"Six Times Dead (16.6)", the new video from German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, can be viewed below.

PRIMAL FEAR's new album, "16.6: (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)", will be released in Europe on May 22 and in the U.S. on June 7 via Frontiers Records.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
02. Riding The Eagle
03. Six Times Dead (16.6)
04. Black Rain
05. Under The Radar
06. 5.0 / Torn
07. Soar
08. Killbound
09. No Smoke Without Fire
10. Night After Night
11. Smith & Wesson
12. The Exorcist
13. Hands Of Time

Limited edition bonus tracks:

14. Cry Havoc
15. Scream
16. Six Times Dead (16.6) (video)

Japanese bonus track:

17. No Smoke Without Fire (remix)

Despite widespread rumors to the contrary, SLAYER's as-yet-untitled new album does not yet have an official release date. According to the band's publicist, the Los Angeles thrashers are in the studio putting the finishing touches on the CD recordings and are hoping to get the album out before the end of the summer. However, an exact release date will not be set until the record has been completed. "Tom's [Araya] finishing up vocals, Kerry [King] and Jeff [Hanneman] are doing final guitar overdubs, and, unless some unforeseen wrench is thrown in, all recording will be finished before the end of next week," the publicist told BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

"Psychopathy Red", the first new track from SLAYER since 2006's thrashterpiece "Christ Illusion", was made available as a seven-inch vinyl disc beginning Saturday, April 18, 2009 as part of the third annual Record Store Day. Only 5,000 of these limited edition discs were manufactured worldwide, and are available exclusively at participating independent record stores. Log on to www.recordstoreday.com for the list of participating stores.

"A Rite of Passage", the new video from DREAM THEATER, can be viewed below. The song is the first single from the progressive metal giants' upcoming album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", which is scheduled for release on June 23 via Roadrunner Records.

In addition to the standard-version CD, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" will also be available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc, special-edition CD that will include the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.

Six weeks prior to the June 23 street date, Roadrunner will release one cover song per week through digital retailers.

DREAM THEATER commenced work on "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" — the band's second for Roadrunner, following up 2007's "Systematic Chaos" — in October of last year.

Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again at the helm as producers, while Paul Northfield mixed the record.

"Black Clouds & Silver Linings" track listing:

01. A Nightmare to Remember
02. A Rite of Passage
03. Wither
04. The Shattered Fortress
05. The Best of Times
06. The Count of Tuscany

In 1982, Tuomo Lassila (drums) formed STRATOVARIUS and came up with the band's name. Timo Tolkki (guitar) and Antti Ikonen (keyboards) joined the band in 1984 — that is some 25 years ago, and as a result the group recorded such classic albums as "Twilight Time", "Dreamspace" and "Fourth Dimension". After the departure of Lassila and Ikonen in 1995, STRATOVARIUS went to more neo-classical sound and style exploring Timo Tolkki's songwriting and producing skills earning the band a Finnish Grammy and sales exceeding over two million records. After Tolkki's departure from STRATOVARIUS in late 2007, an idea was born to get the classic "Dreamspace" lineup together for an album. As a result, the summer 2009 will be spent writing and demoing songs for a late 2009 release tentatively titled PROJECT STRATO: "Return To Dreamspace". This album will see Timo Tolkki handling the vocals again and the fans of the "Twilight Time"/"Dreamspace" era will surely not be disappointed.

Regarding the musical direction of the CD, Tolkki previously said, "It has been 15 years from [STRATOVARIUS' 'Dreamspace'] album, so it will be interesting, for sure... It's not a 'remake,' but a brand new album. A closure for [what] I consider to be the end of STRATOVARIUS. It completes the cycle and returns to the beginning."

Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. The remaining STRATOVARIUS members — Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) — have since announced plans to carry on with new guitarist Matias Kupiainen.

Mary V. Crahan, the mother of SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan, passed away this past weekend at the age of 64. "No preaching from me, but spend as much time as you can with your parents! Time moves very fast!" Shawn wrote in an online posting.

According to the band, "Clown plans to return to the road shortly and appreciates everyone's understanding about his absence at the recent shows."

Fan-filmed video footage of Taylor addressing Clown absence during the band's May 1, 2009 concert in Toronto, Ontario can be viewed below.

Crahan previously missed several SLIPKNOT shows because his wife is ill with Crohn's disease.

In a 2005 interview with the Des Moines Register, Crahan spoke about his wife's illness. He said, "Right now has definitely been the hardest time in my life...health is the most important thing you have on this planet if you're gonna have a successful life." Crahan added that balancing family and band responsibilities has been one of his goals throughout his career: "That's the thing I fight for most in this biz, is family. I've been married 12 years, and my wife has let me do SLIPKNOT for 10...Family can and is being incorporated into rock 'n' roll. You can have a wife, you can have a child or children and be a rock 'n' roller."

Bassist Henkka Seppälä (a.k.a. Henkka T. Blacksmith) of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM recently spoke to Noisecreep about frontman Alexi Laiho's broken shoulder which he sustained when he was ejected from his bunk as a result of the band's tour bus taking an irregularly harsh sharp turn.

"It was a normal night," Henkka said. "He was in the bunk. Everybody went to bed and he sleeps in the highest bunk. Then at some point, he just woke up and he was trying to get out of the bunk at the same time the bus a little bit turned. It was bad timing. He fell down on the floor all the way from the bunk. I woke up and I helped him up. He was complaining that his neck hurts a little bit. Then he went back to bed."

A couple days later, Laiho sought a doctor's advice, according to Henkka. "It was pretty bad," he said. "X-rays showed there's a broken shoulder and internal bleeding. It should take six to four weeks to heal."

Against recommendation, Laiho has decided to remain on the road and will "bite the bullet" to give metal fans the electric live performances they have come to love from the Finnish act. For the duration of the "No Fear Energy Tour" — which also features LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING, GOD FORBID and MUNICIPAL WASTE and is set to run through May 15 — Alexi will be resigned to wearing the arm in a sling, restricting movement at all times when he is not on stage. "I am going through a great deal of pain every second that I am awake," Laiho said. "However, I can still play the guitar and I will give everything I have to try to finish this tour and play every remaining show!"

"He can play," Henkka concurred. "The thing is the movement of the arm is OK for playing. It's a little bit painful. I guess. He cannot move like normally. He can't do any tricks, he just has to stand and play. He has to take it easy to get it to heal. He just has to take a lot of painkillers, I guess. It's a big thing when you start canceling shows. If there's anyway we can do it, we'll do it. I think we've canceled two shows in our career. It would have to be pretty serious to do that."

Reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX — Martin van Drunen (vocals), Wannes Gubbels (bass/vocals), Paul Baayens (guitar) and Bob Bagchus (drums) — will release its comeback album, "Death...The Brutal Way", on June 22 via Century Media Records. War Anthem Records will release the LP version of the effort, which was recorded at the Sonic Assault studio and engineered by Frank Klein Douwel (who is also the band's live sound engineer). Mixing duties were handled Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.

Commented drummer Bob Bagchus: "We, ASPHYX, are proud to present that we just have refreshed the deal with our longtime label partner Century Media Records. We were one of their very first death metal signings in early '90s and we are very happy to see our new album, 'Death...The Brutal Way', being released by this very label. We, ASPHYX, are very excited about our new record since it's exactly, again, what we want to do as a band. It's dark, it's very heavy, it's extremely krushing and, most importantly, it comes from our souls. Songs like 'Asphyx II (They Died As They Marched)' or 'Bloodswamp' are probably amongst the heaviest death metal monsters ever. Also we are looking forward to the album release show in Essen. It will be great to play monsters like 'Black Hole Storm', 'Cape Horn' and 'Asphyx II (They Died As They Marched)' and many more live on stage."

The group previously said about the new CD: "Cliché or not, this truly IS the heaviest ASPHYX album of all. This could easily be THE real follow-up to 'The Last One On Earth'. The songs are as always catchy, brutal and straight-forward. The slower parts have become even more slow and heavier than ever before. This is doom/death metal in the real ASPHYX spirit. This will grind everything to its grave! This is death metal as we, ASPHYX, like it best. Old school to the bone!"

Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA have posted more video footage from the recording sessions for their new album. The latest clip focuses on the vocal recordings and can be viewed below.

Commented vocalist Simone Simons: "My job for the new album is done! I've spent quite some days at the studio to record my vocals and it sounds great! It is kind of symbolic that on the day where [EPICA's] 'Classical Conspiracy' is released, I am finished with the vocal recordings for our new studio album. As if it was meant to be."

EPICA guitarist Mark Jansen reportedly revealed in a recent Dutch intervew that the band's next studio album will be called "Design Your Universe". The group entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2 with producer Sascha Paeth to begin recording the follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy", tentatively due in September/October via Nuclear Blast Records.

Simons previously stated about EPICA's new material, "It is so exciting! I love the new songs and can't wait to play them live."

German progressive black metallers SECRETS OF THE MOON will release their new album, "Privilegivm", in September via Prophecy Productions. According to the band, the CD "was mastered by Peter in De Betou in Stockholm at Tailor Maid Production after weeks of mixing and endless listening sessions on car HiFi, headphones and monitor speakers."

"Privilegivm" was produced by Markus Stock and features the following track listing:

01. Privilegivm
02. Sulphur
03. Black Halo
04. I Maldoror
05. Harvest
Part I: I Forgive Myself
Part II: The Tree Of Life
Part III: Exsultet
06. For They Know Not
07. Queen Among Rats
08. Descent (instrumental)
09. Shepherd

The group also recorded two more tracks, including the cover of a song from "a well-known band."

German melodic hard rock masters JADED HEART are currently in the studio working on their new album for a tentative fall release via Frontiers Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Sinister Mind" will feature guest appearances by Vinnie Moore (UFO), Erik Mårtensson (ECLIPSE) and Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL, ex-THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT), who also wrote a song for the effort. The CD will be mixed by Chris Lausmann (RAILWAY, AFFAIR, FRONTLINE, BONFIRE) and the mastering sessions are scheduled to take place House of Audio studios with Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, ANGRA). Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Freedom Call", "Eternal Sleep", "Tonite", "Hell Just Arrived" and a ballad "One Life One Death".

According to drummer Axel Kruse, "There will be 11-12 songs on the new record. The style is perfectly in line with what we have done on 'Sinister', but… just better!"

DEAD BY APRIL, the Swedish "pop/metal" act featuring former members of NIGHTRAGE, BY NIGHT, EVILDOER, MINDFALL and DEATHDESTRUCTION, is streaming its self-titled debut album in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. Due in Sweden on May 13 via Universal, the CD was produced by Henrik Edenhed, who has previously worked with ROBYN, LAMBRETTA, TEDDYBEARS, CHRISTIAN WALTZ and THE SOUNDS.

"Dead By April" track listing:

01. Trapped
02. Angels of Clarity
03. Losing You
04. What Can I Say
05. Erased
06. Promise Me
07. Falling Behind
08. Sorry For Everything
09. In My Arms
10. Stronger
11. Carry Me
12. A Promise
13. I Made It

"Losing You", the first single from DEAD BY APRIL, last week topped the official chart in the band's home country.

"Losing You" will be released as a digital single in the U.K. on May 11 via Spinefarm Records. The title cut will be available, along with bonus cut "My Saviour", plus the "Losing You" video (which can be seen here).

DEAD BY APRIL will make its debut U.K. appearance with a headline show on May 27 at the Barfly in Camden Town, North London. A support act will be announced shortly.

According to the group's official bio, "DEAD BY APRIL is a collaboration between some free-spirited, like-minded musicians. It has evolved from just being a project to a full-time band in a very short amount of time."

SPIRALARMS, the San Francisco Bay Area-based band featuring Craig Locicero (FORBIDDEN, ex-MANMADEGOD) on guitar, Tim Narducci (ex-SYSTEMATIC) on vocals, Chris "Cornbread" Lombardo on bass, and Brad Barth on keyboards, will enter Sonic Room/Audio Voyage studios in late June/early July to begin recording a new album, tentatively titled "Highest Society". According to Narducci, "The record is shaping up nicely and is rounded out with hooks galore! We are going to approach this album much differently than past recordings, and go for a live feel. We did some demos last year where we just set up the band, some mikes, and went for it, and what came back through the speakers at us was truly SPIRALARMS at its finest."

"Highest Society" will be released through Luxury Buzz, the new label started by Narducci and Barth. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Blood And Wine", "Later On", "Live Another Day", "Scorpio", "Sleep Of The Just", "Silver Sky", and "All That You Seek".

Australian industrial death metallers THE BERZERKER, internationally renowned as one of the most brutal extreme metal bands performing today, are no strangers to controversy.

With five albums of extreme brutality, nightmarish lyrics, and worldwide tours chequered by audience riots, they have won themselves no shortage of mainstream protestors and diehard metal fans.

However, this latest move has the potential not only to further inflame their detractors, but potentially to alienate metal audiences likewise. THE BERZERKER have released a video clip of them performing a cover song.

A pop song.

Nobody could forget the Russian pop sensation T.A.T.U. with their high-pitched screeching on #1 track "All The Things She Said" — a ridiculously catchy song whose popularity was largely due to their status as underage lesbians and the film clip of the two girls kissing in school uniform in the rain.

Yes, THE BERZERKER, extreme metal band, has covered "All The Things She Said", underage lesbian anthem. And, of course, the accompanying film clip had to up the ante on the original, featuring two of Australia's best-known fetish models getting raunchy and inspiring two schoolgirl viewers to explore their own sexuality, and each other, in their child-like bedroom.

The film clip has been on YouTube for only a matter of hours and has already not only had a record number of views and comments declaring it to be "the greatest film clip in the world ever," with fans demanding the track be released as a single for sale; but has also received a record number of complaints, with the clip, despite having no nudity nor violence, being restricted to 18+ status.

Stay tuned for the next instalment in what is likely to be an ongoing controversy, and see the clip now before further complaints see it removed altogether!

Colombia's rock site Ruidosis.net has uploaded video footage of HEAVEN & HELL performing the new song "Bible Black" for the first time this past Tuesday (May 5) at Coliseo Cubierto El Campín in Bogota. Watch the clip below.

HEAVEN & HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar), Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — kicked off its world tour in Bogota by playing the following set:

01. E5150
02. Mob Rules
03. Children of the Sea
04. I
05. Bible Black
06. Time Machine
07. Drum Solo
08. Fear
09. Falling off the Edge of the World
10. Follow the Tears
11. Die Young
12. Heaven & Hell

Encore:

13. Country Girl (not whole song) / Neon Knights

Reunited seminal grindcore/extreme metal outfit BRUTAL TRUTH will relase its first-ever DVD, "For the Ugly and Unwanted - This is Grindcore", in Europe on June 22 via Season of Mist (June 2 in the U.S.). The disc contains a full show shot with five cameras at the Obscene Extreme Festival 2007 in Czech Republic and four more full shows from the "Sounds of the Animal Kindgom" tour as extras.

"For the Ugly and Unwanted - This is Grindcore" track listing:

01. Dementia
02. K.A.P.
03. Vision
04. Blind Leading The Blind
05. Pass Some Down
06. Let's Go To War
07. Godplayer
08. Turnface
09. Choice Of A New Generation
10. Birth Of Ignorance
11. Stench Of Profit
12. Sisterfucker
13. Fucktoy
14. Sympathy Kiss
15. Pork Farm
16. Everflow
17. Kill Trend Suicide
18. Jiminez Cricket
19. Walking Corpse
20. Collateral Damage
21. Time
22. Fisting
23. Hypocrite
24. Invasion
25. Foolish Bastard
26. Displacement

Note that this is only the track listing to the main show of the DVD, since there are four other shows included.

"Evolution Through Revolution", the first full-length album in 10 years from BRUTAL TRUTH, sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 65 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

BRUTAL TRUTH bassist Danny Lilker commented: "BRUTAL TRUTH has worked our asses off to write and arrange some of the sickest, most inhuman grindcore ever created. With Jason PC from BLOOD DUSTER handling the mix, we're positive that the music and production on 'Evolution Through Revolution' will satisfy the cravings of the sickest bastards out there."

Drummer Richard Hoak added: "I think 'Evolution Through Revolution' is the best BRUTAL TRUTH record by far! We are all totally psyched about the songs and the production and can't wait to start bringing our grinding soundtrack to the end of history live and direct to the people! Hell yeah!"

CODE — the British/Norwegian black metal project featuring bassist/backing vocalist Viper (a.k.a. Vicotnik from DHG), guitarist/songwriter Aort, drummer Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, CRADLE OF FILTH) and vocalist Kvohst (DØDHEIMSGARD) — has posted another new song, "In The Privacy Of Your Own Bones", on its MySpace page. The track comes off CODE's second album, "Resplendent Grotesque", which is scheduled for release on June 1.

"Resplendent Grotesque" track listing:

01. Smother The Crones
02. In The Privacy Of Your Own Bones
03. The Rattle Of Black Teeth
04. Possession Is The Medicine
05. Jesus Fever
06. I Hold Your Light
07. A Sutra Of Wounds
08. The Ascendent Grotesque

The cover artwork for "Resplendent Grotesque" can be viewed here.

Commented the band: "[The artwork was] created, painted and lovingly slaved over by the enigmatic, brilliant and cult artist Stephen Kasner. We are eternally grateful and blessed for his vivid and inspired portrayal of our music. As the man himself remarked, 'I feel very successful in channeling the emotions and ideas, in my own way, as they were described to me. And of course, your music was more than enough to evoke the demons. They have made themselves clearly known in these works, I am certain.'"

According to the band, the follow-up to 2005's "Nouveau Gloaming" will contain "songs of necrospiritual dust and desertion, crafted by bony hands in blackbird gloves." Aort previously stated about the CD, "Adrian completely devastated the drums for this recording and Vicotnik has manageed to really outdo himself with his most inspired bass work yet. I think we have all raised the bar with this recording and we are itching to get these morbid hymns out to you."

Swedish death metallers AS YOU DROWN have made a new song, "Ruins And Dead Ends", available for free download at this location. The track comes off the band's debut album, "Reflection", due on July 6 in Europe via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at the band's own studio, the AYD Studio, and was mixed and mastered at Studio Mega by Christian Silver (THE CROWN, SONIC SYNDICATE, IMPIOUS).

"Since the recording of the latest self-produced demo went beyond expectations, we came to the conclusion of building our own recording studio," the group said.

"Reflection" track listing:

01. Ruins And Dead Ends
02. Horns
03. What Is Worst
04. Driven By Hatred
05. Swallow
06. The Last
07. Open Wound Salvation
08. Ashes
09. Needles

Hengelo, Netherlands-based death/thrash quintet DEVIOUS will release its third full-length album, "Vision", on August 31 via Deity Down Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Domain" is being engineered by Frank Klein Douwel and is scheduled to be mixed by producer Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES) at the Split Second Sound studios, Netherlands. The CD will feature eight songs, including "Respiration Of Fear" and "Heritage Of The Reckless".

Check out the cover artwork by graphic artist Hrödger here.

DEVIOUS' current lineup is as follows:

Guido De Jongh (guitar)
Frank Schilperoort (drums)
Arnold Oude Middendorp (vocals)
Wouter Huitema (guitar)
Daniel Centiago (bass)

Stockholm, Sweden-based death/black metallers NECROPHOBIC will release their new album, "Death To All", in Europe on May 29 via Regain Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Celebration Of The Goat (4:42)
02. Revelation 666 (6:54)
03. La Satanisma Muerte (3:36)
04. For Those Who Stayed Satanic (4:57)
05. Temple Of Damnation (5:55)
06. The Tower (4:45)
07. Wings Of Death (5:12)
08. Death To All (8:44)

The song "Revelation 666", is available for streaming at this location.

The long-delayed digibox from NECROPHOBIC, entitled "Satanic Blasphemies", was released in April via Regain Records. The CD features material from the band's first two demos (1990's "Slow Asphyxiation" and 1991's "Unholy Prophecies") plus "The Call" 7" EP from 1992 and includes a poster and a patch. It was remastered at the Cutting Room by Peter In de Betou.

Germany's death metal and hardcore fusionists HEAVEN SHALL BURN will release their first DVD, "Bildersturm – Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance)", on May 25 in Europe via Century Media Records. In addition to "incredible" live material, the DVD includes a comprehensive documentary and loads of other content.

"Bildersturm – Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance)" will be available in three different formats: a limited-edition three-disc box set including two DVDs as well as a live CD; 2DVD and CD.

The stunning artwork was once created by Bastian Sobtzick (CALLEJON, WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH) and continues the visual tradition of the band's latest studio album, "Iconoclast (Part One: The Final Resistance)".

"Bildersturm – Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance)" track listing:

"Joel" DVD

I. Live At Summer Breeze

01. Intro
02. Endzeit
03. Counterweight
04. Profane Believers
05. Murderers Of All Murderers
06. The Only Truth
07. Forlorn Skies
08. If This Is A Man
09. The Weapon They Fear
10. Voice Of The Voiceless
11. Like A Thousand Suns
12. Black Tears
13. Behind A Wall Of Silence

II. "Leitmotiv" Documentary

III. Video Clips

* The Weapon They Fear
* Counterweight
* Endzeit
* Black Tears

"Amarthius" DVD

I. Live In Vienna

01. Intro
02. Endzeit
03. Counterweight
04. Profane Believers
05. Behind A Wall Of Silence
06. Murderers Of All Murderers
07. Voice Of The Voiceless
08. The 7th Cross
09. No One Will Shed A Tear
10. The Weapon They Fear
11. Forlorn Skies
12. To Inherit The Guilt
13. If This Is A Man
14. Like A Thousand Suns
15. Of No Avail
16. Black Tears

II. Metal Cooking

III. Bonus Features

* Euro tour diary
* U.S. tour diary
* Backstage and more
* Live medley
* Band rehearsal

"Decade Of Expression" CD track listing:

Live In Vienna:

01. Endzeit
02. Counterweight
03. Profane Believers
04. Behind A Wall Of Silence
05. The Seventh Cross
06. Partisan
07. To Inherit The Guilt
08. If This Is A Man
09. Black Tears

Live At Summer Breeze:

10. The Weapon They Fear
11. Voice Of The Voiceless
12. Like A Thousand Suns
13. Murderers Of All Murderers
14. The Only Truth
15. Forlorn Skies

A trailer for the DVD can be viewed at Metal.de.

British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST will releasing their demos, "Paradise Lost" (1988) and "Frozen Illusion" (1989), on CD. These raw recordings, which saw the band still firmly rooted in the field of doomy death metal, are being accompanied by six live tracks from the "Plains Of Desolation" bootleg, which has never been officially released as well. All songs have been digitally remastered and the release is strictly limited!

Guitarist Greg Mackintosh states: "Well what can I say about the re-release of our demos? This delves right down into our murky, sludgy beginnings. They may not be the best-produced demos ever, but they really sum up the raw honesty of a very exciting time in the U.K. and European underground heavy music scene. We always preferred our demos to our first album as we felt that the demos more succinctly captured the 'wallowing in a quagmire' sound. Hopefully these recordings will be taken for what they are ...the prime evil foundations of what was later to become gothic metal!"

Featuring extensive liner notes by vocalist Nick Holmes and a stunning vinyl replica packaging, "Drown In Darkness - The Early Demos" is a must-have for every PARADISE LOST fan and despite all its roughness, a sonic manifest of the early days of one of the most influential metal bands ever!

"Drown In Darkness - The Early Demos" (57:26) track listing:

01. Drown In Darkness (4:38)
02. Internal Torment (5:05)
03. Morbid Existence (2:38)
04. Paradise Lost (5:24)
05. Internal Torment (5:40)
06. Frozen Illusion (5:16)
07. Internal Torment (live) (4:40)
08. Our Saviour (live) (5:56)
09. Plains Of Desolation (live) (4:10)
10. Drown In Darkness (live) (4:37)
11. Paradise Lost (live) (5:34)
12. Nuclear Abomination (live) (3:48)

Tracks 1-3 taken from the "Paradise Lost" demo (1988)
Tracks 4- 6 taken from the "Frozen Illusion" demo (1989)
Tracks 7- 12 taken from the "Plains Of Desolation" bootleg (1989)

"Drown In Darkness - The Early Demos" will be released via Century Media Records in Europe on May 25, 2009!

The brand-new PARADISE LOST studio album is expected to surface in September.

Mainman Christofer Johnsson of Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION had a meeting with singer Thomas Vikström (ex-CANDLEMASS) several weeks ago and offered him permanent status in the band.

Commented Christofer: "Thomas is, besides being a very warm and nice person, an incredibly talented singer and songwriter. And while also being a classically trained tenor, he simply fits perfectly into the band."

THERION's new rhythm section is comprised of Johan Koleberg (ANIMAL, ZAN CLAN, LION'S SHARE) on drums and Nalle "Grizzly" Påhlsson (TREAT, ZAN CLAN, VINDICTIV) on bass guitar.

Nuclear Blast Records has set a June 5 release date for "The Miskolc Experience", the new CD/DVD from THERION.

The set's description reads as follows: "After the phenomenal last studio album 'Gothic Kabbalah' (2007), easily THERION's most stunning effort since 'Theli', and the follow-up live CD 'Live Gothic' (2008), THERION mastermind and only remaining founding member Christofer Johnsson decided to go for a rather special project: the band's appearance at the remarkable and renowned International Opera Festival in Miskolc, Hungary in 2007 was taped on and off stage to preserve a truly unique classic metal event for the THERION fanbase! The first part — dubbed 'Classical Adventures' — features some of Christofer's favourite composers (especially his all-time fave, Wagner) and does completely without guitars or any metal instrumentation whatsoever. Just orchestra and choir. Part two, 'Therion Songs', delivers exactly that: finest THERION material performed by the band, a huge orchestra and choir. Rounding off 'The Miskolc Experience' is an entertaining documentary which gives insight in the complicated organisation and the no less complicated execution with all ups and downs for the involved crew and musicians.

"'The Miskolc Experience' is the testimony of the brilliant Johnsson/Niemann/Niemann/Karlsson THERION lineup which Christofer Johnsson decided to dissolve in late 2008. This chapter of THERION is closed, a new era is about to begin — and THERION will soon open the book once again!"

DVD + CD track listing:

Part 1 - Classical Adventures: (44 min.)

01. Clavicula Nox
02. Dvorak: Excerpt from Symphony no. 9
03. Verdi: Vedi! le fosche notturne spotigle from Il Trovatore
04. Mozart: "Dies Irae" from Reqiuem
05. Saint-Saens: Excerpt from Symphony No. 3
06. Wagner: "Notung! Notung! Niedliches Schwert!" from The Ring
07. Wagner: Excerpt from the Overture from Rienzi
08. Wagner: Second part of "Der Tag ist da" from Rienzzi
09. Wagner: First part of "Herbei! Herbei!" from Rienzi

Part 2 - Therion Songs: (66 min.)

01. Blood Of Kingu
02. Sirius B
03. Lemuria
04. Eternal Return
05. Draconian Trilogy
06. Schwartsalbenheim
07. Via Nocturna
08. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
09. Grand Finale

Bonus Features (DVD only):

* Documentary (20 min.)
* Therion Goes Classic – Bucharest (16 min.)

The first two Century Media releases from Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY — "Stigmata" (1998) and "Burning Bridges" (1999) — will be reissued in Europe on May 25, 2009, featuring new layouts, additional slipcase packaging, multiple bonus tracks (including live tracks from Japan featuring former vocalist Johan Liiva) and much more.

Commented guitarist Michael Amott: "I recently worked with the Century Media team on putting the reissues of 'Stigmata' and 'Burning Bridges' together. There's a bunch of cool bonus tracks on both albums plus track by track commentary from myself and liner notes from ex-vocalist Johan Liiva. These reissues came out just right and I hope the ARCH ENEMY die-hards as well as newcomers will dig checking them out!"

"Stigmata" (reissue):

01. Beast Of Man (3:37)
02. Stigmata (2:11)
03. Sinister Mephisto (5:46)
04. Dark of The Sun (7:00)
05. Let The Killing Begin (5:19)
06. Black Earth (6:40)
07. Tears Of The Dead (5:55)
08. Vox Stellarum (2:09)
09. Bridge Of Destiny (7:46)

Bonus Tracks:

10. Hydra (0:57)
11. Diva Satanica (3:44)
12. Damnation’s Way (3:50)
13. Diva Satanica (live) (4:05)
14. Beast Of Man (live) (3:38)
15. Bass Intro / Tears Of The Dead (live) (6:05)
16. Bridge Of Destiny (live) 5:42)

Total playing time: 74:24

"Burning Bridges" (reissue):

01. The Immortal (3:43)
02. Dead Inside (4:13)
03. Pilgrim (4:33)
04. Silverwing (4:08)
05. Demonic Science (5:23)
06. Seed Of Hate (4:09)
07. Angelclaw (4:06)
08. Burning Bridges (5:31)

Bonus Tracks:

09. Fields Of Desolation '99 (6:02)
10. Star Breaker (3:27)
11. Aces High (4:26)
12. Scream Of Anger (3:50)
13. The Immortal (live) (3:55)
14. Dead Inside (live) (4:35)
15. Pilgrim (live) (4:34)
16. Silverwing (live) (4:16)
17. Angelclaw (live) (4:39)

Total playing time: 75:30

A spokesperson representing Jason Rubin, the creator of the Iron and the Maiden comic book, has released a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET in reponse to a lawsuit filed by the British heavy metal band IRON MAIDEN.

MAIDEN is suing Rubin's comic book company, Iron and the Maiden LLC, because, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, the "confusingly similar" name was a ploy used to profit off the band's heavily trademarked name.

A spokesperson representing Mr. Rubin and his companies, Iron and the Maiden LLC and Morgan Rose LLC, released the following statement:

"The Iron and the Maiden legal team believes that this case is completely without merit. It is outrageous to claim ownership of the well-known term 'Iron Maiden,' a medieval torture device that predates rock and roll by centuries and is part of world culture, legend, and lore.

"The comic book at the center of this case, 'Iron and the Maiden', is set in an alternate universe 1930s. The main character, Michael Iron, and his maiden, Angel Chase, are two very different characters forced together by circumstances. The title is a play on the torture device. Any rational person who looks at the property at www.ironandthemaiden.com will immediately understand how ridiculous the assertions made in the complaint are."

IRON MAIDEN wants Iron and the Maiden LLC to stop using the Iron And The Maiden name to sell its comic books, video games and other merchandise. Not only do they wish the materials pulled, but they are also seeking an undisclosed amount for damages/costs.

DEMONICAL, the Swedish death metal band featuring past and present members from CENTINEX, GRAVE, REGURGITATE, INTERMENT, AMARAN, WORLD BELOW and DELLAMORTE, has posted another new song, "Götter des Nordens", on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off DEMONICAL's second full-length album, "Hellsworn", which is scheduled for release on May 15. The follow-up to 2007's "Servants of the Unlight" was recorded at Necromorbus Studios (WATAIN, SETHERIAL) and was mastered at Black Lounge Studios in late January.

Commented the group: "Finally we are done with the recording, mixing and mastering of 'Hellsworn'. It sure took ages and caused some frustration but I assure you, it was worth it. We are utterly satisfied with the final result, this old-school death metal slab in nine acts turned out exactly the way we wanted."

"Hellsworn" track listing:

01. Baptized in Fire
02. World Serpent
03. Infernal Void
04. Bloodridden
05. Götter des Nordens
06. Children of Sin
07. Death Metal Darkness
08. Bow to the Monolith
09. Hellsworn

On May 21, fans will be able to download and play IN FLAMES' "Disconnected" on Guitar Hero World Tour.

For information on how to download the track, click here.

This is the second time IN FLAMES is featured on a Guitar Hero game and this time around it is as part of the fifth Track Pack which is released for Guitar Hero World Tour.

IN FLAMES was previously featured on Guitar Hero 3: Legends Of Rock with the track "Take This Life".

Commented the band: "It is a great honor to be part of the Guitar Hero experience for the second time. Guitar Hero is a great social game which has become even better with the added instruments to Guitar Hero World Tour. We have tried our new track 'Disconnected' and it's as hard, if not even harder than 'Take This Life', so we sure have some practicing to do. And so do you!"

"Disconnected" is taken from IN FLAMES' latest album, "A Sense Of Purpose", which came out in April 2008.

"Disconnected" will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system for $5.49. All songs in the Track Packs will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PlayStation 3 system for $1.99 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each.

MUSICA DIABLO — the São Paulo, Brazil-based thrash metal project featuring SEPULTURA singer Derrick Green, guitarist Andre NM (NITROMINDS), drummer Marcão (AÇÃO DIRETA, DEAD FISH) and bassist Ricardo Brigas — has posted a new song, "Live To Buy", on the band's MySpace page.

"Live To Buy" is one of 16 new tracks that MUSICA DIABLO recently demoed so that they can be shopped to European labels by the group's new manager, Tommy Morriello of Crash Bang Booking & Management. According to Morriello, "The song, besides [having] strong influences of old-school thrash, brings a touch of grind to the scene."

MUSICA DIABLO will embark on a European tour in November. Derrick will have some time off from SEPULTURA and André will already be in Europe promoting the latest NITROMINDS album, "The Verge of Time" (Century Media Brazil). Support on the trek will come from CHAINFIST, the new metal/rock band featuring Michael Kopietz (ex-FROZEN SUN, PANZERCHRIST).

MUSICA DIABLO's European tour will be booked by the Go Down Believing agency, which also handles such artists as PRO-PAIN, HATESPHERE, ILLDISPOSED etc.

Formed in January 2008, MUSICA DIABLO recorded its debut demo at C4 Studios.