Belgian webzine Rock 'n Balls recently conducted an interview with bassist King ov Hell (real name: Tom Cato Visnes) of the Norwegian black metal band GORGOROTH. A few excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow below.

Rock 'n Balls: GORGOROTH is traditionally seen as the flag-bearer of "true" black metal, so I was kind of surprised to see you guys touring with CRADLE OF FILTH, which is a band that has often been described as a "commercial" black metal band. How do you feel about the association of both bands? How did this project come about?

King: We would never play one show with another band if we would take into consideration that we would be viewed through their music or philosophy. We represent GORGOROTH and no one else. We have our own agenda. CRADLE OF FILTH doesn't reflect any aspect of what we present. I have nothing more in common with CRADLE OF FILTH than with DARKTHRONE for that matter. That said. I personally get along with Dani Filth and the rest of the members of COF. I got to know their music better on this tour since I didn't know too much about it prior to this tour. They are more professional and hard-working than most of the bands we've toured with in the past.

Rock 'n Balls: How is the legal dispute with [estranged guitarist) Infernus about the band's name? I read both parties went to court very recently, isn't it? Has the court given its decision yet?

King: The verdict is not made yet, though I think it will be when you will publish this interview [note: to this day, no decision was publicly announced yet]. I think the arguments from both sides came through very clearly and without any drama. The judge seemed like an intelligent person and I'm very confident that his verdict will be based on reason. I understand the motives Infernus would have fighting for the rights, but this is also a band I've worked for 8 hours a day on all levels since 1999. I've done that basically alone. Gaahl has been in GORGOROTH since he was 22, and now he is soon 34. It's simply a conflict of interests. The band was made out of three very egocentric and non compromising individuals with a very strong will to power. Whatever happens to the name in the end I'm sure that neither Infernus nor us will face any difficulties making art on the level that we are on at the present.

Rock 'n Balls: Whatever the judicial decision is, will it finally be the end of the whole affair? Or does the losing party still have an opportunity of going in appeal?

King: I am not sure what will happen if we lose. We can appeal, but there is also a question of how much energy I want to use on this matter. It's not that important to me. I guess Infernus will appeal though.

Rock 'n Balls: I suppose Gaahl and yourself thought about the possibility of actually losing this case. If that should happen, do you have an idea of how you'd name the band? At one point, you two applied a trademark on the name "THE FORCE GORGOROTH": would that be an option?

King: We did think of using "THE FORCE GORGOROTH" until the verdict was made. This was to honor one of the wishes of Infernus. I don't know what name we'll use as a banner for our art if we lose. I guess everyone is totally aware that me and Gaahl will continue and bring with us what we have done in GORGOROTH, no matter what name we'll use in the future. We will play songs we have made in GORGOROTH, with the production and imagery we have created in GORGOROTH, on records and live in the future as well.

Rock 'n Balls: It was said that you applied for the trademark on the name "GORGOROTH" without Infernus knowing. Is that true? If so, was it because you were planning to fire Infernus from the band for quite some time?

King: We knew we would most likely not work with Infernus for a new record anymore already in 2006, when we made "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam". The final decision was made during the summer of 2007, I think. We discussed many ways of dealing with it, we even thought of releasing "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" under another name back in 2006. In the end we decided to continue under the name GORGOROTH, but without Infernus. The thought of leaving the band to him at that stage would've been the end of GORGOROTH, in my eyes. So it was not a hard decision to make. Making such a change in the lineup involves more people than the band members themselves. It involves management, record labels, booking agencies, endorsement companies etc. To secure our interests we got help from people in the industry with the know-how of situations like this. They applied for the trademark in my name. It's just random it wasn't Gaahl's name put on there. We both are on that paper now. Anyway...this is boring and unimportant. That registration doesn't mean anything now. It's all up to the judge to pass a verdict on the matter, and it will not be based on who was first to apply for the trademark. I seriously don't understand that anyone would have interest in all of this. I'm tired of it myself and it's actually concerning my life. That anyone else would find this interesting is to me totally absurd.

Rock 'n Balls: At first, Infernus stated the band had split up: was that the case at some point? Or was it just because he didn't know your intentions yet?

King: I don't know what he was thinking. We informed him we had decided to kick him out. We have never viewed it as a split up. We have continued without him for 18 months already. We feel we are on the right way to be able to present our art in a true way now. We have the right people working with us, and we are now in a position to reach out with our message in a more massive way than ever. All false Gods will be put to an end.

Rock 'n Balls: With all that has happened (and still may happen), did Gaahl or yourself ever regret your decision? Could there have been another way of settling this?

King: I don't regret anything, but I had no idea this would blow up to the proportions it has done. I thought it would be some riots for a few months. I was very wrong on that part. It's been going on for soon 18 months now. I'm glad it's soon over. I'm tired of all the talk and people having opinions on matters they have absolutely no clue about at all. Infernus, Gaahl and me are all agreeing on that this is a matter where we have different opinions and interests. The situation is not as dramatic as it appears to be in the magazines. It's all old news anyway, just recycled. I guess most people are bored to death hearing about this dispute. I am one for sure.

Rock 'n Balls: These last years, Gaahl has become a very important figure in black metal's landscape. How close are you two?

King: We used to be closer. We don't share so many interests. I have nevertheless spent more time with him than most people, so I guess we know each other rather well because of it. I live alone and he has his own room here that he can use when he is in Bergen, but we seldom end up at the same bars anymore. We have a mutual understanding for the art we are creating together. We are very different as persons, but I think that when we combine our different qualities, something unique happens. I have actually a much harder temper and I get angry at my surroundings faster than he does. He is much calmer.

Rock 'n Balls: Gaahl recently stated he was a homosexual, which is (I think) a first in the black metal scene! Did you know this for a long time? What's your opinion on this matter? I was quite amazed to see mainly positive reactions to this news, what do you think?

King: Gaahl is a strange character. He said he was asexual for years, and then he apparently changed his sexual preferences. I have no opinion on the matter at all, and I am more amazed of people actually having an opinion on this. I never was into soap series on TV either so that might explain my lack of interest. GORGOROTH is not about gay liberation. Whatever Gaahl is on a personal level coming to sexual preferences is reflected in GORGOROTH as much as me being heterosexual… not existing. I do however support individuals walking their own path without caring at all what the flock would think of the path chosen; the flock being represented by Christians or a homophobic black metal scene. They are a both insignificant factors which will be crushed if any harm intended.

Norway's TRISTANIA has issued the following update:

"As you all know, Rune [Østerhus, bass] has only played a few shows with TRISTANIA during the last years. Due to him not being able or motivated to tour, we've been using a session musician on bass for our tours in the last couple of years (Kjell Hagen, ex-TRAIL OF TEARS). In addition, Rune became a father last year. As a result of this, both Rune and the rest of the band agreed that it was time to find a new bass player. TRISTANIA would like to thank Rune for the great years we had in TRISTANIA together and we wish him all the best for the future. At the same time, we are delighted to announce the new bass player in TRISTANIA; Ole Vistnes. We first started to work with Ole about a year ago, and it worked out great in every way. Some of you have already seen Ole on stage with us last year. The rest of you will surely get the opportunity to do so during the upcoming tours in 2009.

"Ole is an amazing bassist, who has a degree in his instrument from the university in Kristiansand. He is a great guy that fits perfectly into the TRISTANIA family. In addition, he is a skilled composer and has been heavily involved in the songwriting for the upcoming album.

"Please give Ole a warm welcome!"

Ole added in a statement: "As some of you may already know, I have been touring with TRISTANIA for one year now. Permanent member from end of the last tour in South America, and involved in composing this fall. Let me express my gratitude towards first and foremost the guys in the band, for giving me such a warm welcome in the band. Never a single day did I feel like 'the new guy.' I approach the challenge of playing bass in TRISTANIA with humility and respect for the work of Rune, but I am also given the freedom to be Ole, and not having to be a constant copy. This combination of true respect for previous deeds and eagerness to move on, is the balance that keeps the classic work alive, but also empowers growth and evolvement. I will also use this opportunity to thank Anders and Einar for involving me heavily in the composing. They have truly boosted my self confidence and creative muscles with their great support and encouragement. And I would like to thank our fans. I have already met quite a few of you, and your enthusiasm and love for TRISTANIA's music is overwhelming."

Former SOUNDGARDEN/AUDIOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell is streaming his third solo album, "Scream", in its entirety on his MySpace page. The stream will be available for 48 hours starting at 12:00 p.m. EST today (March 3).

Due on March 10 via Interscope/Mosley Music, "Scream" "showcases a new, seductive sound — dark, multi-layered and full of puzzles and surprises," according to a press release. "The songs bring a new cinematic scope to Cornell's performances, with potent visual imagery echoing the non-stop musical assault from his internationally acclaimed live band." "Musically, this is the most ambitious thing I've been a part of. It's almost like a movie soundtrack," says Cornell.

"Scream" track listing:

01. Part Of Me
02. Time
03. Sweet Revenge
04. Get Up
05. Ground Zero
06. Never Far Away
07. Take Me Alive
08. Long Gone
09. Scream
10. Enemy
11. Other Side Of Town
12. Climbing Up The Walls
13. Watch Out

Chris is currently on tour in Europe and will kick off his multi-city U.S. tour on March 28 in Dallas, Texas.

Dutch melodic death metal band GOD DETHRONED will release its new album, "Passiondale", as a limited double digipack edition including a bonus CD. The double-digipack will feature stunning artwork and two discs: the regular album plus a live recording from 2005 featuring nine songs!

"Passiondale" track listing:

01. The Cross of Sacrifice
02. Under a Darkening Sky
03. No Man's Land
04. Poison Fog
05. Drowning in Mud
06. Passiondale
07. No Survivors
08. Behind Enemy Lines
09. Fallen Empires
10. Artifacts of the Great War

"Live in 2005" bonus CD track listing:

01. Nihilism
02. Boiling Blood
03. The Warcult
04. Soul Sweeper
05. The Art of Immolation
06. Villa Vampiria
07. The Last Zip of Spit
08. Sigma Enigma
09. The Serpent King

"Passiondale" will also be released on vinyl, limited to 666 copies.

The album will be issued on April 24 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and April 27 in the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records.

Check out the cover artwork here.

The CD was recorded at Soundlodge studios in Germany with producer Jörg Uken.

GOD DETHRONED frontman Henri Sattler explains the lyrical concept of "Passiondale": "It says Passendale on the street sign. The little village with its huge Tyne Cot cemetery and memorial centre. I passed it many times on the way to Isaac (Delahaye, our former guitar player) for another of our notorious drinking sessions in Ypres not far from the French border. I got really impressed by how this town breathes World War I. The numerous cemeteries, the Menin Gate with its daily last post ceremony since 1929 with the exception of just one day during a bombardment in World War II, the buildings that have been rebuilt in their original state and definitely all the English, Irish and Scottish people that visit Ypres every weekend, probably because one of their relatives died there during the war. During the night at the bars and pubs, they tended to get really drunk and sang louder than the barman could crank up the stereo set! It's during these times that I got inspired by the Great War and decided to write a concept album about it. Ypres and Passendale were the center of war activities during the war with around 900,000 casualties compared to nine million worldwide. I realized how harsh it must have been there during those four years. Passchendaele was the official name of the little village during the war, but since the English speaking armies couldn't pronounce that, they nicknamed it to: Passiondale"

GOD DETHRONED's last album, "The Toxic Touch", was released in the U.S. in November 2006 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Soundlodge Studios in Germany with producer Joerg Uken. Mastering was handled at Wisseloord Studios in Holland.

THE CLEANSING, the new Danish band featuring former members of USIPIAN, will release its debut album, "Poisoned Legacy", on May 4 via Deepsend Records. Check out the cover artwork here.

"Poisoned Legacy" was produced by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, ABORTED, DAWN OF DEMISE, VOLBEAT) and is described in a press release as "an album of highest quality destined to be a favorite of fans of MORBID ANGEL, IMMOLATION, DAWN OF DEMISE or VADER."

The projected track listing for the album is as follows:

01. Architechtural Infinity
02. Flesh Recycled
03. Ghost Lights
04. Insects in the Void
05. Harnessed by the Shadows
06. The Prodigal Son
07. Deliverance
08. The Domino of Phantom Effects
09. Derelict
10. Awoken at Gunpoint

Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.

THE CLEANSING is:

Toke Eld: Vocals
Jeppe Hasseriis: Guitar
Andreas Lynge: Guitar
Martin Rosendahl: Bass
Morten Løwe: Drums

Portuguese metallers DEMON DAGGER have posted a new song, "The Dagger Days", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the band's new album, "The Cain Complex", which was recorded, mixed and mastered at Kohlekeller Studios in Germany during August/September 2008. Production was handled by Christian "Kohl" Kohlmannslehner (CREMATORY, UNDER SEIGE, SIEGES EVEN, AGATHODAIMON).

Due in April, "The Cain Complex" features a guest appearance by singer Julien of the French death/black metal band BENIGHTED on the track "Force Fed On Mayhem", which is, according DEMON DAGGER guitarist Vítor Carvalho, "a supreme demonstration of sonorous energy."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Heal My Pain
02. Dust
03. The Long Walk
04. Force Fed On Mayhem
05. Mentally Cannibalized
06. Sodoma Eclipse
07. Dwell Deep Inside
08. The Dagger Days
09. Fire From The Sky
10. Self Neglecting

DEMON DAGGER is:

Litos (Vocals)
Vítor Carvalho (Guitars)
Paulo Chanoca (Bass)
Miguel Carvalho (Drums)

Finnish metal band NORTHER has parted ways with longtime singer/guitarist Petri Lindroos. The group says in a statement, "NORTHER was forced to let Petri go to be able to continue. Petri's full-time engagement in ENSIFERUM increasingly prevented NORTHER from functioning as an active band.

"Petri wishes NORTHER all the best for the future. Current NORTHER crew — Kristian, Jukka, Tuomas and Heikki — wants to thank Petri for all these great years together and wishes him the best of luck with ENSIFERUM."

NORTHER was founded in 2000 and has thus far released five full-length albums, two EPs, a DVD, four singles and the soundtrack to the Finnish film "V2". The band has done extensive touring with such acts as DIMMU BORGIR, HYPOCRISY, TURISAS and FINNTROLL.

NORTHER is currently signed to Century Media Records (Europe and USA) and Marquee Avalon (Japan).

NORTHER released its latest album, "N", in North America on September 30. The record marked the band's Century Media debut and featured two bonus tracks from the "No Way Back" EP, "No Way Back" and "C.U.S.", along with a video for the song "We Rock".

"N" entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 5 back in February 2008. The CD was recorded and produced by longtime partner Anssi Kippo (CHILDREN OF BODOM) at Astia Studios and mixed by Fredrik Nordström (DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES) at Studio Fredman in Sweden.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who angered many fans by waging a high-profile battle with Napster in 2000 over illegal music downloading, admitted in a recent interview that he has also used the Internet to obtain a full album's worth of music without paying for it. "I sat there myself and downloaded [METALLICA's latest CD] 'Death Magnetic' [illegally] from the Internet just to try it," he told Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's series "That Metal Show". "I was like, 'Wow, this is how it works.' I figured if there is anybody that has a right to download 'Death Magnetic' for free, it's me. I sat there one night at my house with about six of my friends and a bottle of wine. And what was it called?! [Trying to think of the name of the file-sharing client he used to download the album] We found it — this was like two or three days after ['Death Magnetic'] leaked. I was like, 'You know what? I've gotta try this.' So we sat there, and thirty minutes later, I had 'Death Magnetic' in my computer. It was kind of bizarre."

In a 2003 interview with Launch, Lars about the band's battle with Napster, "Most of the time, it's like a bad dream, like what the fuck was that? [Several] years later, it's like did that really happen? We went from being somewhat well-respected, well-liked, and then I woke up one day and all of a sudden I was the most hated man in rock 'n' roll. It was like, huh? Me? What did I do wrong? I'm one of the good guys. That was all kind of weird. If you look at our history, we've always been pretty protective of our own shit. When anybody got too close or fucked with our shit, we always took action. In retrospect, I'm proud of what we did, I really felt sideswiped on that one. In my own little ignorant world, I didn't see it coming. I was completely ignorant and unaware of the magnitude of this issue for people. I was just sitting there in my own little selfish world going, 'I'm going to protect METALLICA. Don't fuck with METALLICA.' Then (explosion sound), 'You're pro-record company, you're greedy!' I'm not pro-record company. We invented being anti-record company. We told our record company to go fuck themselves before anyone else. Stop. It was a very surreal thing, because it was so hard to connect what I read about myself and METALLICA, it was so abstract to what was on my radar about my own reality. People going, 'You're a really greedy little man.' It was like, what are you talking about? We've been giving shit away for years. We want to be the ones giving it away, not someone else. I'm proud of the stance we took. It was a very tough time. It was a much tougher time, because in the middle of that you have to put your best game face on. It was difficult. A lot of that shit hurt and it was very bewildering because it was difficult to connect it to your own reality. For better or worse, it got a good debate started. In retrospect, I'm not claiming any sort of victory — who gives a shit about that? — I think more people are starting to realize, not that we were right, but this is an issue that is changing the face of everything that is going on. Not only the music world, but the film world is next. What better way to deal with it than at least educate people about it. If nothing else, I look back at the six months in 2000 as the first step in the education."

Multinational metalheads POWERWOLF will release their new album, "Bible Of The Beast", on April 27 in Europe via Metal Blade Records. Mixed by legendary producer Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL, ARCH ENEMY) the opus is said to be POWERWOLF's heaviest album to date.

"Bible Of The Beast" track listing:

01. Raise Your Fist, Evangelist
02. Moscow After Dark
03. Panic In The Pentagram
04. Catholic In The Morning... Satanist At Night
05. Seven Deadly Saints
06. Werewolves Of Armenia
07. We Take The Church By Storm
08. Resurrection By Erection
09. Midnight Messiah
10. St. Satan's Day
11. Wolves Against The World

Check out the cover artwork here.

The limited first edition of the album be available as a digipack, including the bonus DVD‚ "The Wacken Worship - Live At Wacken".

The track listing for the bonus DVD is as follows:

01. We Take It From The Living
02. Prayer In The Dark
03. We Came To Take Your Souls
04. Saturday Satan
05. In Blood We Trust
06. Mother Mary Is A Bird Of Prey
07. Mister Sinister
08. Kiss Of The Cobra King
09. Lupus Dei

Austrian blackened death metal outfit BELPHEGOR entered Andy Classen's (LEGION OF THE DAMNED, DEW-SCENTED, NEAERA, ASPHYX) Stage One Studios in Kassel, Germany earlier this week to begin recording their new album. The follow-up to 2008's "Bondage Goat Zombie" will contain nine new compositions and is tentatively scheduled for release in early September via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented vocalist/guitarist Helmuth: "Just returned from the second studio session, completed all rhythm guitars and Serpenth laid down the bass lines. The nine sound collages started to show their grim face and I can say we're pretty damn pleased, totally blown away by the evil atmosphere. All sound more epic than ever, with lots of cold, haunting melodies, we also added a lot of new elements/structures to our sound."

The band adds: "The Masterplan: Hexenwahn - Totenkult. As opposed to previous tales of the inquisition, this focuses upon the darker, more dismal of the mighty, powerful witches who conjure and worship demons. Those who have a pact with the forces of hell through the occult. The concept deals with demonology, witchcraft/ Hexenwahn, depraved suKKubi, blackest erotica, and as always, the grand devil, himself."

Check out photos from the recording sessions at this location.

Catch Austria's most dangerous band on the "Hordes of Chaos" tour in North America with KREATOR, EXODUS, WARBRINGER and EPICUREAN beginning in early April.

"Bondage Goat Zombie" entered the Austrian album chart at position No. 42 upon its release in early 2008. The CD also landed on the German chart at No. 81.

AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen has announced the details of his new project, GUILT MACHINE.

As AYREON fans have come to expect from Arjen, the music of GUILT MACHINE ranges from dark and heavy to atmospheric and melancholic. But GUILT MACHINE introduces some new twists as well, particularly when it comes to the vocals. Rather than putting together an ensemble cast of vocalists from the prog, rock and metal scene, Arjen has enlisted the talents of a single alternative rock vocalist, Jasper Steverlinck.

How did Arjen get an alternative rock vocalist to switch genres and sing on a prog rock project? "In the beginning, it was hard to convince Jasper to sing on this album, because he comes from a completely different musical background," Arjen said. "He didn't even know what prog was, but we've made a believer out of him! What I admire about Jasper's voice, besides its beautiful clear timbre, is the emotion and credibility he puts into his performance and his enormous range. Because this project features just one singer I needed someone versatile enough to portray all of the different moods, and Jasper didn't disappoint. And he's a really nice and dedicated guy as well!"

For GUILT MACHINE, Arjen also chose to record with a different drummer, Chris Maitland (ex-PORCUPINE TREE). "Chris was the ideal choice this time, having both the power for the heavy sections and the subtle touch needed in the more atmospheric parts," Arjen said.

Rather than the explicit storyline you would expect in an AYREON release, the songs of GUILT MACHINE revolve around a central theme. Instead of looking outward into a world of fantasy or science fiction, the songs look inward, exploring the destructive psychology of guilt, regret and the darkest form of secret — the secrets we hide from ourselves.

"At first I asked my partner and personal manager Lori to quickly write scratch lyrics for one of the songs so I could record some guide vocals," Arjen said. "I was so impressed by what she produced that I asked her to write the lyrics for all the songs. I was unable myself to create the type of darkly enigmatic, open-ended lyrics I wanted for these songs, my specialty being sci-fi lyrics about sinister aliens. She definitely gave the songs an extra dimension with her lyrics, exorcising the demons we both had faced in the past few years. It's also no secret that I've always been a big fan of her melodic guitar style, so she also plays all the guitar solos on this album."

Despite these differences, GUILT MACHINE still has much in common with AYREON. The songs are mainly long, "epic" tracks that feature dynamic contrasts between softer, dreamy sections and powerful, heavy passages. There are intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, soaring melodies, and an eclectic selection of instruments — all what you'd expect from an AYREON release.

"In my view this is my best side project so far," Arjen said. "It comes completely from the heart, for it was written and recorded during a new inspiring phase in my life after my heavy depression. This being an entirely new project there were no expectations whatsoever, which enabled me to just let my inspiration guide me without any (outside) pressure."

GUILT MACHINE is:

Arjen Lucassen: instruments, backing vocals
Jasper Steverlinck (ARID): vocals
Chris Maitland (ex-PORCUPINE TREE): drums
Lori Linstruth (ex-STREAM OF PASSION): lead guitar

WINTERBORN, the self-proclaimed "coldest Finnish heavy metal band," will release its second album, "Farewell to Saints", in Europe (outside Finland) on April 24 via Massacre Records. The CD was issued in Japan on November 19, 2008 through Marquee/Avalon.

Commented the group: "It's really nice to finally get the album out for real. The release in Japan few months ago did release the pressure a bit, but this is what we were waiting for. Our fans in Europe finally have a date of release and they can go out and by the album they have so eagerly waited. There has been some frustration amongst the fans lately, but now it pays of. We want to thank all our fans for their patience with this one. I just hope they find the album was worth waiting for. In the meantime, we have two songs now on MySpace from the new album that people can listen to get a taste of what's coming. The two songs are from the heavier part of the new album. Unfortunately, things in Finland seem to go really slow for us. The negotiations with Finnish companies seem to take a lot of time, lot more than we expected. But we are determined to find a good partner here so we haven't rushed it. Hopefully we have some news about Finland's release pretty soon too."

WINTERBORN's debut album, "Cold Reality", was released in 2006 through Massacre Records.

WINTERBORN is:

Teemu Koskela: vocals
Pasi Vapola: guitar and backing vocals
Jukka Hänninen: keyboards and backing vocals
Pasi Kauppinen: bass and backing vocals
Lauri Bexar: drums
Antti Hokkala: guitar and backing vocals

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen recently answered a number of fan-submitted questions via her official blog. A couple of excerpts follow below.

Q: What do you usually think when you compose your songs?

Turunen: Every time I sit down in front of my piano, I like to improvise with the instrument. It depends on my mood of that day what kind of melodies and rhythms I am playing around. Sometimes, even before starting to play I already have a quite clear picture of a song I would like to compose, or at least the sound of it. Sometimes a song can be born in few minutes, if the feeling is right, some other times it can take days. I do always the music before the lyrics. The story or an idea for the lyrics appears during the composing process normally, but some other times I already have a strong idea of the story I would like to sing before any music comes to my mind. So as you can see, it really depends a lot of the circumstances. I just let myself flow free with the melodies and harmonies and then see if I can create something interesting. I am the most critical person in judging what sounds good or bad.

Q: What's going on with the "Enough" video clip?

Turunen: There was an unfortunate misfortune during the process of the video "Enough". The 3D animation designer had a bad car accident and he couldn't be easily replaced. He is still today recovering and not working full-time. Nobody is to blame, just fate. That caused a big delay for the original schedule. Just recently we gave up. The record company has no chances to use the video for promotion any longer, as it should have been accompanied by a song release. I do believe in signs, so why not to read this one? I am very sorry to let you know that there won't be a new video release of my song "Enough".

Q: How will your new album differ from "My Winter Storm"?

Turunen: At this moment, I can say that the process of composing the new album has been radically different than before. I have been growing as a songwriter, learning to express myself better. I got rid of the fear and shame to present my own ideas for people that have been in business a lot longer than me. Through the fact that I am involved in all the songs as a writer, the whole album becomes more personal to me. We will need to wait until everything is recorded and mixed to hear and see the biggest differences between my first and second album. I was happy with the songs in "My Winter Storm", but the outcome of the sound, mainly of guitars, didn't end up the way I had in mind. This time, I will be more radical: if a song feels to have distortion, then I will make it that way. On the other hand, if a song feels that should not include any, then it won't have it at all. It is not my intention to find compromises in the sound I have in my mind. I know what I want and how I like it. The key is to find the right people to help me achieve it. And as I had said not long ago, it will take the time that is need until I am happy with the songs and with the sound.

Q: Is there going to be a DVD of your tours?

Turunen: My record company doesn't have any concrete plans for a DVD yet. Myself, I would love to record and film every performance I make, as each concert is special and unique. In order to do a nice DVD, it really demands a lot of planning. Hopefully we can start those plans soon.

Christopher Porter of Washington Post Express recently conducted an interview with vocalist Dani "Filth" Davey of British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Washington Post Express: Have you always been interested in the dark side?

Filth: I grew up in an area — well, I still live in the area known as the Witch County — but I used to live in old village, and one of the old houses we used to live in was where Damien in "The Omen", which they put on every Thursday, and it just progressed from there on in. But I was a normal teenager: smoking, drinking, womanizing. But I managed to keep a healthy balance between being a naughty boy and getting my math work done.

Washington Post Express: Did you grow up in a religious household?

Filth: No, although my mother tired to get me confirmed, and went to a Church of England school, and got christened, etc. But religion wasn't a big thing; my parents were down to earth. My grandma is a very devout Christian, but she kind of has this blind spot when it comes to us. We can't do anything wrong, despite obvious flaws like the "Jesus Is A Cunt" shirt. I'm sure she heard of it; she's not stupid. She's all-seeing, my grandmother.

Washington Post Express: Are you religious in any way?

Filth: I take bits from all kinds of things. I've been out to India a lot of times, and I've seen a lot of things, and practiced a lot of things. I take tidbits from everything; a composite religion, really. Each to their own beliefs. I don't adhere to any one belief system. I collect antiquities, so my house is full of religious and demonic kinds of things, like masks, voodoo stuff, Egyptian artifacts, Hindu artists, statues of Kali, busts of Nefertiti, and people like that. A bit of everything.

Washington Post Express: Tell me about your forthcoming book.

Filth: "The Gospel of Filth" is more of a foray into the darkside. It's about horror movies, childhood nightmares, esoteric England, Satanism, witchcraft, femme fatales. And it's all corroborated and substantiated — verified almost, validated. There are contributions of hundreds of different people, like [horror film director] Dario Argento, Clive Barker, Doug Bradley, [horror actress] Ingrid Pitt, Christopher Lee, Ville Valo [HIM], Tom Araya [SLAYER], Marilyn Manson, Charlie Manson, [serial killer] Richard Ramirez. It uses CRADLE OF FILTH, with each of our albums as a springboard to discuss other topics. And it was co-written with an occult historian, so what it's come out as is a dark arts bible, which is why it's taken four years to reach completion.

Washington Post Express: Since you engage in the dark arts, do you ever worry about demonic possession?

Filth: I do and I don't. On one hand, a lot of people believe in protection, and other people believe in just absorbing everything and allowing life to take its course. I have a lot of things in my house that are quite questionable — like serial killer art, which was bought quite a long time ago. But my house is a very homey place, filled with antiquities and stuff like that. My wife doesn't work, so it's a nice house that she looks after, and people say they feel comfortable there despite some of the things I have.

Swedish black/death metal band GRIEF OF EMERALD has posted two new demo songs — "Holocaust" and "Zyklons Of Fire" — on the group's MySpace page. Both tracks are expected to appear on GRIEF OF EMERALD's forthcoming album — the group's first release since 2002's "Christian Termination" — which is tentatively due later in the year. Some of the material recorded during the recent sessions may also end up on a proposed split EP with Italian black metallers NEFARIUM.

Commented the band: "This is a selection how we sound nowadays — faster then 'Christian Termination', heavier than 'Malformeed Seed' and melodic like 'Nightspawn'.

"We are very satisfied with the songs so far, and we have six other songs that [are] really killer songs.

"We really want this album to be beyond great. We have worked on this material since 2002.

"The booklet, cover and most of the graphics are ready for printing.

"We are focusing on search for a suitable label for our upcoming album. Our second priority is searching for clubs festivals and live gigs."

According to Billboard.com, Atlanta-based progressive metal band MASTODON will perform its new album, "Crack the Skye", in its entirety on the group's upcoming tour.

The complete album performance is something new for the group, says bassist Bill Kelliher, but "there's something about ["Crack The Skye"] where it would be weird to leave a song out. We'll incorporate a whole stage show, which will hopefully make it even more exciting for kids to come see and more visually stimulating." The band is also hoping to make a short movie from all the songs, which Kelliher hopes will be MASTODON's version of "The Wall".

Boston, Massachusetts death metal/grindcore band THE RED CHORD has issued the following update:

"As you may have noticed, we have taken a break from touring to buckle down and get a record written. The writing of our new full length is well along its way. The current intention is to get into the studio sometime in April/May. We will have more extensive updates soon. In the meantime, we are briefly taking the show back on the road for a short run with WALLS OF JERICHO. TURMOIL will join up for three of the dates. Also, we are playing SUNY Purchase on April 17 alongside THE COOL KIDS, CHARLES HAMILTON THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH, THE DEAR HUNTER and a bunch of other bands we don't really make sense with. We are excited to play all of these and hope to see you there. Look for more updates soon."

New York-based extreme metal pioneers SUFFOCATION entered the studio on January 31 with Joe Cincotta (who worked on the band's last two releases) to begin recording its new album, "Blood Oath". The follow-up to 2006's self-titled record will be mixed by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH) and cover artwork will once again be brought to life by Jon Zig (DEEDS OF FLESH, DISGORGE, GORGASM). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Dismal Dream", "Undeserving", "Confines of Disillusion", "Blood Oath", "Come Hell Or High Priest" and "Provoking the Disturbed".

Commented the band: "We've just completed another shift at Full Force Studios (6pm - 2am, typical shift). As for a progress report — we've completed all the drum tracking and rhythm and bass guitars as of this past Sunday. What we'll have left to do starting today is record guitar solos and getting Frank (Mullen) in there to lay down the vocals. We're looking to wrap it up next week and start rehearsing a set for the upcoming Blood Apocalypse tour soon after that. All in all, we can honestly say this record is SLAMMIN' HEAVY and we got some nice little twists for ya' too. We look forward to crushing some stages for you all real fucking soon! Also, videographer Jon Bickford has been in the studio with us shooting the final segments ('Blood Oath' studio sessions and interviews) to be included in the forthcoming SUFFOCATION DVD!"

"Blood Oath" is tentatively scheduled for an early summer release in Europe and North America via Nuclear Blast Records.

On Monday, February 16, Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH entered Radio Gdansk studio in Poland to begin work on the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2007 album, "The Apostasy". Daniel Bergstrand from Sweden's Dugout Productions (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES, DARK FUNERAL) has joined the band in the studio to produce the drums on the record.

Commented Bergstrand: "The drums from beyond hell are miked up and ready to get whipped. I'm super happy with what we got so far...a lethal Polish bulldozer! I'm sure you guys will dig it! The drums are going to be tracked here in Radio Gdansk during next two weeks and after that I will start mixing them and get them ready for the final mix that will happen somewhere around May. We used 22 channels for the drums. It sounds very organic and natural and at the same time, VERY much in your face with a lot of attack. The room in this studio is amazing so the two ambience microphones that we've got are playing a big role in the over all sound. Prepared to get blown away by the final result!!!"

Check out footage from the studio below.

BEHEMOTH mainman Adam "Nergal" Darski previously stated about the new material, "I must confess that I'm way more excited about this record than I was for 'The Apostasy'. It's probably the whole label situation that we had to deal back then, Inferno's injury that caused crazy deadlines that completely drained the energy out of my system… I even started treating that album as unwanted child. Weird, because from time perspective, it's a great one. This time though everything was planned much in advanced. I found time to live my life, get some energy back, get inspired and so on… When we met in October it was obvious that all of us were really hungry for making new music. It's definitely 100% BEHEMOTH. I would risk saying that we do have our own style but it's still improving, evolving in different directions every time we approach new project. Most of the songs are the really fast, technical and intense, at the same time there's a lot of diversity. There's even a very slow, massive song that's probably the most epic tracks in BEHEMOTH's history. Everything sounds more serious and…dangerous (I love that word, ha ha). There's probably more sinister vibe in our music this time too."

BEHEMOTH will interrupt studio work to play one exclusive show in Belgium at Maximum HXC Metalfest on March 7.

"Ezkaton", the latest EP from BEHEMOTH, sold around 1,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 26 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.

"Ezkaton" features seven tracks, one brand new song titled "Qadosh", a live recording as well as a new studio version of "Chant For Ezkaton 2000 e.v.". Also included are live versions of "From The Pagan Vastlands" and "Decade Ov Therion" plus covers of THE RAMONES' "I'm Not Jesus" and the MASTERS HAMMER track "Jama Pekel". The EP was made available as a limited-edition box set that includes four picture-disc seven inches, a BEHEMOTH pendant and the CD all packaged in a deluxe box.

Legendary Swedish guitarist YNGWIE MALMSTEEN will release an all-instrumental acoustic album, "Angels Of Love", which will contain rearrangements of his ballad songs played on acoustic guitar and string and choir arrangements only. It is a masterpiece showing the tender, delicate version of his classic songs as well as a new composition. A March 10 Noth American release via Rising Force Records is expected.

According to a press release, "'Angels Of Love' is the instrumental version of the best Yngwie Malmsteen love songs played on acoustic guitar and keyboards only. It is a master piece showing the tender, delicate version of his classic songs which will appeal to all adult consumers who are into romantic/new age and instrumental songs as well as Yngwie Malmsteen fans and rock music fans alike."

"Angels Of Love" track listing:

01. Like An Angel
02. Save Our Love
03. Prelude To April
04. Sorrow
05. Memories
06. Miracle Of Life
07. Forever One

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN will release two DVDs via Rising Force Records on March 24 — "Live Animal" and "Live In Budokan".

BIBLEBLACK, the new Swedish band featuring members of KING DIAMOND and MEMORY GARDEN, has spent the last couple of months putting the finishing touches on its debut album, "The Black Swan Epilogue", for a May 4 release via Vic Records. The LP will be made available in two different versions — a jewel-case double-disc containing a bonus DVD and digipack featuring additional artwork.

BIBLEBLACK's video for the song "Bleed" can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Owe Lingvall of Village Road Film.

BIBLEBLACK is:

Kacper Rozanski - The Voice
Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) - Lead Guitar
Simon Johansson (MEMORY GARDEN, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA) - Rhythm Guitar
Jonaz Bülund - Electric Bass Guitar
Tobhias Ljung - Drums

NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Towards the beginning of my career in NINE INCH NAILS, our biggest break came in the form of an invitation to perform a series of shows with JANE'S ADDICTION. These performances essentially created and defined the term 'alternative' rock in the U.S., created an ongoing festival franchise that is still thriving (Lollapalooza), set the stage for NIRVANA to shift popular taste a few months later, and were really fucking FUN to play and attend — truly the best times I've had. The shows were epic. So epic, they propelled NIN to the 'next level' (whatever that means), but caused JANE'S to implode. The band broke up at the end of that tour.

"Fast forward to the present. Corporate rock STILL sucks. A friend tells me they saw the original JANE'S lineup play a tiny show in L.A. that was unbelievable. I break out my JANE'S records and am amazed by how vital they sound. These guys were the real deal and in this current climate mostly dominated by poseurs and pussies, it was refreshing to hear something that sounded dangerous, volatile, beautiful and SINCERE.

"E-mails were sent, phone calls were made, dinner was arranged, ideas were discussed and the next thing I know we're in the studio experimenting. We laugh, we get to know each other, we cry, we yell, we almost quit, we record LOTS of guitar solos, we discuss, we actually begin to all communicate, we yell some more, we become FRIENDS, we laugh again and we do some great things. I get to see first-hand why they broke up all those years ago but I also get the chance to see four distinct personalities that become an INCREDIBLE band when they're in the same room.

"In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while. Last year's 'Lights in the Sky' tour was something I'm quite proud of and seems like the culmination of what I could pull off in terms of an elaborate production. It was also quite difficult to pull off technically and physically night after night and left us all a bit dazed. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year. The approach to these shows is quite different from last year — much more raw, spontaneous and less scripted. Fun for us and a different way for you to see us and wave goodbye. I reached out to JANE'S to see if they'd want to join us across the U.S. and we all felt it could be a great thing. Will it work? Will it resonate in the marketplace? Who knows. Is there big record label marketing dollars to convince you to attend? Nope. Does it feel right to us and does it seem like it will be fun for us and you? Yes it does.

"Look for tour dates soon and I hope to see you out there."

Dutch brutal death metal band SUPREME PAIN has finished recording and mixing its second full-length album, "Nemesis Enforcer", at Soundlodge Studio in Germany with producer Jorg Uken (SINISTER, DEW-SCENTED, OBSCENITY, GOD DETHRONED) to begin recording its second full-length album, "Nemesis Enforcer". A tentative late spring/early summer release via Metal Age Productions from Slovakia is expected.

Video footage from the recording studio, including audio samples of some of the new songs, can be viewed below.

"Nemesis Enforcer" (обложка) track listging:

01. Vengeful Wrath
02. Legacy Of Chaos
03. The Unholy Throne
04. Treshold Of Immortality
05. To Serve In Slavery
06. Lobotomy Of The Soul
07. Goddess Of Divine Retribution
08. Nemesis Enforcer

The cover artwork was created by Mottla Art from Austria and can be viewed below.

SUPREME PAIN will perform at this year's edition of the Obscene Extreme festival on Saturday, July 18 in Svojšice (near Pardubice), Czech Republic.

SUPREME PAIN last year announced the addition of bassist Tadej Cholewa (SCAFFOLD) and drummer Toep Duin (PUTREFIED, BLASTCORPS) to the group's ranks.

SUPREME PAIN's current lineup is:

Aad Kloosterwaard - Vocals
Erwin Harreman - Guitars
Bas Brussaard - Guitars
Tadej Cholewa - Bass
Toep Duin - Drums

SUPREME PAIN's debut album, "Cadaver Pleasures", was released in April 2008 via the U.S. label Comatose Music. The drums for the CD were recorded at the Negligence Sound Studio in Slovenia, guitars and vocals at the Garden Shed Of Horror in The Netherlands. Mixing took place at Excess Studio in The Netherlands by Chris van der Valk and the album was mastered by Bob Moore at the Sound Lab Studios in the U.S.

Australia's THE BERZERKER has tapped Tim Aldridge (ex-ABRAMELIN) as its new guitarist. A photo of the group's new lineup can be viewed below.

THE BERZERKER's fifth album, "The Reawakening", was released last year through the group's self-run record label, Berzerker Industries.

"The Reawakening" track listing:

01. Spare Parts
02. Internal Examination
03. Caught In The Crossfire
04. Harvesting A Loved One
05. The Deception
06. Your Final Seconds
07. The Evolution Of Aggression
08. Unforgotten Force
09. Disassembly Line
10. Wisdom And Corruption

"Eight Legged Omen", the new video from the hard-hitting Danish four-piece THE BURNING, can be viewed below. The clip was produced by Division 666 (HATESPHERE, DAWN OF DEMISE, HORNED ALMIGHTY) and features an appearance by Denmark's biggest tarantula spider!

"Eight Legged Omen" comes off THE BURNING's sophomore album, "Rewakening", which was released on February 27 through Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Storm the Walls" was recorded and mixed at KohleKeller Studios with German producer Kristian Kohle Bonifer (BENIGHTED, CREMATORY, ABANDONED, AGATHODAIMON). The vocals was recorded by Jacob Bredahl (ex-HATESPHERE) at Smart N' Hard.

The cover artwork for "Rewakening" can be viewed below. The image was created by Brazilian artist Mariano Villalba and is a combination of two pictures — "The Fury Of Rufus" and "Slave Angel".

"Rewakening" features a guest appearance by Bo Summer (ILLDISPOSED).

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. It Came From The North
02. Cloven Hoof
03. Carnivora
04. Eight Legged Omen
05. Repentance (Burned On The Stake)
06. Father They Call Me The Heretic
07. He Who Whispers In The Back Of Us All
08. Evangelical Cannibal
09. Unspeakable
10. Live The Goat (feat. Bo Summer)
11. Rewakening
12. My Apostacy

Resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metal outfit PESTILENCE has uploaded a new song, "Devouring Frenzy", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Resurrection Macabre", which is scheduled for release on March 13 in Europe (April 14 in the U.S.) via Holland's Mascot Records. The band recorded a total of 14 songs during the session at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark — 11 new tracks and three classic PESTILENCE cuts (as chosen by the fans) to be included on the limited-edition first pressing: "Out Of The Body", "Chemo Therapy" and "Lost Souls". Joining guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli in PESTILENCE's current recording lineup are Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, NON-HUMAN LEVEL) on drums. Patrick has previously described the band's new material as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal.

"Resurrection Macabre" track listing:

01. Devouring Frenzy
02. Horror Detox
03. Fiend
04. Hate Suicide
05. Synthetic Grotesque
06. Neuro Dissonance
07. Dehydrated II
08. Resurrection Macabre
09. Hangman
10. Y2H
11. In Sickness & Death
12. Chemo Therapy *
13. Out of the Body *
14. Lost Souls *

* Limited-edition bonus tracks

PESTILENCE 2009 touring lineup (pictured below):

Patrick Mameli – Guitar, Vocals
Patrick Uterwijk - Guitar
Tony Choy - Bass
Peter Wildoer - Drums

Two more "Guitar Hero: Metallica" gameplay trailers, featuring MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister and King Diamond (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND), can be viewed below.

Lemmy and King Diamond both appear as a playable characters in the "Guitar Hero: Metallica" game, due in stores this spring.

Gamers will have the option to either watch Lemmy's in-game likeness as he hammers away at his bass and sings in his signature, whiskey-drenched vocals, or they can step into his cowboy boots and learn to play MOTÖRHEAD's 2008 re-recorded version of the band's biggest hit, the anthemic "Ace of Spades".

"It's great to be in 'Guitar Hero' with all these famous people and I'm really pleased to be in it with METALLICA," Lemmy said, "but [frontman] James [Hetfield] is still taller than me."

Fans, stagehands and groupies alike will have the opportunity to shred and drum with or wail as the digital King Diamond during performances of "Evil". The song, which originally was recorded in 1983 and is one of the MERCYFUL FATE songs that comprise METALLICA's "Mercyful Fate" medley, was re-recorded by four of the five original band members for Guitar Hero: Metallica. The recording session was overseen by guitarist Hank Shermann in the band's native Denmark; after which King Diamond laid down his vocals in Dallas, Texas, and mixed the song with J.T. Longoria.

Commented King: "It's been absolutely amazing to be a part of this Guitar Hero experience. It was quite a trip to re-record the [MERCYFUL FATE] song 'Evil' almost 25 years after the original recording took place. The end result with four out of the five original musicians turned out so much better than I would ever have hoped for. Seeing my animated character take form was totally eerie in a very good way. It's so strange to see yourself animated in such perfect detail — cross bone microphone, Eye necklace and all. This game looks and sounds METAL all the way. HORNS UP!!!"