Yorkshire doom death metallers THE PROPHECY once again entered Priory Studios to record a one-off track that will be featured on Code 666 Records' ten-year anniversary CD, "Better Undead Than Alive 2", to be released later in the year.

THE PROPHECY is featured on the 2009 DVD Chronicles Of Doom" alongside REVEREND BIZARRE, SATURNUS, THE GATES OF SLUMBER and many more. The DVD was professionally shot in 2006 at the Dutch Doom Day and is available on Weird Truth Productions from Japan.

The band will be make an appearance at the Dublin Doom Day on September 12 alongside ESOTERIC, SATURNUS and THE LAMP OF THOTH.

THE PROPHECY's third album, "Into the Light", is currently available on Code666 Records.

EVANESCENCE frontwoman Amy Lee has issued the following update:

"There's been a lot of writing going on this summer and I'm starting to get really excited. My good friend Will happens to also be a great producer, writer and programmer (lucky for me!) and we've been slaving away at some pretty interesting stuff lately… I'm not giving anything away just yet.

"Terry [Balsamo, EVANESCENCE guitarist] and I have been working together this week at my place, just like old times, and life is pretty good.

"I have a little surprise for you that I can't spill just yet, but it's coming soon and I can't wait. I will let you know as soon as I'm allowed to!"

Lee released a statement in June in response to media reports surrounding the announcement that the band's former guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody had launched a new project called WE ARE THE FALLEN. Lee wrote at the time, "There's some pretty weird stuff flying around right now and I'd like to clear up some confusion in the press.

"As our fans already know, Ben Moody left EVANESCENCE in 2003. EVANESCENCE came out with a follow-up to 'Fallen' in 2006. It was called 'The Open Door' and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts and reached platinum status in just over a month. 'The Open Door' has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide.

"We're currently working on new material that I'm extremely excited about. I believe that to make great music you have to give yourself the freedom to evolve. I don't see the point in making the same record twice, so I always want to challenge myself to make something better, stronger, and more interesting than before. That takes time, but it's worth the wait for me. Hopefully, it will be for the fans too.

"Look out for new music next year..."

Ace Frehley (KISS), Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT), Aaron Lewis (STAIND), Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN, HELLYEAH), Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN, HELLYEAH) and Mikey Doling (SNOT, SOULFLY) are among the musicians who took part in an all-star jam yesterday (Sunday, August 16) at the fifth annual Ride For Dime, an annual charity remembrance ride and concert event held in memory of the victims of the December 2004 Alrosa Villa shooting ("Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Jeff Thompson, Nathan Bray and Erin Halk).

Watch video footage of the performance here and here.

Ride For Dime was first organized in 2005 by local Dallas members/moderators of DAMAGEPLAN's official forum as an event which would not only honor Dimebag Darrell, but also raise money to help with the massive expenses incurred by all of the victims that tragic night. The organizers have since shifted their donations to benefit a charity organization of the Abbott family's choice.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ridefordime.

German death metallers GRIND INC. will enter the Catacomb Productions studio on October 3 to begin recording their fourth album for an early 2010 release.

"The band recently parted ways with Thomas Strater (one of GRIND INC.'s two vocalists) due to "musical differences and circumstances of life."

GRIND INC. is not seeking a replacement singer and will continue as a four-piece.

GRIND INC.'s third album, "Sudden State of Hate", was released in 2008 via Twilight Vertrieb. The follow-up to 2006's "Inhale the Violence" was recorded at Ezy Soundz Studio in Krefeld with producer Carsten "Cazy" Schmidt and features artwork by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.com.

GRIND INC. started out in 2001 as a side project of HATE FACTOR and NIGHT IN GALES members. The point was "to make the most brutal music possible without neglecting groove and having shitloads of fun," according to the band's official bio.

The group's debut album, "Executed", was released in May 2005.

THE 11TH HOUR, the doom metal collaboration between Ed Warby (drums, guitar, bass, vocals, programming; GOREFEST, DEMIURG, HAIL OF BULLETS) and Rogga Johansson (vocals, additional guitar; RIBSPREADER, PAGANIZER, DEMIURG), will release its debut album, "Burden Of Grief", via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Oct. 28 – Finland, Spain
Oct. 30 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Benelux, France, Italy
Nov. 02 – Rest of Europe
Nov. 03 – USA, Canada


THE 11TH HOUR last year uploaded two tracks from its promotional recording, "The Origins Of Mourning", to MySpace. Check out the songs "One Last Smoke" and "Weep For Me" at this location.

According to the band's official bio, THE 11TH HOUR is "the wretched spawn of two kindred spirits' love for good old fashioned doom metal. In 2007 Ed and Rogga met on the Global Domination forums and made plans to do a doom project together. These plans were sidetracked when Ed joined Rogga's DEMIURG instead, but the seed was planted and every once in a while a nasty doomriff would find its way to Ed's fingers during one of his nocturnal writing and recording sessions. Slowly but surely these riffs were sculpted into six slabs of unbearable heaviness, as bleak and terrifying as the night that inspired them yet suffused with sadness and melancholy beauty. If all goes as planned these six entities will surface in the shape of a full-length album before the year is through."

The first photo of the 10th-anniversary box edition of SLIPKNOT's self-titled debut album can be viewed here. This special CD/DVD piece will commemorate the 10th anniversary of SLIPKNOT's first album's release in 1999. Release is set for September 9, 2009 (9/9/09). The CD will feature 25 tracks, including the original album as well as rare demos, remixes, rare B-sides and more.

The companion documentary, entitled "of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams", is packed with behind-the-scenes footage of SLIPKNOT from 1999. This never-before-seen hour-long piece was directed by percussionist M. Shawn Crahan, who combed through his vast archives to compile the definitive chronicle of this important time in SLIPKNOT's career. This inside look features both live and backstage footage from around the world. The DVD also features all the music videos from their debut cycle as well as other surprises.

"Slipknot" special-edition CD/DVD track listing:

01. 742617000027
02. (sic)
03. Eyeless
04. Wait And Bleed
05. Surfacing
06. Spit It Out
07. Tattered & Torn
08. Purity *
09. Liberate
10. Prosthetics
11. No Life
12. Diluted
13. Only One
14. Scissors
15. Eeyore
16. Me Inside
17. Get This *
18. Spit It Out (Hyper Version) *
19. Spit It Out (Stamp You Out Mix) *
20. (sic) (Molt-Injected Mix) *
21. Wait And Bleed (Terry Date Mix) *
22. Wait And Bleed (demo) *
23. Snap (demo) *
24. Interloper (demo) *
25. Despise (demo) *

* Bonus tracks

Bonus DVD:

* "of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams": A short film by M. Shawn Crahan giving a peek into the surreal and complex time around the release of SLIPKNOT's debut album. Also includes an entire never-before-seen live concert from Dynamo Open Air 2000 and music videos.

Music Videos:

* Spit It Out
* Wait And Bleed
* Wait And Bleed (animated version)
* Surfacing

The expanded package artwork includes never-before-published photos and a new foreword from vocalist Corey Taylor.

A deluxe collector's edition of this package, "Slipknot - 10 Years Of Life Death Love Hate Pain Scars Victory War Blood And Destruction", will also be released. Contents will be packaged in a special steel box and include SLIPKNOT 10th anniversary CD/DVD, a T-shirt, patch, collector's cards, keychain plus a few more surprises.

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, will headline the closing concert at this year's BlizzCon, which will take place August 21-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center. While tickets to the convention sold out in minutes, a live pay-per-view event will be available on DirecTV and via Internet stream.

The largest event of its kind, BlizzCon is a celebration of Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft game universes and the global player communities surrounding them. At the closing ceremony on August 22, Ozzy will unleash a thunderous spectacle of rock to put the Lich King in his place and cement his own title as the one true Prince of Darkness.

One of the most influential rock musicians of all time, Ozzy Osbourne rose to prominence as the lead vocalist for BLACK SABBATH before embarking on a multi-platinum solo career. He is also known for putting on the Ozzfest music festival and for starring in his own reality TV show. Ozzy Osbourne's career has spanned four decades and his music is as relevant today as ever. The Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has sold over 100 million albums worldwide — 50 with BLACK SABBATH and as many as a solo artist — and in 2003 was honored with a star on Hollywood Boulevard's "Walk of Fame." This is his second collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, following a recent TV spot for World of Warcraft.

"Our goal with BlizzCon is to deliver an unforgettable weekend of entertainment, and we can't think of a better way to close out this year's show than having Ozzy rock the house," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "Many of us at Blizzard are lifelong fans of Ozzy's music, and we're thrilled that he'll be performing for all of our BlizzCon attendees as well as those joining us via DirecTV and the live Internet stream."

In addition to serving as a gathering place for the different Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, BlizzCon will offer an array of activities, including discussion panels, hands-on playtime with upcoming games, contests, tournaments showcasing the skills of top eSports gamers from around the world, and more. While tickets to the convention are currently sold out, the live pay-per-view event can still be ordered for $39.95 USD, and is available via DirecTV and Internet stream (pricing and availability may vary by region). Visit www.blizzcon.com for more details and ordering information.

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on August 3, 28-year-old Greek guitarist Gus G. (FIREWIND) is rumored to have been tapped to play with Ozzy at the BlizzCon convention. It should be noted, however, that this information has not yet been corroborated by anyone in the Osbourne camp and should be treated as a rumor only.

In addition to his current axe-slinging duties with FIREWIND, Gus (real name: Kostas Karamitroudis) has played in MYSTIC PROPHECY, NIGHTRAGE, ARCH ENEMY and DREAM EVIL.

Turku, Finland-based metallers BLIND STARE have made demo versions of three new songs — "The List", "Daughter of the Sun" and "Mind's Armor" — available for download on their official web site.

You can also download it here: "The List", "Daughter of the Sun", "Mind's Armor".

BLIND STARE's debut album, "Symphony of Delusions", was released in 2005 via Arise Records. The CD was recorded at the Noisecamp/Musamuusa studios and featured artwork by Jan Yrlund from Danse Macabre.

A new MEGADETH track entitled "1,320'" is available for streaming at the U.K. Roadrunner Records web site. It can also be heard in the YouTube clip below.

Commented MEGADETH drummer Shawn Drover: "I remember hearing the riffs for this tune from Dave's [Mustaine] 'Pandora's box of metal riffs,' KNOWING that this song had to be on the record. I really like the overall punk vibe the song has (I was a huge hardcore punk fan back in the day — D.R.I., CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER and the lot; I still am to this day) and I knew that a big sector of our fanbase would dig this song. Like I have said previously, 'Endgame' [the new MEGADETH album] covers a lot of musical ground in metal and '1,320'' is just another example of that. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH has issued the following update:

"Trainwreck!

"Yes, what that headline means is basically 'code' for fucking up during a show, which is what happened to us yesterday at the Summer Breeze festival [in Dinkelsbühl, Germany].

"I guess we'll be able to laugh about this in a few years. Or maybe not. Horrible and embarrassing it was, I tell you.

"Everything was perfect, set for a fantastic show. We're headlining the whole event and right before we went on stage we're pumped. Really! Crowd was screaming, going crazy, and as the intro started running....yes, magic in the air!

"Walking on stage, I was blown away by the amount of people there. It looked as if the every people at the fest was there to see us. Amazing! Very powerful sight indeed.

"Then as we go into 'Heir Apparent', I notice the following:

1: My stage sound is horrible,
2: Why can't I hear Fredrik [Åkesson, guitar] and
3: What the fuck!?

"I start nodding to our monitor guy to get Fredrik's guitar up. Then I kinda glance over to Fred to see what's up. Now, I see our guitar tech running around like a monkey around Fred's amp. It's fucked up. His guitar is not even there. It's dead silent! Fuck! Normally I start fast-forwarding the song in my head to see if he has any breaks on his own...stuff I might have to play instead, while also trying to play good and remember the lyrics. Fuck...Yes, there's a part he plays on his own! Gahhhh! For some reason, his guitar kicks in for that part (which is clean guitar) and then cuts out again as the distortion comes back on. Fuck!

"The whole song is done with only my guitar and by now we've lost the plot. I virtually wanna walk off stage. But we hang in there. Unfortunately....

"Some time before 'Ghost', we play an impromtu version of 'Soldier Of Fortune', only that there's no guitars (since we have the open tuning guitars on us), there's no bass (Mendez forgot the song) and overall it's... not... good! There's also some strange funk jam between Mendez and Axe [drums] going on which is absolutely horrible since they can't hear each other at all. Sounds like they're playing a 'groove' on their own. But... it doesn't groove.

"I believe there was a desperate drum stick dropping drum solo somewhere as well.

"Next song, 'Ghost Of Perdition', is done with some fucking shit sound the managed to get through Fred's amp and the song sounds horrrible and loose from start to finish. Shit. Fuck, Cunt. Fuck!

"After this abomination of a version, Fred leans over and says, 'Talk some shit, I'll be up and running properly soon.' So I talk some shit, then goes into a half-assed version of 'Harvest', asking the crowd to sing. Now, all of a sudden we're faced with the following: No-one's singing. Couldn't they hear me? They don't know the words? They wanna see me sweat? So it's basically a (horrible) instrumental version of the song which kinda falls apart after a verse and a chorus, to little or no applause. I might add. Gulp! I'm not sure whether the 30,000 people out there hates us by now or what. I just wanna get done and go home! Haha!

"To be honest, round about now we start gluing things back together and the remaining part of the set goes back to 'normal,' more or less, only that I guess our faces look disillusioned and 'sad,' haha!

"Anyways, the crowd slowly gets back into it and by the end it's....nice, I guess.

"We had people coming up to us and say it was great, fantastic. I've no idea but it's the single most embarrassing show we've done with this lineup so far. We always 'deliver,' but this time technical problems had us looking like wankers. So basically we just wanna say sorry to the fans who saw us there expecting (and rightfully so) a professional show. It wasn't, but as I said, maybe we'll laugh about it in....200 years.

"The town/village where we had our hotel was absolutely stunning, by the way. Dinkelsbühl was the name of that town and I suggest you visit. Beautiful!

"Anyways, we just got back home. The cabdriver who drove us was drunk and probably had the swine flu.

"Anyways, we'll crawl back under the rocks to lick our wounds, so hopefully we'll be back on form for the next show which is on Thursday...in Belgium I believe. Mussels and Duvel, here we come!

"Take care my friends and wipe that smirk off yer faces, will ya? I know you think the above was funny..."

The cover artwork for the much-anticipated new KISS album, "Sonic Boom", can be viewed below. The CD will be released on October 6 in the U.S. and Canada exclusively via Wal-Mart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club retail locations.

"Sonic Boom", produced by guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley in Los Angeles, is the centerpiece of a three-disc set that also features a completely re-recorded greatest hits CD (previously available in Japan) as well as a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band's recent, record-breaking KISS Alive 35 South American tour. The CD set will retail for $12, with pre-orders starting in September on Walmart.com.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons says, "'Sonic Boom' may be the best new record we've done since 'Destroyer'! It is 'Rock And Roll Over' meets 'Love Gun'. The world's biggest retailer had better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October 6!"

Stanley adds, "Through all of the albums that are considered our classics, we tried to always find ways to give our fans extras that went beyond just the music. Besides our making the best KISS album in decades, Wal-Mart has made it possible for us to include a bonus CD with 15 of our most famous songs and an additional live DVD, shot during our recent concert in Buenos Aires. So in every sense, 'Sonic Boom' is the ultimate return to classic KISS form. You wanted the best, you got the best!"

Wal-Mart, one of America's largest music retailers, is finalizing its exciting plans now for its in-store and online destinations for KISS fans surrounding the launch of the new album and tour, and will host various KISS products in addition to their music in its stores this fall. More details on Wal-Mart KISS activity, announcements regarding album pre-sales, sweepstakes and KISS appearances will be shared shortly.

"Sonic Boom" track listing:

01. Modern Day Delilah
02. Russian Roulette
03. Never Enough
04. Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)
05. Stand
06. Hot And Cold
07. All For The Glory
08. Danger Us
09. I'm An Animal
10. When Lightning Strikes
11. Say Yeah

Re-recorded KISS classics:

01. Deuce
02. Detroit Rock City
03. Shout It Out Loud
04. Hotter Than Hell
05. Calling Dr. Love
06. Love Gun
07. I Was Made For Lovin' You
08. Heaven's On Fire
09. Lick It Up
10. I Love It Loud
11. Forever
12. Christine Sixteen
13. Do You Love Me?
14. Black Diamond
15. Rock And Roll All Nite

KISS bonus live DVD track listing:

01. Deuce
02. Hotter Than Hell
03. C'mon And Love Me
04. Watchin' You
05. 100,000 Years
06. Rock & Roll All Nite

A one-minute audio sample of "Modern Day Delilah" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:

"It has been a fun run while it lasted, I love every one of you that ordered the coffees and stuff, but all good things must come to an end, and the end is near for Dave Mustaine's coffee. I have done my share with helping Net Worth Coffee Brokers [the company launched by Dave's wife, Pam Mustaine] and helping the Door of Faith charity, and now I am going to look for something new and exciting to do again.

"Net Worth Coffee Brokers will continue to roast and sell the most awesome coffees around, so if you are looking for my stuff, it is going to be phased out soon. I will tell you when, but suffice to say, so that they don't ever sit on stale inventory, there is no inventory; they fill your order almost right after you make it. Until then . . . Be sure to continue to support Net Worth Coffee Brokers, and stay tuned for 'What in the world is next as we continue . . . with the Daves of our Lives!'

"But seriously, folks, thank you all so very much for believing in this and for supporting the charities; it meant the world to me. We are going to continue to fill orders for the existing members and then it's off to find something awesome and start this all over again!!"

"A Bleak Reflection" as the title of its second album, tentatively due before the end of the year. The CD was produced by Fernando Pereira Lopes (MISANTHROPE, ORAKLE) and DE PROFUNDIS and was mixed at Russ Russell's Parlour Studios in July. Guitarist Roman Subbotin states, "[the new album] represents a significant moment for our musical evolution. We've all worked really hard and, in my humble opinion, achieved rather spectacular results."

"A Bleak Reflection" track listing:

01. The Ephemeral Burden
02. Ablaze In Autumn’s Fire
03. Nocturnal Splendour
04. Cease To Be
05. Crimson Black Bleeding
06. Cold Is The Grave
07. Longing
08. The Mourner

DE PROFUNDIS recently signed a licensing deal with Sony BMG Entertainment to release the group's debut album, "Beyond Redemption", in India. The CD, originally self-released by the band in 2007, has gone on to receive international acclaim and has helped DE PROFUNDIS land major festival slots, including MMD Festival 2008 in Athens, Greece and Bloodstock Open Air 2008 in the U.K. In February 2009, DE PROFUNDIS supported IRON MAIDEN at Bangalore's Rock in India festival.

GOD SEED — the Norwegian band featuring former GORGOROTH members King (bass; real name: Tom Cato Visnes) and Gaahl (vocals; real name: Kristian Espedal) — has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"It has been rumored that Gaahl and King have disbanded GOD SEED. However, this is not the case. Gaahl has chosen to retire from metal music. It should not be assumed that this decision has anything to do with Gaahl and King's working relationship. Gaahl has made this decision for his own personal artistic reasons."

Commented King in a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "There is no drama and there is no bad blood between us; Gaahl just wants a break from metal. GOD SEED will be frozen and I'm prepared to pick it up again when the time is right. Meanwhile, I will focus on other musical projects."

Gaahl and King lost a court battle in early 2009 against guitarist Infernus (real name: Roger Tiegs) over the rights to the GORGOROTH band name.

Speaking to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine, King stated about his band's decision to use the name GOD SEED, "It's actually strange because there's lots of excitement, of course, around it. Because we are starting a new era and changing the name, there's a big symbolic value in doing that — but at the same time it's strange because we've worked under the GORGOROTH banner for so many years. Since dramatically nothing is changing on our part, it's the same thing, me and Gaahl making music and working, so the same things are happening behind the scenes. It's just that we are not using the GORGOROTH name anymore."

Swedish "death 'n' roll" band THE GENERALS will release its debut album, "Stand Up Straight", on November 7 via Metalcentral Records. The CD was recorded at Sunlight Studios with producer Tomas Skogsberg (ENTOMBED, THE HELLACOPTERS, DISMEMBER) and features cover artwork by Kristian Wåhlin (BATHORY, KING DIAMOND, AT THE GATES).

An unmastered version of the song "Blessing in Disguise" — taken from the upcoming album — is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

THE GENERALS are:

Hedna (BRUTE) - Vocals/Bass
Rickard - Lead Guitar
Dick - Guitar/Vocals
MetalMartin (INVASION) - Drums

A four-minute video trailer for "On This Perfect Day", the debut album from AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen's new project, GUILT MACHINE, can be viewed below.

The CD will be released via Mascot Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: August 28
Rest of Europe: August 31
North America: September 29

The artwork was created by Christophe Dessaigne, a talented new artist whom Arjen discovered (quite by chance) while browsing Flickr. Coincidentally, it turned out that Chris is an AYREON fan, and was thrilled beyond belief when Arjen asked him to do the artwork! The GUILT MACHINE logo and packaging layout were created by Thomas Ewerhard.

"On This Perfect Day" will be released in three different editions:

* Limited-edition 32-page digibook (CD + DVD)
* Special-edition digipack 24-page booklet (CD + DVD)
* Regular-edition jewel case, 24-page booklet (CD only)

Limited-edition digibook track listing:

CD (all editions):

01. Twisted Coil (11:43)
02. Leland Street (8:03)
03. Green and Cream (10:32)
04. Season of Denial (10:22)
05. Over (6:11)
06. Perfection? (10:46)

DVD (limited and special editions only):

Audio bonus tracks:

01. The Stranger Song (L. Cohen) - vocals Jasper (4:53)
02. Michelangelo (J. Campbell) - vocals Arjen (3:23)
03. Fan Messages (8:14)
04. Perfection? - guide vocals Arjen (9:37)
05. Twisted Coil - radio edit (4:17)
06. Pull me out of the Dark - radio edit (Green and Cream) (3:36)
07. Over - radio edit (3:56)

Video:

01. Trailer "On this Perfect Day" (4:33)
02. Making of the Trailer (3:44)
03. Interview with GUILT MACHINE (40:03)

GUILT MACHINE is:

Arjen Lucassen: Instruments, Backing Vocals
Jasper Steverlinck (ARID): Vocals
Chris Maitland (ex-PORCUPINE TREE): Drums
Lori Linstruth (ex-STREAM OF PASSION): Lead Guitar

ORDER OF ENNEAD, the Florida extreme metal band featuring Steve Asheim (drums; DEICIDE), Scott Patrick (bass; RESURRECTION), Kevin Quirion (guitar, vocals; COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN) and John Li (guitar), has issued the following update:

"We are taking a break right now after touring for nine weeks on our self-titled debut album for Earache Records. We do plan on recording our next album before the end of the year, just waiting for some info from the label before we get started. The album is already done in pre-production form so the studio 'should be' a smooth experience. We plan on using Audiohammer Studios [in Sanford, Florida] again with Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, TRIVIUM) pressing buttons and yelling at us. The cover will be handled by Patrick Pidoux, who plays drums in Swiss band SLUDGE and also did the cover for SAMAEL's 'Above' album."

ORDER OF ENNEAD's forthcoming sophomore album, "An Examination Of Being", will feature the following track listing:

01. This Mortal Journey
02. Conduits To Eternity
03. Scriptures Of Purification
04. Lies Upon The Lips Of Judas
05. A Portal To Rapture
06. A Betrayal Of Self
07. ...In The Mirror
08. Concepts Of Our Extinction
09. An Examination Of Being

Vocalist Alan "Nemtheanga" Averill of Irish dark metal masters PRIMORDIAL has issued the following update:

"We are in a period of purgatory. The kind we are well used to, where that time is upon us to start thinking about a new album. The gigs and festivals offers still come in, but what everyone is waiting for is news of some new PRIMORDIAL songs.

"I won't lie, it's been hard as we now live far away from each other and we had always been against sending sound files and writing outside of the rehearsal room, but necessity might become the mother of invention.

"There were some bare bones exhumed at the last rehearsal and we all know they must become our priority as another grey and rainy summer comes to an end. That's all I can really say at the moment…

"'Journey's End' is now done and dusted and should be available very soon. It comes with a bonus live disc from our very first small tour outside of Ireland back in 1999 in Portugal. It's very rough and raw and we haven't changed a thing.

"For the curious and completists among you, you'll find variations of songs that ended up on 'Spirit the Earth Aflame' with different lyrics, arrangements and altered titles. Next up is 'Spirit'.

"Bang Your Head!!! festival was a resounding success. We weren't exactly sure how the AOR and mainstream rock crowd would take to us and I'm sure when I walked out most of the uninitiated thought they were going to get a set of blasting DARK FUNERAL-style black metal, but appearances can be deceptive and under the scorching sun we definitely came, saw and quietly conquered. It does show me the diversity of the bands appeal that we can play on the same bill as JOURNEY and Y&T and come out unscathed and then play with underground necro black and death metal bands. Like we are doing with our comrades in arms DESTROYER 666 this coming weekend in Finland...

"After Finland, there is one more in Ireland and a final confirmed show in Dudley/Birmingham before we have completely played our hand this year. As I said, before songwriting has to be the priority once Finland is done and dusted. We all know this and have been in the position many times before and although now there is a great weight of expectation for the first time since the last album we will try and ignore it as much as we can. If it can come out before next summer, then we will aim for that…if it isn't ready, then rest assured we won't pull the iron from the fire before it's hot. Or whatever metal sounding analogy you wish for. ....

"One thing which has become almost impossible to ignore is the rapid and drastic changes in the music industry. No one can be certain but it's hard not to feel the writing might be on the wall for the old work practices of the major labels. Some of the power has moved back to the smaller labels thriving in a committed and burgeoning underground as people move away from the forced and instant nature of much of the modern metal scene back to the heart of it all. Which is trading, dealing directly with the band or seller and old-fashioned word of mouth via the net! Balancing the books as sales plummet is going to be harder and harder. ....

"Bands are also going to have to realise that for the most part the age of rock stars, the format of classic albums and most definitely the age of making money from selling albums through the machinations of the major set ups unless you are in the lucky 1% will become impossible. Bands are going to have to diversify and multi task in many forms of media if they are going to be able to facilitate going on tour or making any kind of revenue. Ingenuity and invention are going to be watchwords for any kind of success or longevity.....

"Where does this leave PRIMORDIAL? We make no excuses for not being at the cutting edge of technology. We come from a different generation, but we are going to hopefully address some of these issues over the coming months and begin to start doing some things for ourselves. This does not jeopardise our position with Metal Blade in any way but I think label, band and fans also need to realise that to allow a band like us some freedom and space there has to be some mutual understanding. Direct limited editions, with some care and attention from the band are possibly the only way that a band like us, and many bands can make anything from selling music anymore. If fans understand that and want something special, crafted and made by band directly, then it can be mutually beneficial. For this we are thankful we have some history, longevity and dedicated fans we have because we all have to adapt. So keep your eyes and ears open in 2010 as we might have some interesting ideas.....

"One of the first of these is hopefully a split 10" with our Greek brethren ROTTING CHRIST. Agreed in 2008, we are finally making a move on this and hopefully we can make something very special for all old school people out there. If this is successful we might start pressing on vinyl some of our own older albums we are currently re-releasing on CD through Metal Blade.

"Finally to the DVD…we have received the first cut of the show we filmed earlier in the year and I have to say it looks incredible. We shot it on tape, or analogue and it really shows. It has a rich tone I've hardly ever seen on any metal show and is shot in a very different style. I think we have really captured the PRIMORDIAL live essence. Most DVD at least to me are quite staid, safe and something you'll only ever watch once. This cuts, freezes and stills at a frightening pace sometimes that I think will disorientate people who are used to the live sound desk/from the photo pit/free festival filming style but is absolutely live. It will be something very special to own, on this you have our word. We are about to start filming a small documentary about the band and editing some very old archive footage for the bonus discs."

Metal Injection has posted video footage of Irish dark metal masters PRIMORDIAL performing at the Crocodile Rock in Allentown, Pennsylvania on May 2, 2009 as part of the Paganfest tour. Watch the clip below.

PRIMORDIAL will reissue its 1998 "Journey's End" album on September 1 in Europe via Metal Blade Records (August 29 in Germany, Switzerland and Austria). This deluxe reissue features the remastered version of "Journey's End" plus a high-quality live recording of the band's December 9, 1999 concert in Lisbon, Portugal. It comes as a double digipak package in a precious black linen slipcase with glossy golden hot foil print, containing a six-page digipak with the original artwork, the two discs and a 16-page booklet with new liner notes and additional photos.

"Journey's End" track listing:

01. Graven Idol
02. Dark Song
03. Autumn’s Ablaze
04. Journey’s End
05. Solitary Mourner
06. Bitter Harvest
07. An Aistear Deirneach

Bonus CD - Live At The Ritz, Lisbon, Portugal, December 9, 1999:

01. Infernal Summer
02. The Calling
03. Journeys End
04. Children Of The Harvest
05. The Burning Season
06. The Purging Fire (Gods To The Godless)
07. Autumns Ablaze
08. Let The Sun Set On Life Forever
09. Graven Idol
10. To Enter Pagan

Swedish death/thrashers IMPIOUS will release their new album, "Death Domination", in Europe on November 6 via Metal Blade Records. Release dates for other territories have not yet been announced. 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.

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.

A widget for CALIBAN's seventh album, "Say Hello To Tragedy", is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. Due in Europe on August 24 via Century Media Records (one day later in the U.S.), the follow-up to 2007's "The Awakening" was once again produced by Benny Richter, co-produced by guitarist Marc Goertz and was mixed by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz.

"Say Hello To Tragedy" (cover) will be available in the following formats:

* CD jewelcase
* Limited digipack with alternative dyecut cover plus two bonus tracks ("Forsaken Horizon" and "Between The Worlds", recorded live at Germany's With Full Force festival in 2008) and CD enhancement ("24 Years" live clip, interview, photo gallery)
- LP + CD (the entire limited-edition CD)
- Digital download

"The Only One", the first single from THE WILDHEARTS' ninth studio album, "Chutzpah!", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The band has also released "The Snake, The Lion, The Monkey And The Spider", an exclusive non-album track which will be available for free download shortly.

"Chutzpah!" is scheduled for release on August 31 via Backstage Alliance (distributed through Cargo).

Recorded in Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, THE BRONX, THE STORM), "Chutzpah!" is described by lead singer Ginger as "unlike any [LP] that we've made so far." Bassist Scott Sorry added, "This album is not only my favorite WILDHEARTS record, but it's one of my favorite records to have ever been a part of."

"Chutzpah!" track listing:

01. The Jackson Whites
02. Plastic Jebus
03. The Only One
04. John Of Violence
05. You Are Proof That Not All Women Are Insane
06. Tim Smith
07. Low Energy Vortex
08. You Took The Sunshine From New York
09. Mazel Tov Cocktail
10. Chutzpah

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH were forced to cut their set short last night (Saturday, August 15) at the Bloodstock Open Air festival in Derbyshire, England after guitarist Paul Allender was hit by an object thrown by a member of the audience, resulting in Paul being unable to finish the performance and requiring medical attention.

A BLABBERMOUTH.NET user by the name of "metalfanBKP" has submitted the following eyewitness account from the event:

"I am writing in to say what happened during the CRADLE OF FILTH set last night at Bloodstock. I am still absolutely appalled at the incident and feel that the official statement from Bloodstock organisers issued last night does not full portray the seriousness of the incident.

"I was standing in the second row, just in front of the centre of the stage, so I had a clear view of everything.

"Even before Paul Allender got hit by the missile, the band already had to dodge bottles and cups thrown at them. Dani Filth [CRADLE vocalist] at one point remarked, that 'if you are going to throw things at us, make sure they are full!' Up to that point, this was nothing out of the ordinary, however unpleasant this must have been for the band.

"However, during the sixth or seventh song of the set, when the both guitarists were not playing and were standing at the back of the stage with their backs turned to the audience (as members of COF seem to always do when they are not playing), someone threw a large object that hit Paul Allender in the lower back. He grimaced and put his hand to his back, immediately leaving the stage. The rest of the band continued playing the song without him and, eventually, they all left the stage.

"After about 10 minutes of silence, the organisers had announced that a missile thrown at the band had injured one of the band members and that the band would not continue. This happened approximately 35 minutes into an 80-minute set that COF was expected to play.

"Having spoken to the security at the front after the crowd began to disperse, I found out that Paul was actually taken to hospital (which accounted for the sound of ambulance sirens that was heard) and that the object thrown was, in fact, a 'gobstopper,' which is like a giant golf ball. It is incredibly dense and very heavy; if it had hit someone on the head, one of these objects could actually be lethal. What is more, three or more of these 'gobstoppers' had been found on the stage, which would indicate that someone actually targeted the band and that the missile hitting Paul Allender was not just a one-off.

"I do not know if Paul Allender was targeted purposefully for whatever reason, but the missile hit him as he was standing far away from the edge of the stage, with his back turned, which would suggest that the object was at least thrown in his direction.

"In these circumstances, as the Bloodstock announcer had said, 'the band could not continue for security reasons.' As far as I know, as of yesterday evening, the culprit was not yet found. The festival security did seem pretty relaxed with no obvious checks or searches taking place of those entering the arena and it looks like COF might have paid the price for this."

Czech Republic-based technical death metallers PANDEMIA have completed work on their fourth album, "Feet Of Anger", at Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (DEW-SCENTED, CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT). 12 songs were recorded for the effort, which is due in November via War Anthem Records. The CD will include a bonus track — a cover song from the band KRABATHOR, featuring a guest appearance by Big Boss from ROOT.

PANDEMIA was formed in 1995 by Matthew, Alex, Jarda and Pavel. They have released three full-length albums and and one DVD and have toured with U.D.O., NEVERMORE, SOILWORK, THERION, INCANTATION and many more.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/pandemia.

Video footage of DEATHDESTRUCTION — the new Swedish metal "supergroup" featuring members of EVERGREY, HAMMERFALL and DEAD BY APRIL — performing the song "Mark My Words" in the group's rehearsal studio can be viewed below.

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

Jimmie Strimell (DEAD BY APRIL) - Vocals
Henrik Danhage (EVERGREY) - Guitar
Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
Jonas Ekdahl (EVERGREY) - Drums

ALICE COOPER's previously announced December 11, 2009 concert at Finland's Tampere Areena has been cancelled on "religious grounds." The venue's president/CEO, Harry Wiherkoski, is quoted as saying in the Finnish media, "We don't arrange concerts where Satanism or non-god-worshipping occurs."

According to Wiherkoski, Cooper's appearance at the Areena was first arranged earlier in the summer over the telephone, but the artist's identity wasn't revealed at the time of the booking. When Wiherkoski found out that Cooper was the artist that was looking to appear at the venue, the deal to stage the concert wasn't signed. Now the promoters are seeking a new venue for Cooper's performance, which is believed to be Barona Arena in Espoo.

"We've passed on this piece of information to Mr. Cooper. We are now awaiting his approval of the new arrangements," Kalle Keskinen of Speed Promotion is quoted as saying.

The news of Cooper's Tampere concert cancellation was first reported by the Finnish radio station Radio 957.