Retroactive Records and Liberty N' Justice are proud to announce "guest" musicians for two more songs for LNJ's up coming 2009 release Light It Up. Lynn Louise Lowrey of Vixen & Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister join forces on the song "Blink" and bandmates, Ted Poley of Danger Danger/Poley-Rivera & Vic Rivera of Crunch/Poley-Rivera rock out on the song "Man vs. MotherNature". These 4 join already announced guest musicians Robert Mason of Warrant/ Lynch Mob, Jerry Dixon of Warrant, Marq Torien of Bulletboys, Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P., Les Carlson of Bloodgood, Oz Fox of Stryper/Bloodgood, Dale & Troy Thompson of Bride! Starting on May 3rd you can hear two songs from LNJ's new CD at www.myspace.com/libertynjustice2 but listen quickly they will only be up for one week! The updated track listing is below and go to www.libertynjustice.net and let us know what you think!

2009 Retroactive Records release by Liberty N' Justice to be titled Light It Up (Formerly announced title: "The Cigar Chronicles")
01. Light It Up 02. The Other Thief (feat. Dale and Toy Thompson of Bride) 03. Blink (feat. Lynn Louise Lowrey of Vixen & Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister) 04. Do What You Believe 05. Man vs. Mother Nature (feat.Ted Poley of Danger Danger/ Poley-Rivera & Vic Rivera of Crunch/ Poley-Rivera) 06. Treading On Serpents (feat. Les Carlson Bloodgood & Oz Foz of Stryper/ Bloodgood) 07. Uncle Sam 08. Every Reason To Believe 09. Wrestling With God 10. Best Time You Never Had 11. Beautiful Decision 12. Drunk De ad Gorgeous (feat. Marq Torien of Bulletboys and Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P.) 13. Greed (feat. Robert Mason Warrant/ Lynch Mob & Jerry Dixon of Warrant) 14. For Better Or Worse.

SKYCLAD, the seminal British band which is often referred to as "the originator of folk metal," has issued the following update:

"Just a note to say that we are awakening from our hibernation to start doing some gigs in support of the new album, 'In The... All Together'. First up, we have a 'warm-up' gig at Langley Park, Durham on Sunday, May 2. This is a charity gig, and for those who are making the trip I said I would post the post code for the old Sat Nav (it is Front Street, Langley Park, Durham, DH7 9SG as far as I can guess). I've posted this info on the events page and hopefully we'll meet up there and share a jar and a chat for the forthcoming year."

SKYCLAD's twelfth album, "In The… All Together" was released via Scarlet Records. The CD, which was recorded and mixed by Dario Mollo (THE CAGE, VOODOO HILL) at Damage Inc Studio, in Ventimiglia, Italy during August 2008, "mixes the usual thrash/speed metal influences with the extraordinary folk melodies that made the band famous all around the world, maintaining a fresh and dynamic approach which gives a strong live dimension to the new songs," according to a press release.

Formed in 1990 by Martin Walkyer (SABBAT) and Steve Ramsey (SATAN, PARIAH), SKYCLAD gained extraordinary attention from both the press and the public with the now-legendary debut album "The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth" (1991) and, since then, has built up a solid reputation which led them to take part in some of the most important international metal events (such as the renowned Dynamo, Wacken, Gods of Metal and Tuska festivals) and share the stage with some of the most respected artists of their time.

Boston, Massachusetts-based hardcore/metal band BURY YOUR DEAD has posted a new song, "Hurting Not Helping", on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off BURY YOUR DEAD's new album,"It's Nothing Personal", which is scheduled for release on May 26 via Victory Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Hurting Not Helping
02. Without You
03. Broken Body
04. The Great Demonizer
05. Dead End Lovesong
06. Swan Song
07. Lakota
08. The Forgotten
09. Lion's Den
10. Legacy of Ashes
11. Closed Eyes
12. Enough

"ReUnation - A Tribute To Running Wild" — the upcoming tribute to German metal legends RUNNING WILD which will contain cover versions of songs exclusively from the albums "The Rivalry" (1998), "Victory" (2000), "The Brotherhood" (2002) and "Rogues En Vogue" (2005) — will be released in fall 2009 by the Hamburg-based label Remedy Records as a limited two-CD set for the price of a normal album — an exclusive collector's item and a definite must-have for all heavy rock and metal fans.

Commented Jens Pohl, RUNNING WILD's webmaster: "This album will not be just an ordinary tribute to anyone, this is going to be a farewell gift to one of the most influential bands in heavy metal, paying homage to [RUNNING WILD mainman] Rock'n'Rolf as a musician and — due to the current situation — to many of his latest songs but not solely. I am really happy, proud and grateful at the same time that this tribute album features some legends as well as some of the most promising and uprising heavy rock and metal acts you should not miss! My deepest appreciation to everyone being involved. Thanks."

The complete track listing is as follows (in alphabetical order):

* 5TH SONIC BRIGADE, Sweden - "Angel Of Mercy"
* CHINCHILLA, Germany - "Conquistadores"
* CRYSTAL VIPER, Poland - "Libertalia"
* CUSTARD, Germany - "Under Jolly Roger"
* DEADLOCK, Germany - "When Time Runs Out"
* ESENIA, Spain - "Resurrection"
* EVERTALE, Germany - "Blazon Stone"
* FATE, Denmark - "Soul Vampires"
* HALOR, Hungary - "Little Big Horn"
* HEAVENLY, France - "Masquerade"
* HELLISH WAR, Brazil - "Return Of The Gods"
* JOSÉ JUAN GALLEGO, Spain - "Draw The Line"
* MAGICA, Romania - "Victory"
* MOTORJESUS, Germany - "The Rivalry"
* ORDEN OGAN, Germany - "The Battle Of Waterloo"
* OVERTURES, Italy - "Pirate Song"
* POWERWOLF, Romania / Germany - "Riding The Storm"
* RAVAGE, USA - "Fight The Fire Of Hate"
* SATANOCHIO, Romania - "Siberian Winter"
* SEVEN SEAS, Germany - "Detonator"
* SKILTRON, Argentina - "Ballad Of William Kidd"
* SOLEMNITY, Germany - "Dr. Horror"
* SUIDAKRA, Germany - "Marooned"
* THUNDERBLAST, Colombia - "Timeriders"
* THUNDERSTORM feat. Preacher, Romania - "Welcome To Hell"
* WARHEAD, Germany - "Faceless"
* WILD KNIGHT feat. Frank Knight & Majk Moti, United Kingdom / Germany - "Tsar"
* WINTERS DAWN, Greece - "Into The Fire"
* WITCHTRAP, Colombia - "Victim Of States Power"
* WITHERING SOUL, USA - "Firebreather"

"I Never Wanted", the new video from the Grammy-nominated San Diego metal act AS I LAY DYING, can be viewed below. (Note: Video stream may not be available to some non-U.S. residents.)

Commented guitarist Phil Sgrosso: "We've talked about doing a video for 'I Never Wanted' for quite some time now. Most videos that we've done have been for more fast and aggressive songs that have the usual AILD sound to it but we wanted to mix things up and do a video for a slower (but still heavy!) song that would be made up of footage from our new DVD, 'This Is Who We Are'."

He added, "Denise Korycki filmed and directed our DVD so we thought it would be perfect for her to make a video that incorporated mostly footage from the DVD, plus some bonus stuff as well! The live footage is made up of several shows that we played in the past few years while the 'hanging out' footage was shot mostly while we were...well...hanging out. Not much more to it, I guess! Generally it takes us a day or two to film one of our videos but in a way, it took several years to make 'I Never Wanted' what it is. I hope you enjoy it."

AS I LAY DYING's first-ever DVD, "This Is Who We Are", sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on the Top Music Videos chart. It also debuted at No. 3 in Canada, where the DVD has already shipped platinum.

Newly signed to Nuclear Blast Records, Montreal juggernauts AUGURY will release their long-awaited new album, "Fragmentary Evidence", on July 17 in Europe and August 11 in North America. The CD was produced by Hugues Deslauriers (CLEARWATER DEATHBLOW), Yannick St-Amand (DESPISED ICON) and AUGURY, and was mixed by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, MALEVOLENT CREATION). It was mastered by James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, DISINCARNATE). The artwork and layout was handled by Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED).

"Fragmentary Evidence" track listing:

01. Aetheral (4:18)
02. Simian Cattle (5:38)
03. Orphans Of Living (5:10)
04. Jupiter To Ignite (8:24)
05. Sovereigns Unknown (5:13)
06. Skyless (6:30)
07. Faith Puppeteers (4:07)
08. Brimstone Landscapes (4:30)
09. Oversee The Rebirth (11:12)

The CD features guest vocals by Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED, SYSTEM DIVIDE), Syriak and Leilindel (UNEXPECT), Youri Raymond (CRYPTOPSY, UNHUMAN), Sébastien Croteau (NECROTIC MUTATION), Filip Ivanovic (AGONY), Eric Fiset (OBSCENE CRISIS, NERVOUS IMPULSE).

"Awake?", the new album from the influential heavy music act ZAO, is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. Due on May 5 via Ferret Music, the follow-up to 2006's "The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here" was recorded in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (near Greensburg); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Encinitas, California; and San Marcos, California. AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis and Daniel Castleman headed up the proceedings, along with ZAO's Scott Mellinger, for what is shaping up to be another monumental ZAO album.

According to a posting on ZAO's MySpace page, "Awake?" features a brand new version of "Romance of the Southern Spirit", which "has finally been given the sonic quality it deserves with a brand new recording that smashes the basement b-side version you've heard."

"Awake?" track listing:

01. 1,000,000 Outstretched Arms Of Nothing
02. Entropica
03. The Eyes Behind The Throne
04. Human Cattle Masses Marching Forward
05. Romance Of The Southern Spirit
06. What Will You Find?
07. Awake?
08. Quiet Passenger Pt. 1
09. Reveal
10. Quiet Passenger Pt. 2/The World Caved In

CHILDREN OF BODOM guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho broke his shoulder earlier this week after falling from his tour bus bunk while travelling with the rest of the band during the No Fear Energy Tour with LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING, GOD FORBID and MUNICIPAL WASTE.

Addressing the audience prior to launching into the song "Hellhounds On My Trail" during CHILDREN OF BODOM's April 29 set at The Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri, Laiho stated (see video below), "I've gotta tell you something. Three nights ago, I fucking fell down from my bunk on the fucking tour bus, and I broke my fucking shoulder, so I've got a fucking broken bone right now. I fucking apologize — I can't fucking move, I can't fucking sing; I'm fucking just standing here like a fucking idiot, so fucking try to bear with me, alright?!"

Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW has issued the following statement:

"MOONSORROW played in Montreal [Quebec, Canada] at the Medley club on April 29. Sometime during the day/night, someone broke in the tour bus and stole our very special ESP custom shop Star guitar [pictured below]. The guitar is cream white with abalone star shaped inlays and gold hardware. The guitar can be easily recognized by the star inlays on frets 3, 5, 7, 12, 15 and 17 and creamy 'vintage white' color. The back of the neck is not painted. It was in a rectangular flight case made by Finnish company Transit Case.

"The guitar's serial number is: T0842201

"If you have seen the guitar, or you know where it is, PLEASE contact the police and send an e-mail to: mitja.harvilahti@gmail.com. You can also call or send SMS to +358451376836.

"The person who finds the guitar or gives the clue that leads us finding it, will be rewarded with 400 euros (approximately $530).

"The guitar was Janne's [Perttilä] most beloved instrument and an important part of MOONSORROW's live performance.

"We beg you to keep your eyes open for this guitar.

"Along with the guitar was stolen Mitja Harvilahti's [guitar] grey suitcase, including clothes, accessories and a Canon Autozoom 1014 Super8 film camera.

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".

Death metal butchers ABORTED will re-release their most critically acclaimed records through Listenable Records. The band's third and fourth albums — "Goremageddon, The Saw And The Carnage Done" and "The Archaic Abattoir" — will feature new art design and bonus tracks.

The details are as follows:

"Goremageddon, The Saw And The Carnage Done" track listing:

01. Meticulous Invagination
02. Parasitic Flesh Resection
03. The Saw And The Carnage Done
04. Ornaments Of Derision
05. Sanguine Verses (Of Extirpation)
06. Charted Carnal Effigy
07. Clinical Colostomy
08. Medical Deviance
09. Sea Of Cartilage
10. Nemesis
11. Carnal Forge (CARCASS cover; bonus track)
12. Gestated Rabidity (bonus track)
13. Voracious Haemoglobinic Syndrome (bonus track)

"The Archaic Abattoir" track listing:

01. Dead Wreckoning
02. Blood Fixing The Bled
03. Gestated Rabidity
04. Hecatomb
05. The Gangrenous Epitaph
06. The Inertia
07. A Cold Logistic Slaughter
08. Threading On Vermillion Deception
09. Voracious Haemoglobinic Syndrome
10. Descend Into Extirpation
11. The Sanctification Of Refornication (bonus track)
12. Drowned (ENTOMBED cover; bonus track)

SATURNUS announced new line-up on MySpace:

"SATURNUS is currently working on new tracks with a line-up consisting of new and old members of the band. For various reasons Anders Ro Nielsen, Tais Pedersen, Peter Poulsen and Nikolaj Borg has left the band.

SATURNUS now consists of the founding members: Thomas A.G. Nielsen and Brian Hansen. Guitarist Rune Stiassny which supported us at The Ethereal Sessions tour in 2008 is now a member of SATURNUS.

Future members and concert dates will be will be announced soon.

www.saturnus.dk is no longer the official Saturnus homepage. www.myspace.com/saturnus is until otherwise announced the place to get the SATURNUS news."

TIWANAKU, the central Florida-based metal band featuring Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY) on vocals, Emo Mowery (ex-NOCTURNUS) on guitar/vocals and Mike Estes (BURNING INSIDE, ACHERON) on guitar, has issued the following update:

"While we are completing the pre-production work for the debut album, we wanted to give you a little something more. Maor Appelbaum of Appelbaum Mastering in Encino, California, who mastered recordings from artists such as YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, FIGHT, HALFORD, F5 (featuring Dave Ellefson of MEGADETH), and many others, has taken our two demo songs and brought out the beast in them!"

Commented Mowery: "Not even a day after the latest press release, Maor contacted us interested in stepping up and making these two songs what they are now. He did an awesome job and even gave us more than one version to choose from! His professionalism and willingness to work with us was right on time! Thanks, Maor! We'll be back!"

TIWANAKU recently posted two new demo tracks on the band's official web site. Check out "Playing God" and "Ghost War" at this location.

TIWANAKU is preparing to enter the studio to begin recording its full-length debut for a late 2009 release. The CD will be produced by Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, QUEENSRŸCHE, DOKKEN) and will feature a guest appearance by CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster.

The band writes in a press release: "For those familiar with the EP released by TIWANAKU several years ago, the essence of that genesis has been captured, intensified and is ready to be unleashed as a truly new breed of beast."

TIWANAKU has plans to back up this release with a video and with tours of the USA, Europe, South America and the rest of the world.

Multinational melodic metallers EDEN'S CURSE have released the video for "Angels & Demons" (see below) which includes a duet with Pamela Moore, best known for her performance as Sister Mary on QUEENSRŸCHE's 1988 epic release "Operation: Mindcrime" and 2006's sequel "Operation: Mindcrime II".

"Angels & Demons" will be featured on Damien Dante's forthcoming original motion picture "Jezebeth", which will be released via Satania 6 Films later in 2009, as well as the Dark Star Records accompanying soundtrack. The band has also inked a deal to include the promo video as a bonus inclusion on the DVD release of "Jezebeth".

EDEN'S CURSE will head out on tour of the U.K. and Ireland next month with Finnish power metal sensations STRATOVARIUS and Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND.

German death metallers LAY DOWN ROTTEN will release their fifth album, "Gospel Of The Wretched", in Europe on May 11 via Metal Blade Records (May 8 in Germany). The CD was recorded at the Desert Inn studios in Germany and was mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH) at Unisound studios in Örebro, Sweden.

Five songs from the album are now available for streaming at this location.

According to a press release, "'Gospel Of The Wretched' not only features nine songs of supreme death metal but also guest appearances by three of the most legendary death metal singers in history: Martin van Drunen (HAIL OF BULLETS, ASPHYX, PESTILENCE), Marc Grewe (MORGOTH) and Dan Swanö. Guitarist Daniel Jakobi says, "This is like a dream come true for all of us since we grew up listening to those masterpieces they appeared on." He adds, "This is easily our most ambitious album so far offering the best sound quality of all albums we recorded yet!"

"Gospel Of The Wretched" track listing:

01. Gospel Of The Wretched
02. Thy Won't Be Done
03. Hours Of Infinity
04. Altering The Whore
05. Conditioning The Weak
06. He Who Sows Hate
07. Beyond Damnation
08. When All Becomes Nothing
09. Where Spirits Lie Dead

Long-running Irish folk metal act WAYLANDER has issued the following update:

"We are very pleased to announce that Hugh O'Neill has come through his trial period with flying colours and will be playing guitar with us on a permanent basis. He has impressed us greatly with his undoubted talent, not to mention his extensive knowledge of Irish folk music. May his stay be long and fruitful."

WAYLANDER is:

Ard Chieftain O'Hagan (vocals)
Michael Proctor (bass)
Dave Briggs (folk instruments)
Saul McMichael (guitar)
Hugh O'Neill (guitar)
Den Ferran (drums)

Spinefarm Records has announced a mid-June release date for the third solo album from SONATA ARCTICA guitarist Elias Viljanen. According to the label "there will be 12 tracks on the album and 10 of the tracks will be instrumental." Guest musicians on the CD include vocalists Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT) and Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA), keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg (SONATA ARCTICA), bassist Jari Kainulainen (EVERGREY, ex-STRATOVARIUS) and drummer Mikko Sirén (APOCALYPTICA).

Viljanen has been touted as Finland's answer to Joe Satriani, and his second solo album, "The Leadstar" (2005), featured "lightning speed, spark flying chops, flashy moves, and supreme melodies that rise from below and expand beyond the heavens," according to a press release. That CD also inclided Elias' hard rock, instrumental cover of LIONEL RICHIE's monster hit "Hello". Check out audio samples at CDUniverse.com

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

Norwegian melodic black metal band OLD MAN'S CHILD, which is led by guitarist/vocalist Galder (also in DIMMU BORGIR), will release its new album, "Slaves Of The World", 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.

Commented Galder: "So finally the new album, 'Slaves Of The World', is about to be released! It has been a long ride in preparing this but I am really proud of the results! It marks to be one of the OMC albums I put the most advance planning and dedication into! I can't wait for you all to hear the record!!!"

"Slaves Of The World" will also be available as luxurious cross-shaped five-panel CD digipack including a re-recorded version of the classic song "Born Of The Flickering" from the "Vermin" album sessions (previously only released in Japan) as an exclusive bonus track. The digipack version also features different artwork to the standard jewel case CD, also created by Gustavo Sazes (FIREWIND, GOD FORBID, KRISIUN).

"Slaves Of The World" track listing:

01. Slaves Of The World
02. Saviours Of Doom
03. The Crimson Meadows
04. Unholy Foreign Crusade
05. Path Of Destruction
06. The Spawn Of Lost Creation
07. On The Devil's Throne
08. Ferden Mot Fienden's Land
09. Servants Of Satan's Monastery

U.D.O., the German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, is currently in the studio recording the follow-up to 2007's "Mastercutor", tentatively titled "Dominator". An August 21 release via AFM Records is expected. 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)

CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist Janne Wirman will release the fourth album from his WARMEN project, "Japanese Hospitality", on August 24 via Spinefarm Records. The 10-song effort includes two cover versions — "Separate Ways", originally recorded by JOURNEY, and "Black Cat" by JANET JACKSON, featuring a guest appearance by the Finnish pop/rock queen Jonna Kosonen. In addition, Japanese fans will get WARMEN's rendition of ROXETTE's "Fading Like A Flower" as a bonus track. Other guest musicians that appear on the CD include Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), Pasi Rantanen (ex-THUNDERSTONE), Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS) and Marko Vaara.

Check out photos from the recording sessions at this location.

Interviewed in January, WARMEN guitarist and Janne's brother Antti Wirman revealed that the album would be heavier than the band's previous output, with more aggressive guitar riffs. There will be just two instrumental tracks, and every song has a different singer. According to Antti, the next WARMEN album will be the group's strongest effort to date because it has "the best songs, best vocalists and the best sounds."

WARMEN's third full-length album, "Accept the Fact", was released in July 2005 via Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Beyond Abilities" included guest appearances by CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Alexi Laiho and STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto.

Kosonen, who was previously a member of the multiplatinum-selling Finnish female pop duo NYLON BEAT, had contributed her vocals to CHILDREN OF BODOM's cover version of the BRITNEY SPEARS smash "Oops, I Did It Again" (which appeared on the "In Your Face" single), and was also one of the guest musicians on "Accept the Fact".

"Japanese Hospitality" will be preceded by a brand new compilation, rounding up the best of the keyboardist's solo work to date.

Swedish black metallers SHINING are streaming two new songs — "Vilseledda Barnasjälars Hemvist" and "Plågoande O'Helga Plågoande" — on their MySpace page. The tracks are taken from the band's sixth studio album, "VI / Klagopsalmer", tentatively due before the end of the year via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded at The Slaughterhouse studios with producer Rickard Bengtsson.

"VI / Klagopsalmer" track listing:

01. Vilseledda Barnasjälars Hemvist
02. Plågoande O'Helga Plågoande
03. Krossade Drömmar Och Brutna Löften
04. Fullständigt Jävla Död Inuti
05. Ohm - Skoj Att Leva
06. Total Utfrysning

SUNDOWN SINDROME, the new project featuring former TO/DIE/FOR frontman Jape Perätalo and members of the German band DAS SCHEIT, has posted a second song, "One Of Them", on the group's official MySpace page.

Jape recently said, "[SUNDOWN SINDROME] just recorded our first promo CD in Germany, and we are trying to find a great label for us soon as possible. One thing is sure... I am gonna hit the road very soon with new plans and with my new band.

"I am feeling so fresh and happy with SUNDOWN SINDROME. It feels so great to start from the clean table. Every member of this band are in a same boat! We already feel like brothers. No stress, just rocking!"

SUNDOWN SINDROME is:

J von Crow (Jape Perätalo) - Vocals
A. van Crane - Guitar
S. de la Corneille - Bass
M. di Corvo - Keyboards
U. del Cuervo - Drums

The world premiere of the fantasy collaboration between MANOWAR and Wolfgang Hohlbein has been announced. "The Asgard Saga" will begin at Magic Circle Festival III, scheduled to take place at the Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany on July 18, 2009. Headlining the festival, MANOWAR will perform material from the concept album currently in the works. It is based on Hohlbein's tales of one of the most iconic characters in Norse mythology, Thor, the God of Thunder. Hohlbein will debut the captivating fantasy adventure that is promised to be full of action, drama, romance, passion and conflict. It is a modern spin on the classic tale interpreted via the media of our time: the internet, interactive web communities, books, music, video games and beyond. The first phase of this concept is set to launch worldwide today at www.asgard-saga.com.

"During the creative process, the band and I soon realised the full potential of this enterprise," Wolfgang Hohlbein said. "It was almost like the characters took over and showed us the way!" He added, "Norse mythology is so rich with characters and stories that we decided to create a whole universe." MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio explained, "We felt an online platform would be the perfect tool to complement our works, offering unlimited space to tell further stories. That is where ideas really started to fly! We decided that the fans should become part of the creative team! So we developed an interactive website where they can contribute on many levels. At www.asgard-saga.com anyone can participate in every phase of the project from submitting anything from stories to songs. Fans and artists can create a fantasy adventure like none before!"

The world premiere of "The Asgard Saga" can only be witnessed at Magic Circle Festival III. A full line up of bands is also scheduled to perform. Multiple activities on the eve of the festival will offer fans the opportunity to learn more about "The Asgard Saga" — a project of vast dimensions!

Magic Circle Festival festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AGE OF EVIL
CRYSTAL VIPER
DIE SKLAVEN
DOMAIN
HEAT SEEKERS
HOLYHELL
JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR
KINGDOM COME
MANOWAR
METALFORCE
ULYTAU
VAN CANTO
WIZARD

French technical death metallers GOROD have inked a deal with Listenable Records. The band's new album, "Process Of A New Decline", will be released later this year. The follow-up to 2006's "Leading Vision" will mark the recording debut of GOROD's new drummer, Sam Santiago.

Commented the label in a press release: "With this new record, GOROD have cleverly spiced their diamond-cutting technicality with supercharged pinball machine melodies and fluttering sting ray guitar solos against a backdrop of grooves and bonkers bass playing, not to mention tighter, radioactive songwriting sure to burrow its way into permanent memory. Considering how slippery and complicated GOROD sounds on paper, it's immediately refreshing to be reminded that death metal can be catchy, brainy, and fun all at the same time."

Australian warmongers DESTROYER 666 will release their fourth album, "Defiance", in Europe on June 22 via France's Season Of Mist Records (July 14 in the U.S.).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Weapons Of Conquest
02. I Am Not Deceived
03. Blood For Blood
04. The Barricades Are breaking
05. A Stand Defiant
06. A Path To Conflict
07. A Thousand Plagues
08. Human All Too Human
09. A Sermon To The Dead

Check out the cover artwork here.

According to frontman KK, "the artwork for the new album was inspired by the idea of resolute defiance in the eye of the spiral downwards."