plotting a tour that would include METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX. Scott said, "There's this big rumor that we're gonna do METALLICA, ANTHRAX, SLAYER and MEGADETH next summer in Europe, and this is supposedly coming from the METALLICA camp. So whether it's true or not, I'm really excited about it, and I'll say right now that we will absolutely do it. So we're in. [laughs]"

Ireland's FOR RUIN has issued the following update;

"Drummer position has been filled. Thanks to those nationally and further afield who expressed an interest in playing with us.

"Pete Alcorn will play his first show with the band in Limerick in October before the album launch shows in Cork and Dublin.

"Pete is, without a doubt, the best drummer the band has played with and we look forward to people hearing how the new lineup sounds."

FOR RUIN will self-release its second album, "Last Light", on October 30. The CD was recorded earlier this year with producer Alwyn Walker at Komodo Mobile Studios and it features artwork (below) by Paul McCarroll who has previously worked with PRIMORDIAL, among others.

"Last Light" will be preceded by the release of a digital-only EP, "Enlightened", available through CDBaby in late September. The EP will contain new album tracks, a remixed older track and other material.

According to FOR RUIN, "Last Light" will be made "freely available" via the band's web sites upon its release, and high-quality and hard copies (CDs) of the album will be produced, along with other merchandise.

"Last Light" (cover)track listing:

01. Enlightened (instrumental)
02. Care Of The Dead
03. Decline
04. In Suffering
05. Solace
06. Recoil
07. Crawl (instrumental)
08. Deluge
09. Cold Call
10. Elysium

Two songs from the album — "In Suffering" and "Care of the Dead" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

FOR RUIN's debut album, "December", was released in October 2007 via Sentinel Records.

A seven-and-a-half-minute trailer for "The Voice Of Melodic Metal - Live In Atlanta", the recently released DVD from Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI, DRIVER, JOSHUA), can be viewed here. The disc was shot on September 27, 2008 at the ProgPower USA IX festival at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia and was made available in Europe on May 22 via AFM Records and in the U.S. on June 30 through Regain/KOCH. The set was issued as a CD and DVD/CD package.

Rob will promote "The Voice Of Melodic Metal" with an appearance at the ProgPower USA IX festival on September 11-12, 2009 in Atlanta. He will take part in a signing session on Friday, September 11 at 7:45 p.m. and will also perform as a guest singer with CRIMSON GLORY later that night.

Rob's first official DVD release since the "voice of melodic metal" began his 20-year singing career, "The Voice Of Melodic Metal - Live In Atlanta" includes bonus interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and selections from current and past bands, tours, rehearsals and concert footage that has been previously unreleased. This is also Rob's first-ever live CD and features song performances from his four acclaimed solo albums and other selections from his past studio recordings.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Garden Of Chaos
02. First Winds Of The End Of Time
03. Rock The Earth
04. In The Night
05. Slayer Of Souls
06. Judgment Day
07. Only A Matter Of Time
08. This Time Is The Last Time
09. Savior's Call
10. Metal Breed
11. I'm A Warrior

Check out the cover artwork here.

Rob's band for the ProgPower concert consisted of the following musicians:

Tracy Shell - Drums
CJ Grimmark (NARNIA) - Guitar
Andreas Olsson Passmark (DIVINEFIRE, NARNIA) - Bass
Peter Halgren - Guitar
Rob Rock - Vocals

ROB ROCK's latest solo album, "Garden of Chaos", was released in September 2007 through AFM Records. The CD was produced by ROB ROCK guitarist Carl-Johan Grimmark and co-produced by Roy Z (JUDAS PRIEST, BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD) and Rob Rock. Rob wrote seven of the 11 tracks with longtime partner Roy Z, and the other tracks were co-written by Rob with Gus G. (FIREWIND), Carl-Johan Grimmark, Bob Rossi, and Liza Rock. The album was mixed and mastered at Hansen Studios in Denmark by Jacob Hansen.