"Vigilance", the sophomore album from Canadian metallers THREAT SIGNAL, has had its European release date (via Nuclear Blast Records) pushed back to September 11 from the previously announced August 28.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Afterlife
02. Through My Eyes
03. The Beginning Of The End
04. United We Stand
05. Beyond Recognition
06. Another Source Of Light
07. Hate Machine
08. Severed
09. Lost
10. Revision
11. In Repair
12. Escape From Reality
13. To Remember

Check out the cover artwork here.

Two songs from the album — "Beyond Recognition" and "The Beginning Of The End" are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

THREAT SIGNAL has just completed a headlining tour with THE AGONIST, FLATLINE and THY WILL BE DONE. Dubbed the "Road to Revision", the run will be followed by another headlining trek this July with THE AUTUMN OFFERING, THE AGONIST and SYBREED. During this tour, THREAT SIGNAL will be debuting material from "Vigilance".

In a recent interview with Spine Language blog, Jon Howard stated about THREAT SIGNAL's decision to play new, as-yet-unreleased material as part of the band's current live performance, "We feel that we've been playing the same show for too long. We've been playing songs from 'Under Reprisal' for almost five years! The reactions have been amazing so far. Sometimes it feels as if they know the songs already! So with that said we have totally broken the rule. We are playing five songs from the new album, 'Vigilance", and six from 'Under Reprisal'. So you get a good blend of new and old. I think people are craving new shit, so even if they do stand and nod their head, I don't care, I know they are just taking it all in!!"

"Last Look At Eden", the new album from Swedish hard rockers EUROPE, will be released in Germany on September 18 via earMUSIC/Edel Germany GmbH.

Check out the CD artwork here.

EUROPE has just released the "Last Look At Eden" single — the title track from the band's forthcoming album. It was made available as a three-track CD single (released in Scandinavia on June 10) and limited-edition collector's five-track digipack (European release scheduled for June 26).

EUROPE fans living outside Europe who wish to download the single can do so by visiting the EUROPE MP3 store.

The three-song CD single features the following track listing:

01. Last Look At Eden (4:11)
02. U Devil U (3:52)
03. Last Look At Eden (radio edit) (3:59)

Check out audio samples at this location.

EUROPE's video for "Last Look At Eden" can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Gothenburg with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES) of Revolver Film Company. The band says, "We chose to work with Patric after seeing his work with IN FLAMES, amongst others."

LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — will release a new EP, "My Destiny" (cover), on July 24 via Napalm Records.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. My Destiny
02. The Battle of Maldon (non-album track)
03. Scarborough Fair (acoustic version; non-album track)
04. Northbound
05. Nine Wave Maidens (non-album track)
06. My Destiny (remix; non-album track)

According to a posting on the Napalm web site, "The sweeping title track begins with an emotive and mystic interlude that soon turns into sonorous ear candy — a true delicacy for all fans of symphonic rock music. The opulently produced orchestral and choir-filled compositions resonate with a fresh, powerful, and energy laden force. As always the case with LEAVES' EYES, expect the ensuing tempest with its impressive musical variety and dynamics to emphasize the band's world-class status, including 'The Battle of Maldon' and 'Northbound', two smashing tracks to be found on the EP. With the acoustic version of 'Scarborough Fair', familiar to some fans from past unplugged shows, and the atmospheric 'Nine Wave Maidens' the tone takes a more subdued turn. Liv Kristine once again bewitches the listener with her one-of-a-kind vocals and the package is completed with a remix of the title track."

LEAVES' EYES' new full-length album, "Njord", is scheduled for release on August 28 via Napalm.

"We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia", the new DVD from LEAVES' EYES, recently entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 75 (German chart rules allow music DVDs to enter album charts). The set also landed on the Swedish music DVD chart at No. 15.

"We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia" has "a total playing time of approximately six hours," according to a press release. "The first disc comprises 'We Came With The Northern Winds', a band documentary with a running time of two hours. The movie highlights the band's career and offers fans an exclusive and intimate glimpse into the world of LEAVES' EYES, as well as presenting the viewer with impressions of past tours (222 concerts spanning over four continents and 34 countries). The second disc documents LEAVES' EYES' memorable headlining gig on October 20, 2007 at the Metal Female Voices Fest in Wieze, Belgium. The show featured the legendary Viking longboat stage set, as well as a setlist full of fan favorites. The package also delivers a double audio CD of the show as a special bonus."

"We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia" was released as a deluxe eight-panel DVD digipack and slipcase as well as in CD format as a deluxe eight-panel digipack and slipcase.

"The Eternal Return", the fifth full-length record from Washington D.C.-based metallers DARKEST HOUR, will be streamed in its entirety on the band's MySpace page beginning tonight (Friday, June 19) at midnight EST.

"The Eternal Return" will be released on June 23 via Victory Records. The CD was produced by Brian McTernan (SENSES FAIL, THRICE, FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES) at his Baltimore, Maryland studio, Salad Days.

"The Eternal Return" track listing:

01. Devolution Of The Flesh
02. Death Worship
03. The Tides
04. No God
05. Bitter
06. Blessed Infection
07. Transcendence
08. A Distorted Utopia
09. Black Sun
10. Into The Grey

Finnish gothic metallers CHARON have issued the following update:

"We have together decided to take some time out from songwriting and album production. As from today we are taking a two-month break from CHARON to keep things meaningful and to search for relaxation and less stressed creative inspiration. We will continue writing songs in August when we will think through our working methods and scan for potential partners. A small break after 15 years of hard work gives all of us a great possibility to do other things and look at things from a distance.

"After the release of 'Songs for the Sinners', the last album for Spinefarm, we played intensively around Finland and Europe for two years. After extensive touring we have worked countless hours to make the next and the best CHARON album ever. The last two years have gone by really fast and at the same time emerging writer’s block has not made it easy for us. Lately we have felt that we have lost the ability to write great songs and playing has become forced. We want to be honest in all our work to ourselves and to our fans — and to make an album that we can stand behind. We will not settle for anything less. In addition, personal reasons and other music projects have had their influence on the pace of working.

"During the break, CHARON will not play any shows in Finland or elsewhere. Playing the same setlist all over again has been a burden to us since we want to offer our fans the best experience on shows as well. We will return to the stage 8 August in Raahe, Finland and 4 September at the AngraRock festival in the Azores, Portugal."

According to the World Entertainment News Network, SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has heaped praise on Internet singing sensation and "Britain's Got Talent" runner-up Susan Boyle, saying she's "incredible."

Taylor stated he was mesmerized when he watched Boyle's first appearance on "Britain's Got Talent" earlier this year .

"Susan Boyle is incredible," he said. "Somebody told me about the show and I said, 'I have got to see this — 'I Dreamed A Dream', are you kidding me?' I put it on and she was fantastic. The people on that panel were in tears! When Susan leans into it, she's great."

And Taylor is convinced Boyle's recent meltdown, which saw her admitted to a rehab clinic suffering from exhaustion, only added to her charm. He said, "She's a little bit crazy, but aren't we all? Anyone who's worth their salt is a little bit bent out of shape."

Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW — whose "very special" ESP custom shop Star guitar (pictured here) was stolen on April 29, 2009 when someone broke into the group's tour bus following the band's performance in Montreal, Quebec, Canada — have issued the following update:

"Finally the news about Janne's [Perttilä] stolen guitar!

"It was brought to a pawn shop in Montreal by some junkie last week. The guitar is in great condition with flightcase and all. Well, maybe a couple of Janne's socks could be missing, but that really doesn't matter as the axe itself is worth 3000 euros!

"We've taken actions to get it out and shipped to Finland.

"Many thanks and 666 hails goes to the nice dude in the shop who immediately recognized the guitar and sent this good news to us."

MOONSORROW will play its first-ever show in Poland on September 13 at the Baltic Folk & Roots Festival in Stettin.

MOONSORROW's latest EP, "Tulimyrsky" (Firestorm), came out in April 2008 via Spikefarm Records. The CD contains over 60 minutes of music, including a cover version of METALLICA's "For Whom The Bell Tolls".

The band's most recent album, "Viides Luku – Hävitetty", was released in North America in April 2007 via Unruly Sounds/The End Records. The CD — 56 minutes of music comprised from two songs — continues to place the group as one of the forerunners of the folk/viking metal scene due in part to their extensive use of folklore and pagan elements in their music and imagery.

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN were honored with the "Golden God" and "Best UK Band" awards at last night's Metal Hammer Golden Gods event, which was held at the IndigO2 venue in South London, England.

SLIPKNOT also picked up two awards — "Best International Band" and "Best Live Band" — while DEF LEPPARD won the Legends gong.

Metal Hammer publisher Chris Ingham says, "With the launch of the Revolver Golden God Awards in Los Angeles this year, the Golden Gods have made the final transition to become the most important rock and metal awards in the world. We have always been proud defenders of the faith in the U.K. and we'll continue to honor the metal greats no matter what."

The full list of winners is as follows:

Best New Band: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
Best Underground Band: BEHEMOTH
Best Metal Label: Roadrunner
Spirit Of Metal: SAXON
The Dimebag Darrel Shredder Award: Herman Li/Sam Toteman (DRAGONFORCE)
Event Of The Year: Download
Legends Award: DEF LEPPARD
Best Breakthrough Act: AMON AMARTH
Best Album: LAMB OF GOD - "Wrath"
Metal As Fuck: ANVIL
Inspiration: EMPEROR
Riff Lord: Steve Vai
Best Live Band: SLIPKNOT
Best International Band: SLIPKNOT
Best UK Band: IRON MAIDEN
Golden God: IRON MAIDEN

More information is available at this location.

"Pray For Villains", the new video from Santa Barbara, California's DEVILDRIVER, can be viewed at MetalSucks. The clip was shot on April 9 with director Nathan Cox (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MARILYN MANSON, LINKIN PARK).

"Pray For Villains" is the title track of DEVILDRIVER's fourth full-length album, due on July 14 via Roadrunner Records. The effort — which will also be made available as a special-edition CD/DVD package featuring three bonus tracks, a behind-the-scenes DVD and expanded artwork — was recorded at Edge of the Earth studios in Los Angeles with producer Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY).

"Pray For Villains" track listing:

01. Pray For Villains
02. Pure Sincerity
03. Fate Stepped In
04. Back With A Vengeance
05. I've Been Sober
06. Resurrection Blvd.
07. Forgiveness Is A Six Gun
08. Waiting For November
09. It's In The Cards
10. Another Night In London
11. Bitter Pill
12. Teach Me To Whisper
13. I See Belief

Bonus Tracks (special edition):

14. Self-Affliction
15. Dust Be The Destiny
16. Damning The Heavens
17. Wasted Years

Disc Two - DVD (special edition):

01. "Making-Of" Documentary
02. Interviews

Finnish goth metallers THE 69 EYES have posted a new track, "Dead Girls Are Easy", on their MySpace page. The song comes off the band's new album, "Back In Blood", which is scheduled for release in Europe (excluding Finland) on August 28 via Nuclear Blast Records (September 15 in the U.S. through The End Records). The CD, which was tracked with the Grammy-winning producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET, FU MANCHU), features a guest appearance by MONSTER MAGNET's Ed Mundell. The recording process took place both in Helsinki and Los Angeles.

"Dead Girls Are Easy" is described in a press release as "a nasty power anthem for sleazy pin-ups complete with a sing-a-long chorus aimed at those online chicks with the looks that kill!" The video for the song was directed by MTV superstar and close friend Bam Margera and the artwork was designed by Estevan Oriol, whose work has graced countless covers from such artists as CYPRESS HILL, THE TRANSPLANTS and SNOOP DOGG.

"Back In Blood" track listing:

01. Back In Blood
02. We Own The Night
03. Dead N' Gone
04. The Good, The Bad & The Undead
05. Kiss Me Undead
06. Lips Of Blood
07. Dead Girls Are Easy
08. Night Watch
09. Some Kind Of Magick
10. Hunger
11. Suspiria Snow White
12. Eternal

U.D.O., the German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, will release the follow-up to 2007's "Mastercutor", titled "Dominator", on August 21 via AFM Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The Bogeyman
02. Dominator
03. Black And White
04. Infected
05. Heavy Metal Heaven
06. Doom Ride
07. Stillness Of Time
08. Devil's Rendezvous
09. Bleeding Heart (Japanese bonus)
10. Pleasure In The Darkroom (digipack bonus)
11. Speed Demon
12. Whispers In The Dark

A limited-edition single, "Infected", will precede the full-length CD on June 26. The single will be released as a limited edition of 2,222 pieces worldwide and will include the title track, two non-album cuts, a remix and a live song. On the same day U.D.O. will play at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany as a co-headliner. A listening/signing session will also take place at the festival.

"Infected" track listing:

01. Infected (album track)
02. Systematic Madness (non-album track)
03. Bodyworld (non-album track)
04. Platchet Soldat (remix)
05. Poezd Po Rossii (live in Moscow 2008)

In late 2009, U.D.O. is planning on hitting the road in the USA, Europe, South America and Japan.

U.D.O. released a "best-of" album, "Metallized - 20 Years of Metal", on November 30, 2007 via AFM Records. The CD booklet is filled with photos from the last 20 years and and includes liner notes written by Metal Hammer journalist Andreas Schöwe. The first 12 songs on the collection were chosen by fans via the official U.D.O. web site, while tracks 13 to 16 consist of two unreleased songs, an acoustic version of the ACCEPT classic "Balls to the Wall", and a live version of "The Bullet and the Bomb".

U.D.O.'s latest studio album, "Mastercutor", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 39 — the highest German chart position in the band's history.

KATATONIA's Jonas Renkse has issued the following update:

"The last cymbal hit of the drum session still ringing in my ear... I have a very good feeling about the whole thing. The playing first and foremost, and the sound is beautiful, the acoustics are ace! Plus we won't have to listen to nothing but drums 10 hours a day anymore. Daniel should be proud. We haven't had the time to do anything else as we're on a pretty tight schedule with this album. We saw some horses the other day and we celebrated David's birthday with cake, beer and various medications and oh, our new collaborator Frank Default (more known as the creative force behind the previous single's remixes and 'Unfurl' production) came down to help edit some of the drums and made sure we didn't fall behind schedule. So the time has come to wrap up and get outta here. Feels good to have a few days at home in Stockholm and celebrate midsummer. Next week we'll move on to rhythm, lead and clean guitars. The foundation of darkness is now rock solid."

"Karkelo" (English translation: "Pleasure" or "Party"), the sixth album from Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI, is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page.

"Karkelo" will be released on June 26 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Petrax studio in Hollola, Finland.

The track listing for the album (cover) is as follows:

01. Vodka
02. Erämaan Ärjyt
03. Isku Pitkästä Ilosta
04. Mettänpeiton Valtiaalle
05. Juodaan Viinaa
06. Uniaika
07. Kultanainen
08. Bring Us Pints Of Beer
09. Huppiaan Aarre
10. Könnin Kuokkamies (bonus track; digipack)
11. Vesaisen Sota
12. Sulasilmä
13. Kohmelo

The "Vodka" video can be viewed here

"Burn", the new video from DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE, the new band featuring former STEREOMUD singer Erik Rogers, can be viewed here. The clip was directed/edited by Scott "El" Haney of El Haney Video Productions and includes studio as well as performance footage.

DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE is currently putting the finishing touches on a four-song EP entitled "Skeletons" with producer Rusty T. Cobb.

Jay Stone of "The Jay Stone Show" conducted an interview with Erik Rogers on March 6, 2009 when DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE performed at the Bourbon Street nightclub in New Port Richey, Florida.

Congratulations are in order for SEPULTURA frontman Derrick Green on the birth of his son, Nolan Maddox.

SEPULTURA has just completed a massive tour of Brazil with fellow Brazilian metallers ANGRA. The trek, which kicked off on May 5 in Porto Alegre, included the São Paulo stop where the two bands joined forces on stage to play several covers, including a version of LED ZEPPELIN's "Immigrant Song".

"A-Lex" — SEPULTURA's first LP to be recorded without either of the founding Cavalera brothers (Max and Igor; on guitar/vocals and drums, respectively) — is available in three versions: in a deluxe digipak with an embossed cover, in a regular jewel case and on a vinyl gatefold LP.

On "A-Lex", SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser and his three colleagues, Derrick Green (vocals), Paulo Jr. (bass) and new addition Jean Dollabella (drums), have dedicated themselves to Anthony Burgess's book "A Clockwork Orange", creating an awesome thrash metal opus around this timeless and exciting subject.

Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY has set "Forever Is The World" as the title of its seventh album, due in Europe on September 18 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Room 13 studios in Oslo with producer Alexander Møklebust, who has previously worked with ZEROMANCER, SEIGMEN, GÅTE, MONOMEN and DELAWARE, among others. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Frozen", "Deadland", "Illusions", "Hide and Seek", "Forever is the World", "A Nine Days Wonder" and "Hollow".

According to the band, "The songs are currently in the middle of mixing and the results sounds great. Very THEATRE OF TRAGEDY-like, and not!"

The mastering will be handled by Bjørn Engelmann at the Cutting Room in Sweden.

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's latest album, "Storm", was released in March 2006 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Rico Darum and mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FEAR FACTORY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY, etc.) at The Green Jacket studios in Richmond, B.C., Canada. The album was the group's first to feature singer Nell (THE CREST), who replaced Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (currently in LEAVES' EYES) in early 2004.

Dutch metallers GOREFEST have released the following statement:

"GOREFEST discover Internet porn, quit. OK, that's not entirely true, we knew about the porn all along. But, after two albums, both of which we're hugely proud of, and about a hundred shows, all of them memorable in their own way, the question that remained for us was: what's next? The answer can be short: nothing. 'La Muerte' and 'Rise To Ruin' are two albums with which we've expanded, and indeed completed our body of work to our full satisfaction. Barring one or two exceptions, all the shows we've done since we decided to reform sometime in 2004 have been tremendously enjoyable. So why quit? Pretty simple, really: Every ride comes to an end. This is ours."

GOREFEST's latest album, "Rise to Ruin", entered the Dutch chart at position No. 61 back in August 2007. Released in the U.S. on September 25, 2007 via Candlelight, the CD was mixed by Danish producer Tue Madsen at his Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark.

GOREFEST issued several CDs through the Nuclear Blast label in the early 1990s before switching to SPV for their 1998 album, "Chapter 13".

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has completed work on his new solo album, "Anomaly". The CD was produced and recorded in Westchester County, New York between 2007 and 2009 and was mixed in Los Angeles by Marti Frederiksen, who has previously worked with AEROSMITH and DEF LEPPARD, among many others.

Commented Frehley: "Mixed, mastered... done!!!!! It clocks in as one full hour of new music... I'm waiting for my distribution company to get me solid release dates that we can decide on. I want 'Anomaly' to be available to you in every store around the world that sells CDs these days (and that number is shrinking). Digitally, 'Anomaly' will be available on iTunes (with an exclusive bonus album-only track!!)."

"Anomaly" official track listing:

01. Foxy & Free
02. Outer Space
03. Pain In The Neck
04. Fox On The Run
05. Genghis Khan
06. Too Many Faces
07. Change The World
08. Space Bear
09. A Little Below The Angels
10. Sister
11. It's A Great Life
12. Fractured Quantum
13. The Return of Space Bear (Dedicated to Tom Snyder) (iTunes exclusive)

Check out the cover artwork here.

Video footage of Ace Frehley laying down a solo on one of his new tracks, "Pain In The Neck", in the recording studio can be viewed below. Ace says, "I've been tweaking the solo and this is pretty close to what you'll hear on the [upcoming Frehley solo] album."

In an early 2008 interview with Billboard, Frehley stated about the CD, "Basically, I'm trying to get back into the mindset I was in when I did my first solo record [1978's 'Ace Frehley']. That record seemed to have all the elements everybody liked — a real cool instrumental, a hit single, some real heavy rockers, a nice variety of different genres of music."

Among his favorite new tracks are "A Little Below The Angels", hard-rocking "Pain In The Neck" and an instrumental called "Fractured Quantum", which is a follow-up to his previous instrumentals "Fractured Mirror" and "Fractured Too". Another favorite is "groove song" titled "Genghis Khan", which he likens in tone to LED ZEPPELIN's "Kashmir".

Frehley last year spent time on the road fronting a band that featured second guitarist Derrek Hawkins, drummer Scot Coogan (ex-BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION) and bassist Anthony Esposito (ex-LYNCH MOB).

"The Decline", the new video from GODHEAD, can be viewed here. The clip was directed by Philip Hodges and features footage from the band's summer 2007 tour, including shots of GODHEAD's crew as well as members of AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE.

GODHEAD — Jason C. Miller (vocals, guitars), Michael Miller (guitars), Ullrich Hepperlin (bass, programming) and Ty Smith (drums) — released its sixth studio album, "At The Edge Of The World", on October 7, 2008 via Driven Music Group (distribution by Ryko/Warner Music Group), the label owned by ex-KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch and music execs Greg Shanaberger and Mark Nawara.

The CD — produced by bassist Ullrich Hepperlin — features 13 songs and five bonus remixes courtesy of Assemblage 23, Sebastian Komor (ICON OF COIL), Curse Mackey (PIGFACE, EVIL MOTHERS), Shok (MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT) and Fat and Acid (AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE).

"When I was writing 'Stay Back'," explained singer/guitarist Jason C. Miller, "I thought about all the times people push each other away in relationships, maybe from clashing ideals or just being afraid of something good. I assumed the role of the person who knows he's a spoiler, but has enough morality left to warn the other person."

He stated about the album's overall writing process, "We really reconnected with the influences that inspired us to write music, like THE CURE, BLACK SABBATH, BAUHAUS, PINK FLOYD, RADIOHEAD, DAVID BOWIE, DEPECHE MODE and even RUSH. It's something I always try to do, but don't always succeed. It's not the radio single that makes you a true fan of a band, it's those interesting tracks that you discover late at night sitting in your room. And I try to ignore modern music trends at all costs. Why become a clone of what's popular now only to be ignored tomorrow? Stick to your own sound and your audience will find you, and they will stay with you for the rest of your life."

In addition to fronting GODHEAD, Miller is an accomplished actor and voice-over artist, devout Buddhist, trains in Kung Fu and is a loyal supporter of The Sogan Foundation, a charity which raises funds for The Tibetan Institute for Science and Technology (TIST) in Golok, Tibet. He has provided voices for over 25 different anime shows, some of which have been recorded at the recording studio he owns, Central Command Studios.

German metallers METALIUM have set "Grounded - Chapter VIII" as the title of their new album, due later in the year via Armageddon Products/Massacre Records. One of the tracks from the forthcoming CD, "Heavy Metal", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

METALIUM's seventh studio CD, "Incubus - Chapter Seven", came out in February 2008. According to a press release, the album saw the band "carrying on the heavy style of the Hamburg metal flagship and touch[ing] upon] very realistic themes like the controversy of the church and 'the evil.' The title track, 'Incubus' is an epic song of over eight minutes and original phrases of an exorcism process were used to give it an extra-authentic feel."

A new AUGUST BURNS RED track entitled "Thirty And Seven" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Christian metalcore quintet's third full-length album, "Constellations", which is scheduled for release on July 14 via Solid State Records.

The visual themes for "Constellations" echo the band's career-long fascination with spirituality and destiny.

"'Constellations' is about directing our attention towards heaven, trusting that God will direct our steps, regardless of our circumstance," says drummer Matt Greiner. "The kites in the artwork represent our own intelligence and innovation. So often we trust our own abilities to guide us through life, but the 'wind' of life will send our kites soaring every which way."

"Constellations" track listing:

01. Thirty And Seven
02. Existence
03. Ocean Of Apathy
04. White Washed
05. Marianas Trench
06. The Escape Artist
07. Indonesia
08. Paradox
09. Meridian
10. Rationalist
11. Meddler
12. Crusades

"Romulus", the debut album from EX DEO — the band led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono — is available for streaming in its entirety at this location. Due on June 19 (Europe) and June 30 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded with producer (and KATAKLYSM guitarist) Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, MALEVOLENT CREATION).

"Romulus" track listing:

01. Romulus
02. Storm the Gates of Alesia
03. Cry Havoc
04. In Her Dark Embrace
05. Invictus
06. The Final War (Battle of Actium)
07. Legio XIII
08. Blood, Courage and The God's That Walk The Earth
09. Cruor Nostri Abbas
10. Surrender The Sun
11. The Pantheon (Jupiter's Reign)

"Mantra", the sophomore album from Norwegian extreme metallers IN VAIN, has been delayed until early 2010. According to the band, "This has nothing to do with the quality of the music or disagreements, but due to the label restructuring their business. We cannot say anything more about the matter than this. This is also completely out of our hands. However, releasing it in 2010 will give the album much better promotion and advertising, so in the end it will turn out better."

"Mantra" tentative track listing:

01. Captivating Solitude
02. Mannefall
03. Ain't No Lovin'
04. On The Banks Of The Mississippi
05. Circle Of Agony
06. Wayakin (The Guardian Spirit Of The Nez Perce)
07. Dark Prophets, Black Hearts
08. Sombre Fall, Burdened Winter

IN VAIN released its full-length debut, "The Latter Rain", in 2007 via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded at DUB Studio (GREEN CARNATION, BLOOD RED THRONE, CHAIN COLLECTOR) in the summer/fall of 2006 and involved close to 20 guest musicians and several guest vocalists, such as Jan K. Transeth (IN THE WOODS...) and Kjetil Nordhus (GREEN CARNATION, TRAIL OF TEARS).

On behalf of the band I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the ones who attended our shows in Jørpeland and Kristiansand last weekend. Thanks for making this weekend the special party it was.

These two shows are probably the most exclusive ones we..ve ever done - with one surprise being revealed after the other. I think it felt equally special for the people in the audience and the nine of us who were on stage on Friday and Saturday.

Of course, the biggest surprise of them all was the announcement of Kjetil..s role as a stand-in for Østen, who is awaiting his twins in a couple of months. All of us are very happy for Østen and Silje, and we wish them all the best with their family. Østen will surely be missed, though, when we now will do tours without him, as he..s been a part of the live edition of Tristania since 1999. He is a social cornerstone in our band. At the same time, I know now that we couldn't have found have found a better stand-in for Østen than Kjetil. He is a good friend of us from before, and his great ability as singer and stage personality he is the perfect choice to replace Østen, while he will be busy with changing diapers and sleepless nights.

These two shows were unique as both Østen and Kjetil were on stage. Østen opened the show, while Kjetil took over after a few songs. They also performed Shadowman and Sacrilege together, which were memorable moments. Even I felt shivers down my spine when they did Shadowman together.

We..ve read your nice reactions on our temporary vocalist, and I know that Kjetil finds it very motivating to see this overwhelming reception to the news and the video we posted after the show on Jørpeland was finished on last Friday.

Another big surprise for this weekend was that Gyri Losnegaard, who some of you already know from Octavia Sperati, was presented with her first gigs as Tristania live guitarist this weekend. Gyri is fantastic. Expect more news about her within a few weeks.

As I’ve posted about before, Kenneth has had problems with an old soccer injury in his knee during the last couple of years. He has already gone through one surgery, and we still don..t know whether he has to have another one. This has prevented Kenneth for doing live shows with us for a while. The positive thing, though, is that he recently started to rehearse together with the rest of us again - so far without much pain.
We..ve had a great live replacement for Kenneth in Mr. Tarald Lie, who has done shows with us since 2006. I first met in Tarald back in 1998, when we were on tour together with Tristania and Solefald. Tarald was then their session live drummer, and we’re really happy that he wanted to help us out. Tarald is a fantastic person; the big comedian of the band – and an amazing drummer.
A very nice thing for us in the band was that that Kenneth joined us on stage and played Angellore and Beyond the Veil with us. Kenneth’s unexpected was obviously a pleasant surprise for the local audience at Jørpeland, judged by their fantastic feedback.

In Kjetil’s hometown, Kristiansand, we got a couple of more local guests on stage. Jonathan Perez (Sirenia, ex-Trail of Tears) joined us on stage for Tender Trip on Earth. Jonathan did help us out as a live drummer on Wacken Open Air and the Norwegian tour in 2005. Kjell “Kjellhammer” Hagen (also from the band formerly known as Trail of Tears) was our session bass player from 2005 to 2007, and in Kristiansand he played bass on The Wretched. It’s been a while since last time we met Jonathan and Kjell and it was great fun to play with them again.
We’ve got some film material from the concerts and we will make a short film around it for the future.
Soon, we will also post online some high quality photos from the gig in Kristiansand.

The set list we played this weekend was:

World of Glass (Vocals: Østen – with Kjetil on backing vocals)
Mercyside (Vocals: Østen – with Kjetil on backing vocals)
Tender Trip on Earth (Vocals: Østen)
Circus (Vocals: Østen)
The Emerald Piper (Vocals: Østen – with Kjetil on backing vocals)
Shadowman (Vocals: Østen & Kjetil)
The Wretched (Vocals: Kjetil)
Angellore (Vocals: Kjetil)
Beyond the Veil (Vocals: Kjetil)
Lotus (Vocals: Kjetil)
Protection (Vocals: Kjetil)
Libre (Vocals: Kjetil)
Sacrilege (Vocals: Østen & Kjetil)
Down (Vocals: Kjetil)