Norwegian melodic black metal band OLD MAN'S CHILD, which is led by guitarist/vocalist Galder (also in DIMMU BORGIR), has posted another new song, "Ferden Mot Fienden's Land", on on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off OLD MAN'S CHILD's new album, "Slaves Of The World", which is scheduled for release on May 19 via Century Media Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD was recorded last fall at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES, etc.), who had previously worked with the band on the "In Defiance Of Existence" (2003) and "Vermin" (2005) albums. The nine-song effort features Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, PESTILENCE) on drums.

Reactivated San Francisco Bay Area thrashers HEATHEN will release their long-awaited new album, "The Evolution Of Chaos", on July 20 via Holland's Mascot Records. Check out the cover artwork below. Photos from the recording sessions are available in the "Pics" section of the band's MySpace page (free registration required to view pictures).

The band's current lineup includes Lee Altus (guitar; EXODUS), Kragen Lum (guitar; PROTOTYPE), Dave White (vocals), Jon Torres (bass; ANGELWITCH) and returning drummer Darren Minter.

"The Evolution Of Chaos" track listing:

01. Dying Season
02. Control By Chaos
03. No Stone Unturned
04. Arrows Of Agony
05. Fade Away
06. A Heroe's Welcome
07. Undone
08. Bloodkult
09. Red Tears Of Disgrace
10. Silent Nothingness

Legendary vocalist Frank Knight (X-WILD, also known for his work with such bands as U.D.O., ACCEPT, MAJESTY and CRYSTAL VIPER), and guitarist Majk Moti (RUNNING WILD) have formed a brand new heavy metal band called WILD KNIGHT.

The group's lineup is as follows:

Frank Knight - Vocals
Majk Moti - Guitar
Rob Ronson - Guitar
Simon Strangeway - Bass
Robin Hazelhurst - Drums

WILD KNIGHT will make its live debut at the Hard Rocker Festival II in Katowice, Poland, on September 26. Their live show will include classic X-WILD and RUNNING WILD songs. Also scheduled to appear are MEKONG DELTA, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, WIZARD, LONEWOLF and many others.

WILD KNIGHT is working on material for its debut studio album, scheduled for 2010. The band will also record a cover of the RUNNING WILD song "Tsar" for the forthcoming official RUNNING WILD tribute album titled "ReUnaton" (Remedy Records).

A new THE PROJECT HATE track, "You Come To Me Through Hell", can be heard in the YouTube clip below. It is also available for free download at this location.

Commented the band: "Included in this song are backing vocalists L.G. Petrov of the legendary ENTOMBED, Christian Älvestam (ex-SCAR SYMMETRY) and super hero Martin van Drunen of HAIL OF BULLETS and ASPHYX (also responsible for the vocals and bass on one of death metal's absolute classics, 'Consuming Impulse', by PESTILENCE). Three people we admire and respect — we can't thank them enough for their contributions. Also, as in all the other tunes on the [forthcoming THE PROJECT HATE] album, there's a fantastic guitar solo by Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE and so forth)."

THE PROJECT HATE is the Swedish band featuring vocalist Jörgen Sandström (VICIOUS ART, KRUX, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE), guitarist Lord K. Philipson (TORTURE DIVISION, ex-GOD AMONG INSECTS, HOUSE OF USHER, LEUKEMIA), bassist Michael Håkansson (ex-ENGEL, EVERGREY), singer Jo Enckell (SIREN ON), guitarist Anders Bertilsson (COLDWORKER) and drummer Thomas Ohlsson (ex-KAMTJATKA, AXENSTAR, SEVEN WISHES, CELLOUT). The group's new album, "The Lustrate Process", will be released on July 6 via Vic Records. The artwork and booklet design was handled by Statik Majik and can be viewed below.

"The Lustrate Process" track listing:

01. Descend Into The Pits Of Eternal Possession
02. You Come To Me Through Hell
03. See The Filth Become Flames In This Furnace
04. Our Wrath Will Rain Down From The Sky
05. The Locust Principles
06. Arise To His World Of Infamy
07. The Burial Of Gods

Guest musicians:

Mike Wead (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND) - solos
Pär Fransson (CARNAL GRIEF) - solos
Martin van Drunen (ASPHYX, ex-PESTILENCE) - vocals
Christian Älvestam (ex-SCAR SYMMETRY) - vocals
L.G. Petrov (ENTOMBED) - vocals
Johan Hegg (AMON AMARTH) - vocals
Robban Eriksson - vocals

WATCH ME BLEED, the German band featuring MYSTIC PROPHECY guitar player Markus Pohl and SYMPHORCE drummer Steffen Theurer, has inked a deal with Silverwolf Productions for the release of its debut album. Due in September, the CD was mixed by Christian "Moschus" Moos (DELAIN, C-187, EVERON) at Spacelab studios and mastered by Eroc (SODOM, DELAIN) at the Mastering Ranch. It contains eleven songs with guest appearances by Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), Nemesis (EIGENSINN) and Greek guitar wizard Constantine (MYSTIC PROPHECY, THE DESCENDING). According to Markus Pohl, the band "is extremely satisfied with the whole album, the sound and the songs." The end result is "pure metal, aggressive, in your face and heavy. Moschus and Eroc did a great job."

Last weekend, WATCH ME BLEED shot a video for the song "Bloodred Rain". According to the group. "there will be a lot of blood, mayhem, girls and metal... everything you need to bang your head to."

WATCH ME BLEED's CD features the band's first recordings with Markus Wenzel, singer of the Austrian deathcore act INZEST, who joined the group last fall as WATCH ME BLEED's second vocalist. With two aggressive singers, WATCH ME BLEED "expanded its sound to a new and diversified level," according to a press release.

Resurrected Florida-based death metallers MASSACRE are working on a new EP featuring reworked versions of four classic tunes, "re-recorded and brought up to date." According to vocalist Kam Lee, the EP will be released "totally for the honor of the old-school fans! No TRENDS here!!"

The four classic tunes that will be represented on this EP are as follows:

01. Aggressive Tyrant
02. Clangor Of War
03. Infestation Of Death
04. Perpetual Domination

Kam has asked the help of Sweden's Ronnie Bjornstrom (BONE GNAWER, HATE AMMO, RIBSPREADER) to be studio session musician on this EP, and Ronnie has done "a fantastic job" of keeping the tracks to their tradition style and form.

Currently, MASSACRE has no record company in place to release this EP, but Kam will be seeking to negotiate a deal with the correct label that is willing to give this release the proper and respectful attention that is needed to get this out to the fans worldwide.

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is currently in Los Angeles putting the finishing touches on the mixes for his new solo album, "Anomaly".

The CD was produced and recorded in Westchester County, New York between 2007 and 2009 and is being mixed by Marti Frederiksen, who has previously worked with AEROSMITH and DEF LEPPARD, among many others.

"Anomaly" track listing (not confirmed):

01. Outer Space
02. Foxy & Free
03. Sister
04. Too Many Faces
05. It's A Great Life
06. Skels
07. A Little Below The Angels
08. Fox On The Run (SWEET cover)
09. Change The World
10. Pain In the Neck
11. Genghis Khan
12. Fractured Quantum

DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess has just released a new book called "The Dream Theater Keyboard Experience - Featuring Jordan Rudess". The book is described as follows: "Not just a songbook, but a total experience! Note-for-note keyboard transcriptions of nine keyboard-intense DREAM THEATER songs from 1992 -2007, plus amazing full-color concert and behind-the-'boards photos, and a personal [question-and-answer] conversation with Jordan Rudess in which he reveals details of his playing style and the experience of jamming and writing with rock virtuoso bandmates DREAM THEATER. What's more, Rudess wrote special 'exercise' pieces to precede each song, each focusing on a challenging playing technique unique to the corresponding DREAM THEATER songs that follows. A must-own collectible for all fans! 212 pages."

Titles featured in the book:

* Blind Faith (Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence)
* Home (Metropolis, Pt 2: Scenes from a Memory)
* Honor Thy Father (Train of Thought)
* In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 1 (Systematic Chaos)
* In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 2 (Systematic Chaos)
* Lines in the Sand (Falling into Infinity)
* Octavarium (Octavarium)
* Space-Dye Vest (Awake)
* Take the Time (Images and Words)
* The Ministry of Lost Souls (Systematic Chaos)

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing the classic song "Dyer's Eve" on May 12, 2009 in Hamburg, Germany can be viewed below.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. Leper Messiah
04. The Memory Remains
05. One
06. Broken, Beat And Scarred
07. Cyanide
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. The Judas Kiss
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Dyer's Eve
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
16. Killing Time
17. The Prince
18. Seek and Destroy

Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes have recruited Mark Tornillo, former lead singer of the New York/New Jersey metal band TT QUICK, to front the new version of ACCEPT. Tour dates are currently being booked and a new studio album is on the way.

ACCEPT 2009 is:

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

Two audio samples featuring the new ACCEPT lineup are currently available for streaming/download on the band's web site (taken from a jam session recorded on April 26, 2009 at Shorefire Recording studios in Long Branch, New Jersey):

"Balls To The Wall": Audio Stream, MP3 Download
"Flash Rocking Man": Audio Stream, MP3 Download

ACCEPT in 2005 completed a 25th anniversary tour with a touring lineup of original members Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Wolf Hoffmann and Herman Frank and Peter Baltes, along with Stefan Schwarzmann.

In a 2007 interview with Lords of Metal e-zine Dirkschneider stated about the 25th anniversary trek, "I didn't see it as a reunion. A reunion, to me, is coming back together, getting to rehearsals, doing shows and writing songs together and eventually mak[ing] an album. That wasn't the case with ACCEPT. It was just for the fans and for fun. We had a great time together and shared a lot of drinks and old stories. But, anyway, when we got back together [in 2005], nobody was talking about a new studio album with ACCEPT. Even if you wanted it somewhere deep inside, you still had to wait for a magic moment to let it out. But such a magic moment never came, at least not for me. . . A real reunion, with a new album and a tour to support it . . . means that I have to start writing songs together with Wolf Hoffmann and that would be a problem. You know, it's easy to play the old songs, because they already exist. Especially for me it was easier, because I still do those classics with U.D.O., but for some of the guys it was a bit harder. But everybody did a great job on stage. I understand that people want a new ACCEPT album, but composing songs together would have been a disaster. That way we would destroy more than we would create. We have a good relationship now and it's best to keep it that way."

Speaking to Metal-Rules.com in 2005, Udo said, "I think that after doing all these [reunion] shows [to celebrate ACCEPT's 25th anniversary], [Wolf] was really thinking about doing something more with ACCEPT. The thing is that if he really wanted do something like that, why he never came up during all the shows and say, 'Hey, Udo, I got some new songs, do you wanna hear them?' or something like that. There was nothing. Music-wise, he was maybe thinking something and I was like, this is very hard to explain but I felt inside of me, 'Don't do it, don't do it!!' I think that this was a perfect way finish ACCEPT."

Udo added, "I think [Wolf] did lot of very boring interviews [after we completed the ACCEPT 25th anniversary tour]. When I read [Wolf's comments in the press about a possible new ACCEPT studio album], I was wondering what was coming up from his mind. I mean, when he started doing interviews, he said, 'I have no problem to do ACCEPT but Udo doesn't want to do it. There will be no real reunion because of Udo.' Still, it wasn't too long time ago when he said 'No ACCEPT — I don't wanna do it because I hate that business. I don't wanna be in music business anymore.' . . . I think this is some kind fear of him, you know. I mean, he knew that I was working with U.D.O. and we had a new album coming out and he know what I was thinking all the time. From my side, there wasn't [the possiblity of a full-fledged] reunion at any point and he knew that right from the beginning and now he's changing the story. . . He changed his mind. If he wants to, he can still do ACCEPT but with a different singer. [Laughs.]"

TT QUICK was a popular club band during the 1980s in the New York and New Jersey area and was known for the guitar work of David Dipietro and the powerful vocals of Mark Tornillo. Dipietro's skills were especially singled out as he had given lessons to both Zakk Wylde of the OZZY OSBOURNE band and SKID ROW's Dave Sabo.

TT QUICK disbanded and later reunited sporadically and released a few more albums, including a live CD from one of their reunion gigs ("Thrown Together Live") and a studio effort, "Ink", which came out in 2000.

Former ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes has issued the following update:

"To all you hardcore ACCEPT fans out there, Wolf [Hoffmann; former ACCEPT guitarist] just spent the weekend at my house [in Pennsylvania] and we were shredding away. Something amazing is in the works. As soon as I can, I'll let everybody know. Let's make the 'Metal Heart' beat again."

ACCEPT in 2005 completed a 25th anniversary tour with a touring lineup of original members Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Wolf Hoffmann and Herman Frank (both on guitar) and Peter Baltes (bass), along with drummer Stefan Schwarzmann.

Fan-filmed video footage from ACCEPT's 2005 tour can be viewed here.

Baltes recently joined forces with friend Tim Laidlaw to form a new Christian-themed project called 4 INCH NAILS. The band's first two tracks, "How Do You Write A Song?" and "Up On A Hill", are available for streaming on the 4 INCH NAILS MySpace page. Baltes says, "We are very excited about this new band and working very hard on getting the album done right." He adds, "If you are a metalhead, do not go there, it could be dangerous to your health."

Baltes is currently collaborating with former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz on a new album which will see the light of day in 2009. Matt Thompson from KING DIAMOND did some drum overdubs on the CD and will be the touring drummer for the project, which features Spitz on guitar and lead vocals.

Frank Suepfle of International Touring and Management GmbH & Co KG, which represents U.D.O. — the German band fronted by ex-ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider — has shot down rumors that ACCEPT will reunite for a possible new album and tour.

NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon has launched her own web site at www.anette-olzon.com. She says, "I'm pleased to present to you my official page on the web. Be sure to check the site regularly for tour dates, photos and to-the-minute news updates."

Finnish web site Karjalainen.fi recently uploaded two short video clips (see below) of Anette Olzon talking about the recent media frenzy surrounding her rumored "problems" with the band and what she did during NIGHTWISH's recent three-month break from touring.

Regarding the alleged issues she has with NIGHTWISH, Anette says, "At the moment, we don't have any problems. I think any group, working group, can have, after being together for a while, there will be this conflict state — every group has it; it's important for the evolvement of the group, and I think we need it. The problem wasn't that we had a problem, it was that we were so, so tired. All of us. There was no rest last year. [And now] we are all happy. We are very happy."

In an exclusive interview with Classic Rock's Dave Ling, NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen was asked if alarm bells rang when, echoing her predecessor, Olzon recently hired a personal manager (Swedish management company Hagenburg Management, which also represents EUROPE and THE CARDIGANS). "At the beginning I had a feeling of déjà vu," he replied. "But when we discussed it I understood that she needs somebody who speaks her own language [Swedish]. Her manager is a very, very reasonable guy."

When asked how Anette is handling the fame, Tuomas replied, "She has told me a couple of times that she might not be able to handle it, on top of her divorce. I've seen her close to collapse and it has scared me, so we are protecting her. There will be no more interviews."

In a recent interview with MeNaiset, the most popular women's magazine in Finland, Olzon stated about her decision to hire a personal manager, "It was a hard decision for me because I didn't want problems with the band. I said that I have different needs in these areas than the rest of the guys. I, for example, need clothing sponsors which doesn't interest the rest of the band. Now I have a person who will be able to take care of that kind of stuff."

Finnish metallers AMORPHIS has issued the following update:

"From Wednesday, May 20 on you will be able to listen to Skyforger in its entirety here on MySpace for a whole week. Don't miss this exclusive pre-listening opportunity!"

Also, you can see below the second video-trailer of "Skyforger" again directed by Denis Goria.

"Skyforger" (cover), the new AMORPHIS' album will be released on 28 of May via Nuclear Blast Records.

Here is its tracklist:

1. Sampo
02. Silver Bride
03. From The Heaven Of My Heart
04. Sky Is Mine
05. Majestic Beast
06. My Sun
07. Highest Star
08. Skyforger
09. Course Of Fate
10. From Earth I Rose
11. Godlike Machine (bonus track; digipack only)

The new band's video, "Silver Bride", you can see here

Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of British progressive rock band PORCUPINE TREE.

One of the most difficult-to-categorize yet innovative acts making music today, PORCUPINE TREE's music ranges from psychedelic trip-hop to progressive rock, and a compendium of other sounds in between.

PORCUPINE TREE has already been a part of the international Roadrunner family; they have been signed to Roadrunner since 2006 and are now transitioning to all territories outside Japan.

Senior VP of A&R for Roadrunner, Monte Conner, says, "PORCUPINE TREE have been making vital and important music for many years now but over the last few years in particular, that music has been reaching many new ears. Roadrunner hopes to not only continue that growth here in the U.S. but accelerate it and expose the world to the massive talent this band has. I am honored to welcome Steven Wilson and PORCUPINE TREE to the Roadrunner fold."

The band is fronted by singer/guitarist Steven Wilson, who, in addition to his critical acclaim with PORCUPINE TREE, is also known for his work producing other artists, such as Swedish progressive metal group (and now labelmates) OPETH and Norwegian chanteuse ANJA GARBAREK.

PORCUPINE TREE has released three albums through Lava/Atlantic: "In Absentia", "Deadwing", and the Grammy-nominated "Fear of a Blank Planet", which was recognized as "Best Surround Sound" album in 2007.

PORCUPINE TREE's new album will contain a 50-minute long continuous song cycle, along with three additional "shorter" songs. A September 22 release is exected. The band will embark on a U.S. tour to coincide with the album's arrival.

Danish atmospheric doomsters SATURNUS has issued the following update:

Martin Steene (Iron Fire/Force Of Evil) has teamed up with Danish Doom legends Saturnus, as guitarist for there upcoming live shows in September.

Martins own words: " Its a pleasure to be a part of a band that i have been a fan of for years, and cant wait to get out and play some gigs with this monster of Doom".

SATURNUS has lost almost all of line-up at the beginning of May "due to various reasons". Current line-up is:

Thomas Akim Grønbæk Jensen - Vocals
Brian Pony Hansen - Bass
Rune Stiassny - Guitars

Band prepares to write a material for a new album and for some gigs, scheduled to September.

The last SATURNUS album, "Veronica Decides To Die" was released in 2006.

Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on "Children of the Dark Waters", the sixth album from the Finnish melodic death metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW, are available on the Amazon.co.uk web site.

"Children of the Dark Waters" will be released in Finland on May 27 via Suomen Musiikki. As was the case with the band's previous five LPs, the forthcoming effort was recorded at Tico-Tico Studio in Kemi, Finland.

Due in the rest of Europe via Massacre Records and in Asia through Marquee/Avalon, "Children of the Dark Waters" will feature the following track listing:

01. Children of the Dark Waters (Act II)
02. Baptized by the Blood of Angels
03. Tears of Autumn Rain
04. Summon the Wild
05. Sea of Whispers
06. Midnight Bird
07. Diary of Demonic Dreams
08. When the Darkest Night Falls
09. Nocturne Thule

Audio samples of all 14 tracks that are set to appear on "Clash Of The Elements", the third album from Swedish hard rockers THE POODLES, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. Also available is the video for the single "One Out Of Ten", which was written by singer Jakob Samuel (THE RING, TALISMAN, JEKYLL & HYDE) and Nicolo Fragile and was mixed by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA).

"Clash Of The Elements" is scheduled for release in Sweden on May 20. Release dates for other territories have not yet been announced.

"Clash Of The Elements" track listing:

01. Too Much Of Everything
02. Caroline
03. Like No Tomorrow
04. One Out Of Ten
05. I Rule The Night
06. Give Me A Sign
07. Sweet Enemy
08. 7 Days & 7 Nights
09. Pilot Of The Storm
10. Can't Let You Go
11. Don't Rescue Me
12. Heart Of Gold
13. Dream To Follow
14. Wings Of Destiny

The group, which recently parted ways with its record label Lionheart International after a three-year partnership, once again worked with producer Mats Valentin.

THE POODLES last year recruited guitarist Henrik Bergqvist (SOUTHFORK, TIAMAT) to replace Pontus Norgren, who left the group to join HAMMERFALL. The new axeman made his live debut with THE POODLES in June 2008 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

THE POODLES — Jakob Samuel, Henrik Bergqvist, bassist Pontus Egberg (ex-LION'S SHARE) and drummer Christian Lundqvist — released its last album, "The Sweet Trade", in September 2007 via AFM Records.

Keyboardist Michael T. Ross is preparing to embark on the LITA FORD summer tour in Europe and the U.S., sharing the stage with such legendary bands as JUDAS PRIEST, WHITESNAKE, JOURNEY, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SAXON, among others.

"Rehearsals are going great," Michael states. "With rock veteran Stet Howland (W.A.S.P.) on drums and new member JC on bass, we are very pleased with how everything is sounding. Lita sounds better than ever and we look forward to kicking ass on the big stage next month, covering hits as 'Close My Eyes Forever' and 'Kiss Me Deadly', as well as debuting material off the upcoming release."

The first of several warm-up shows will take place on May 23 at Ricochet in Ft. Myers, Florida.

LITA FORD's current touring band:

Lita Ford - Guitars, Vocals
Stet Howland - Drums
Michael T. Ross - Keyboards
JC - Bass

Lita Ford will release "Wicked Wonderland", her first new U.S. studio album in 14 years, in the early fall on her own JLRG Entertainment label.

"It's harder and sexier than anything I've ever done," Lita said of the record, which was co-produced by Ford, her husband and former NITRO singer Jim Gillette, and Greg Hampton, the songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his work with ALICE COOPER, his band SCIENCE FAXTION (with Bootsy Collins and Buckethead and Brain from GUNS N' ROSES) and other rock notables. Lita is backed on the record by drummer Stet Howland, formerly of W.A.S.P., Hampton on bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards, Gillette on background vocals, and its vivid cover art is by ROB ZOMBIE bassist and solo artist Piggy D.

Prior to starting rehearsals with LITA FORD, Michael completed an East Coast tour with Dale Bozzio's MISSING PERSONS, which included a headlining slot at the the Chiller Theatre toy, model and film expo on April 17-19 at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany, New Jersey, with Mark Slaughter as the supporting act. Dale and Michael signed autographs during weekend event, alongside other artists such as Peter Criss (KISS) and VH1 Classic "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk.

Members of SONATA ARCTICA and DARK TRANQUILLITY have joined forces to form Rockstars of Poker, a poker team which aims to give fans a chance to meet their heroes while playing poker online.

Rockstars of Poker works together with Betfriends.com and gives everyone a chance to challenge the team totally free. In addition to the prizepool sponsored by Betfriends.com, whoever kicks any of the team members out of each tournament gets special band-related prizes.

Rockstars of Poker co-founder Henrik Klingenberg (of SONATA ARCTICA) explains: "Me and Marko (Paasikoski, SONATA ARCTICA) and Martin (Brändström) as well as Martin (Henriksson, both of DARK TRANQUILLITY) met over a couple of beers at a festival in Italy last summer and found out that we're all really into poker. Later we stayed in touch and at some point a poker playing friend of ours asked us why we don't have our own tournaments."

As both bands have gotten several requests for chat meetings and different online interaction with their fans, they decided to join forces and combine a dear hobby with a little bit of "work."

"Instead of just chatting online which is not really our thing (mind you, we're a bunch of rock dudes in our 30, who like beer), we thought that we might as well play some poker while we meet up with whoever has something they want to know....or say," says Klingenberg. "The best thing is that it's totally free for everyone so you really don't have to be good at poker, but you still have a chance to win some money and prizes as well as ask us anything, so everybody wins."

Excalibur, York University's community newspaper conducted an interview with former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen before her May 2, 2009 concert at the Opera House in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On being a breakthrough female act in a musical scene dominated by some of the most testosterone-laden men in the world:

"I think it's really important to be humble for the music because there is always someone better than you, there is always something new for you to learn for music and you can't be the best in the world. It makes you work very hard. Music really makes you keep your feet on the ground. People can really see if you're honest. That is the truth, they really can see through you."

On how she is perceived by people in the music industry:

"With my classical training and coming from a metal band, producers didn't know what to expect. I like to shock people, though. It makes it fun."

On her musical direction:

"It is a lot of responsibility [but] the freedom [of going solo] is making me really happy. . . I really hope with the next album I will make my sound very clear and my message very clear to my listeners, to say, 'This is it. This is me,' . . . [I] want to make it even bigger in a way that the heavier songs will sound a bit more heavy but the moodier songs will be in the same vein as the first album."

NME.com has premiered the new video from MARILYN MANSON, for the track "Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon". Check it out below. The clip was shot with director Delaney Bishop, a filmmaker and photographer based in Los Angeles. He has directed music videos for JURASSIC 5, CUT CHEMIST and ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK. Delaney has also worked on a twenty-minute short entitled "The Death of Salvador Dali" featuring Manson's ex-wife Dita Von Teese, a project which broke new ground in new media, as the film was made available for download through iTunes.

"Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon" is the first single from Manson's upcoming album, "The High End Of Low". The CD is due out on May 26 and is his first with longtime bassist Twiggy Ramirez since 2000's "Holy Wood".

Manson has also posted the album artwork online. The cover is a rather subdued, eerily lit photo of the singer with a glowing necklace around his head.

The official track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Devour
02. Pretty As A Swastika
03. Leave A Scar
04. Four Rusted Horses
05. Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon
06. Blank And White
07. Running To The Edge Of The World
08. I Want To Kill You Like They Do In The Movies
09. WOW
10. Wight Spider
11. Unkillable Monster
12. We're From America
13. I Have To Look Up Just To See Hell
14. Into The Fire
15. 15

HAIL OF BULLETS — the new band featuring GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, former PESTILENCE/ASPHYX singer Martin Van Drunen and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen — will release a new EP, "Warsaw Rising", sometime during the summer via Metal Blade Records. Featuring two brand new tracks, one cover and three live recordings, it will be released as a six-page digipack and will be available in a strictly limited edition of 2,000 copies only!

"Warsaw Rising" contains the new songs "Liberators" (an ode to one of the most magnificent bombers ever built) and the title track (which tells the tragic tale of the bloody 1944 Warsaw uprising). A "massive" cover of the TWISTED SISTER classic "Destroyer" and three tracks from the BULLETS' earth-shattering performance at last year's Party.San Open Air festival are also included

"Warsaw Rising" track listing:

01. Liberators
02. Warsaw Rising
03. Destroyer
04. Red Wolves Of Stalin *
05. Nachthexen *
06. The Crucial Offensive *

* live recording

"Dead Harvest", the new video from THIS ENDING, the Swedish death metal band featuring AMON AMARTH drummer Fredrik Andersson, can be viewed below. Also avaialble is behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot. The song is the title cut of THIS ENDING's second album, which was released on January 30, 2009 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy; and February 2, 2009 in the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records.

According to a press release, "THIS ENDING continue to deliver their own brand of death metal in grand fashion with 'Dead Harvest', evolving a dark concept and further distinguishing the band from its contemporary peers. Spanning from heavy riffs and mesmerizing melodies to blast beats and industrial sounds — 'Dead Harvest' has it all."

The recording of "Dead Harvest" saw THIS ENDING returning to Offbeat Studio in Stockholm, and after two months of gruelling work, the album was finally done. A number of songs were written for the CD but only 10 were selected to appear on the finished product. However, two songs that were recorded during the "Dead Harvest" sessions but that didn't make the final cut will be included on the limited first pressing of the European version of the album.

Commented guitarist Leo Pignon: "The second creation of THIS ENDING plunges you further into the darkness of mankind. Here you will find everything from spellbinding melodies to violent blast beats, all spawned from the maw of the inevitable doomsday machine that is THIS ENDING. 'Dead Harvest' is the soundtrack of a world in downfall, steeped in true death metal and branded with the unique sound of THIS ENDING. So crank up the volume, sit back, and watch the world go down in flames!"

THIS ENDING is:

Mårten Hansen - vocals
Leo Pignon - guitar
Linus Nirbrant - guitar
Jesper Löfgren - bass
Fredrik Andersson – drums

MACHINES OF GRACE, the new band featuring drummer Jeff Plate (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, SAVATAGE, METAL CHURCH), lead singer Zak Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, SAVATAGE), guitarist Matt Leff (guitar) and bassist Chris Rapoza (bass), will release its self-titled debut this summer.

"It's just a pure, solid melodic rock sound," Stevens says about the project. "It has infectious grooves and its own brand of outright power. To me, it's got great songwriting with a hard rock edge and strong commercial appeal."

Leff and Stevens have a lengthy history, spanning back to their days as protégés at GIT/VIT, respectively. Their first band, WICKEDWITCH, also introduced the talents of drummer Jeff Plate, who clinched the lineup and formed the backbone of today's brainchild: MACHINES OF GRACE.

During a considerable hiatus after the demise of the WICKEDWITCH project, Zak Stevens had gone on to front SAVATAGE (and more recently, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), and later recruited Jeff Plate, who performs regularly with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and METAL CHURCH. Meanwhile, Matt Leff had formed TRIGGER EFFECT, and with bassist Chris Rapoza, had toured as an opening act for IRON MAIDEN, QUEENSRŸCHE and HALFORD.

Time had clearly hit the afterburners. Call it chemistry, fate or pure coincidence. A WICKEDWITCH fan suggested that the founding members revise, rethink, record and release the original material, and voila — MACHINES OF GRACE was conceived.

This band accords a shot of rock and roll that infuses several music genres with an innovative twist of smoldering vocals and bludgeoning guitar riffs. Blend that with an explosive rhythm section and you've got an exceptionally powerful elixir. "I'd say we're a mix of melodic metal, hard rock, modern rock and acoustic rock," explains guitarist Matt Leff. "The current rock climate is calling for modern production, strong vocal melodies and memorable songs from guys that can really play. I think we fit that description." Bassist Chris Rapoza agrees: "The CD has an amazing vibe that just flows really well and makes you want to listen to it all the way through. To me, songwriting and recording with that same quality always makes for the best type of album."

Jeff Plate tops off the sentiment: "The music is metal, but not thrash. Rock, but not pop. We could be compared to a number of different bands, and each song will give you a different impression, but in the end the sound is distinctly MACHINES OF GRACE."

That sound is likewise attributed to the talents of veteran mixologist Paul David Hager. Credited with engineering, mixing and producing studio work by acts such as the GOO GOO DOLLS, AVRIL LAVIGNE, PINK and TRACY BONHAM, Hager brings to the table a record destined for the spotlight, and plenty of industry accolades.

Live, this band brings new meaning to the term full throttle. The killer studio version of the music not withstanding, MACHINES OF GRACE takes a live performance experience to a whole new level. Fans will really enjoy the dueling guitar and vocal arrangements, while the second-to-none rhythm section welds them together perfectly. Zak promises, "You'll hear the emphasis on the album, the way the mix very closely depicts how this band actually sounds when we plug in."