"Hordanes Land", the legendary 1991 debut from Norwegian masters of progressive/experimental metal ENSLAVED, was re-released by Candelight Records on February 17. It was originall issued in 1993 as half of the EMPEROR / ENSLAVED split which has since gone on to become a historically important extreme/black metal release that helped define a whole genre.

The re-release features the original artwork and photos, in addition to private pictures from ENSLAVED's early career and in-depth liner notes by founding members Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, providing a unique insight into the formative days of the band.

For the third time in five years, ENSLAVED was honored in the "Metal" category at the Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards). The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held on January 24 at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.

Multinational metalheads POWERWOLF have completed work on their new album, "Bible Of The Beast", for an April 27 European release 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

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

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 photos from the studio below, еще и еще.

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.

Timo Tolkki (REVOLUTION RENAISANCE, STRATOVARIUS) has announced that he will record another album with former STRATOVARIUS members Tuomo Lassila (drums) and Anti Ikonen (keyboards). Tentatively titled "Return To Dremspace", the CD is slated for a September 2009 release. The fans will decide the name of the project in some sort of contest. Tolkki says, "If the fans decide that it should be called STRATOVARIUS, then it will. Then I will face the consequences, but that will be one interesting trial, I tell you that."

Regarding the musical direction of the CD, Tolkki 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.

Finnish doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN have issued the following update:

"We want to thank all of the new and old fans for making last year another successful chapter for us, thank you all!!

"We released the 'Plague of Butterflies' mini album and reached our first No. 1 position on Finnish single charts with it. We toured England for the first time supporting APOCALYPTICA on their U.K. tour and played big festivals in England and Czech Republic. We also signed new merchandise, booking agency and management deals worldwide, so it didn't turn out to be as quiet resting year as we planned it to be!

"And about 2009... NEW ALBUM!!

"Yes, we are currently touring a massive North American tour [with SOILWORK and DARKANE], and after coming back to Finland we will do some selected festivals before entering the studio next summer. So, all you who survived the hands of the plague last year will be harvested by the new gloom of SWALLOW THE SUN next fall 2009.

"More news about the new album fill follow during this spring and summer.

"If you are coming to see us on U.S. tour, make sure to be there in time. We are the first band on the bill, and you might want to check the venue for playing times."

Former SCAR SYMMETRY vocalist Christian Älvestam has posted a new song entitled "Bränd Mark" ("Burnt Ground" in English) from his THE FEW AGAINST MANY project (in which he plays rhythm guitar and sings). The track, which is expected to appear on the band's debut album, "Sot" ("Soot" in English), was recorded at Panic Room studios with producer Tomas "Plec" Johansson and features lyrical contributions from Mikael Stanne (DARK TRANQUILITY) and Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA, BLOODBATH). The cover artwork will be created by acclaimed artist Dan Seagrave (MORBID ANGEL, ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, SUFFOCATION). A late spring release via Pulverised Records is expected.

THE FEW AGAINST MANY is:

Christian Älvestam - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Patrik Gardberg - Lead Guitar
Anders Edlund - Bass
Pär Johansson - Backing Vocals
Jani Stefanovic - Drums

Christian Älvestam announced his departure from SCAR SYMMETRY in September 2008, explaining in a statement, "We've decided to part ways . . mainly [because] of different outlooks on musical production and touring. Of course it's sad to see that SCAR SYMMETRY will not continue in its present form, but unfortunately these things happen. I hope SCAR SYMMETRY will go on being successful, while I myself will for sure keep on singing, playing, writing and performing my own music, in various shapes and forms, for a very long time. My musical journey has just begun!"

UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore will release his new solo album, "To The Core", in North America on May 19 (one day earlier interntionally) via Holland's Mascot Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Fly (4:51)
02. Panic Attack (6:19)
03. Off The Hook (5:15)
04. Transcendence (3:53)
05. Soul Caravan (5:55)
06. Jigsaw (3:41)
07. Remorse (7:02)
08. Tailspin (5:33)
09. Over My Head (3:57)
10. Into the Open Highway (6:47)
11. Into the Sunset (5:41)

"To The Core" recording lineup:

Vinnie Moore - Guitar
Van Romaine - Drums
John "J.D." DeServio - Bass
Tim Lehner - Keyboards

Norwegian black metallers RAGNAROK will enter Endarker Studios in Norrköping, Sweden on March 1 to begin recording their long-awaited new album for a fall 2009 release.

The band's current lineup is as follows:

Jontho - Drums
Brigge - Guitars
Decepticon - Bass
HansFyrste - Vocals

Ozzy Osbourne is featured in a limited-edition statue during his solo career from the early '80s. The Ozzy Osbourne Rock Iconz limited-edition figure is cast in a poly-resin and each figure is hand-painted in fine detail. Each sculpture in the Rock Iconz series is hand-numbered and displayed on a wooden base. This figure is fully licensed and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

In 1982 and '83, Ozzy Osbourne was completing his transition from BLACK SABBATH to the solo "Metal Madman" we know today. Ozzy was back on top and touring in support of his then-current album, "Diary Of A Madman". The live concert visuals of this show are now legendary with stage left and right flanked by huge medieval arches and Ozzy center stage in his crimson "chain-mail" suit.

The Ozzy "Diary Of A Madman" Rock Iconz limited-edition statue is estimated to ship summer 2009.

Pre-orders, at a cost of $115 each, are currently being accepted at this location. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Swedish black/death metallers THE LEGION, who feature in their ranks former MARDUK drummer Emil Dragutinovic, have issued the following update:

"We are proud to announce the release of our third album, 'A Bliss to Suffer', through Listenable Records on April 27. Entirely produced by us band members ourselves at Art Decay Studio during a series of sessions in 2007 and 2008, this onslaught displays the relentless speed and severe brutality of previous efforts blended together with strangely atmospheric and epic elements, taking our lethal concoctions to new heights. We wouldn't brag without a good reason — this thing will kill you.

"In other news, vocalist [Lars] Martinsson is back as a permanent member after commitments elsewhere, and celebrates the return with a never-ending row of ghastly shrieks all through the album.

"Last but not least, there is now an official THE LEGION MySpace site up and running. This is the only MySpace channel with 100% valid and verified information straight from the band. Excerpts from 'A Bliss to Suffer' will be available for streaming listening as soon as possible."

Former SEPULTURA and current CAVALERA CONSPIRACY drummer Igor "Iggor" Cavalera "officially" married his second wife Laima Leyton on February 12, 2009. Photos from the wedding can be viewed below.

Igor and Laima have a successful DJ/hip hop/electro project called MIXHELL which regularly tours around the world.

Igor Cavalera left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." He has since been replaced by Jean Dolabella (ex-UDORA). Igor's departure from SEPULTURA came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from the group's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January 2006). Filling in on drums during the band's spring 2006 European tour with IN FLAMES was Roy Mayorga, who played with Igor's brother Max in SOULFLY for several years in the late '90s and again in 2001-2003.

Igor is the second Cavalera to leave SEPULTURA. In 1996, Max Cavalera exited the group after the rest of the band fired Max's wife Gloria as SEPULTURA's manager.

Igor and Max Cavalera are currently collaborating on a new project called CAVALERA CONSPIRACY. The group's debut album, "Inflikted", was released in March 2008 via Roadrunner Records.

Swedish epic/melodic metallers NARNIA — who last year parted ways with singer Christian Liljegren and replaced him with Germán Pascual (MIND'S EYE, MENDEZ; pictured below) — have issued the following update:

"We are happy to announce that our new album, which has the working title 'Course Of A Generation', will be released in Europe by Massacre Records on July 24. Details about other territories will follow later on.

"We're very excited about this record which is our sixth studio album. We promise that it will by far be the most intense record we have ever made. Count on very melodic up tempo compositions driven my the most aggressive foundation in our history.

"All drums, rhythm guitars, keyboards and some vocals have been recorded and the bass is being tracked as we speak!

"We suggest that you contact your local concert promoters and request NARNIA for a show in the summer/fall/winter of 2009."

The new CD will be mixed in May by Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, HELLFUELED, ARCH ENEMY, AT THE GATES) at Studio Fredman.

After 5 years of unpatient waiting, Helium Vola finally return with their third, all new album on CHROM, the legendary German label run by Carl Erling from 1988 until last year. Ernst Horn (leader of Helium Vola, Deine Lakaien and ex-Qntal & Estampie) took over the label and CHROM is becoming an artist run-label owned by Horn.

The German title 'Fur Euch, Die Ihr Liebt'' means ‘For you, who love’ and this 2CD package is by no means one of those inflated double-albums, filled with often senseless remixes and bonus-tracks. ‘Für Euch…’ is consisting of two complete, separate conceptual twin sister albums instead. Album One is full of sad and hymnic lovesongs, while the second album deals with general ‘social’ themes, such as greed, war and the eternal longing and search for paradise on Earth. In its broad diversity, the new production exceeds the two previous albums by far. Gentle, fragile medieval chants full of harmony and romanticism have as much been included as more aggressive, almost ‘Industrial/EBM’-like, danceable Electronic tracks (as known from the first Helium Vola single ‘Omnis Mundi Creatura’) and experimental vocal pieces. The vocals on ‘Für Euch…’ have been recorded by five leading solo vocalists under the guiding leadership of the enigmatic Sabine Lutzenberger (known from the first two Helium Vola albums) who is lending her uncomparable, beautiful lead vocals to both CDs. Again also a number of musicians have been involved, that contributed with medieval instruments such as lyre, harp, schalmei, lute or dulcian. The double-CD in special deluxe varnish print digipak contains a luxury 24-pages booklet in 4 colours throughout, containing all lyrics in their original language as well as German and English translations. Released on Chrom and available March 29th, 2009.
01 A voi che amate
02 Saber d'amor
03 Oh pescador
04 Blow, Northerne Wynd
05 Mes longs cheveux
06 L'alba
07 In so hoher swebender Wunne
08 Friendly Fire
09 Hor che'l ciel
10 Escoutatz
11 Maienzeit
12 Ecce gratum

CD2:
01 Preghiera
02 Nummus
03 Mayab
04 Mord
05 Canta me
06 Manifesto
07 Quan lo pet
08 Ray gun
09 Come talore
10 Darkness, Darkness
11 Moorsoldaten
12 Nuestras vidas

www.helium-vola.de

Check the videoclip for the Diary of Deams song ''The Wedding'' taken from their upcoming album (if) above.


The all new album by Diary of Dreams bears the simple but expressive title “(if)” – subtitled ‘the memento Ritual project’. In contrast to previous works, “(if)” is no conceptual album, as the band recently announced – each of the 12 songs on this ninth studio album is telling its very own story. Expect otherworldly sounds of extraordinary intensity on this eagerly awaited all new album by one of the most successful German Dark Electro-Pop acts!

With (if), Diary of Dreams open a new chapter of their ‘Dream Diary’ and take the listener to a world full of tender melodies. The compositions on (If) seem to be even deeper and more personal than ever, the charismatic voice of frontman Adrian Hates appears even more varied and the sound of this new opus reaches new levels of versatility. The stylistic spectrum embraces all sound colours for which Diary of Dreams are acclaimed and respected for, but at the same time (If) succeeds to surprise with loads of New and Fresh influences and sonorities! Released on Accession and available March 13th, 2009.

01 the Wedding
02 Requiem 4.21
03 Odyssey Asylum
04 Poison Breed
05 Wahn!Sinn?
06 the Colors of Grey
07 Choir Hotel
08 the Chain
09 King of Nowhere
10 21 Grams of Nothing
11 Mind over Matter
12 Kingdom of Greed

The limited edition includes the bonus CD “g(if)t” containing 4 more new songs. The lyrics enhancing the music have been combined with unforgettable photographs to make up a luxurious 48 pages booklet. An additional eye candy is provided by a big poster and a 6 panel digipak – all encased in a beautiful box. A rarity and a feast for ear and eye!!!

Tracks Bonus CD G(if)t, contained in the limited first edition only:
01 Momentum
02 Regicide
03 the Saint
04 Never tell the Widow

NILE mainman Karl Sanders has helped mix a new version of the song "Beyond The Horizon" that will be featured on the next full-length album from the Egyptian-themed Brazilian doom metal band AMARNA SKY. Making a guest appearance on vocals on this new version of the track is Aziza A. Poggi, the frontwoman of the American progressive metal band DENDURA.

"Beyond The Horizon" features Karl Sanders on lead guitar. Sanders is tentatively due to appear on another track on the second AMARNA SKY album, which is expected to be released later in the year. The follow-up to AMARNA SKY debut, "Rising Heresy", has working title of "Civilized Rapture", although a number of other possibilities are beng considered, including "Wine For Sekhmet".

The new version of "Beyond The Horizon" is available for streaming in full at www.myspace.com/amarnasky.

On April 6, Universal Music in the U.K. will release the deluxe expanded edition of BLACK SABBATH's classic "Paranoid album.

"Paranoid" is the first release in a set of BLACK SABBATH deluxe expanded editions. Each remastered album includes an additional disc of previously unheard outtakes, demos and instrumental tracks taken from the original studio sessions.

"Paranoid" is expanded to a triple-disc containing the extremely rare 1974 Quadraphonic mix of the album. The album also includes deluxe digipak gatefold packaging with expanded booklets containing rare and previously unseen photographs, comprehensive sleeve-notes telling the story behind each album and include images of rare single covers and memorabilia from the period.

"Paranoid" is the second album by the British heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH. It was released in the United Kingdom during September 1970, and contains some of their most famous work, including the songs "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track. The album is regarded as a classic of the heavy metal genre and one of the most influental heavy metal albums. It has been certified four-times-platinum, having sold over four million copies in the U.S. alone, making it BLACK SABBATH's best-selling album.

The "Paranoid" single, released before the album, reached No. 4 in the U.K. Pushed by its success, the album hit number one in the U.K., and is the only BLACK SABBATH album to have done so. The U.S. release was held until January 1971, as the "Black Sabbath" album was still on the charts at the time of "Paranoid"'s U.K. release. The album broke into the top ten in the U.S. in March 1971, and would go on to sell four million copies in the U.S. alone, with virtually no radio airplay.

"Paranoid" deluxe expanded edition track listing:

Disc 1 (Original Album):

01. War Pigs
02. Paranoid
03. Planet Caravan
04. Iron Man
05. Electric Funeral
06. Hand Of Doom
07. Rat Salad
08. Fairies Wear Boots

Disc 2 (1974 Quadrophonic Mix):

01. War Pigs
02. Paranoid
03. Planet Caravan
04. Iron Man
05. Electric Funeral
06. Hand Of Doom
07. Rat Salad
08. Fairies Wear Boots

Disc 3 (Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks):

Tracks 1-8 recorded at Regent Sound Studios, June 16-17, 1970:

01. War Pigs (instrumental)
02. Paranoid (alternative lyrical version)
03. Planet Caravan (alternative lyrical version)
04. Iron Man (instrumental)
05. Electric Funeral (instrumental)
06. Hand Of Doom (instrumental)
07. Rat Salad (instrumental)
08. Fairies Wear Boots (instrumental)

According to a posting by one of the moderators on BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist/vocalist Zakk Wylde's official forum, BLS's new "greatest-hits" collection, "Skullage", which is due on April 21, will be released in three different configurations: CD, DVD and CD/DVD.

The track listings are as follows:

"Skullage" standalone CD

01. Machine Gun Man
02. Dead As Yesterday
03. All For You
04. 13 Years of Grief
05. Bleed for Me
06. Doomsday Jesus
07. Stillborn
08. Won't Find It Here
09. Suicide Messiah
10. In This River
11. Fire It Up
12. New Religion
13. Instrumental Intro (acoustic)
14. The Blessed Hellride (acoustic)
15. Spoke in the Wheel (acoustic)
16. Stillborn (acoustic)

"Skullage" standalone DVD

* All For You (from "Boozed Broozed & Broken-Boned")
* 13 Years of Grief (from "Boozed Broozed & Broken-Boned")
* Bleed For Me (from "Boozed Broozed & Broken-Boned")
* Stillborn (Video)
* Suicide Messiah (Video)
* In This River (Video)
* Fire It Up (Video)
* Acoustic (Live)
* Instrumental Intro (Live in Lehigh Valley) (4:59)
* The Blessed Hellride (Live in Lehigh Valley) (5:47)
* Spoke In The Wheel (Live in Lehigh Valley) (5:32)
* We Live No More (Live in Lehigh Valley) (10:29)
* Stillborn (Live in Lehigh Valley) (6:12)
* New Religion (New Footage) (4:04)
* Welcome to The Compound (New Footage) (29:50)

"Skullage" DVD/CD

CD

01. Machine Gun Man
02. Dead As Yesterday
03. All For You
04. 13 Years of Grief
05. Bleed for Me
06. Doomsday Jesus
07. Stillborn
08. Won't Find It Here
09. Suicide Messiah
10. In This River
11. Fire It Up
12. New Religion
13. Instrumental Intro (acoustic)
14. The Blessed Hellride (acoustic)
15. Spoke in the Wheel (acoustic)
16. Stillborn (acoustic)

DVD

* All For You (from "Boozed Broozed & Broken-Boned")
* 13 Years of Grief (from "Boozed Broozed & Broken-Boned")
* Bleed For Me (from "Boozed Broozed & Broken-Boned")
* Stillborn (Video)
* Suicide Messiah (Video)
* In This River (Video)
* Fire It Up (Video)
* Acoustic (Live)
* Instrumental Intro (Live in Lehigh Valley) (4:59)
* The Blessed Hellride (Live in Lehigh Valley) (5:47)
* Spoke In The Wheel (Live in Lehigh Valley) (5:32)
* We Live No More (Live in Lehigh Valley) (10:29)
* Stillborn (Live in Lehigh Valley) (6:12)
* New Religion (New Footage) (4:04)
* Welcome to The Compound (New Footage) (29:50)

Former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley has set "The Night That Will Not Die" as the title of his new live DVD, due next month via Blaze Bayley Recordings. This DVD was filmed on December 13, 2008 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland and features two hours of live perfomance material, directed by Kris McManus, including songs from the new album, "The Man Who Would Not Die". A two-disc set, the set contains a previously unreleased track and extensive documentary about the band, the album, and the making of the DVD, directed by Jase Edwards.

Blaze Bayley starts the European leg of the Tour That Will Not Die in Italy this coming Wednesday (February 25). The two-month trek will cover over 17 European countries in 43 shows. Then the tour heads to the U.K. for 27 shows in May and June, as well as appearances at the Sweden Rock festival and Romania's Rock City Open Air festival.

Blaze reportedly dedicated the song "While You Were Gone" at the Pratteln concert to his wife/manager Debbie Hartland, who died in late September after suffering a brain hemorrhage while in the hospital.

Atlanta-based quintet DAATH has revealed the track listing and artwork for its new album, "The Concealers", which is scheduled for release on April 20 in Europe and April 21 in the U.S. through Century Media Records (via a partnership with Roadrunner Records). The CD was produced and mixed by Jason Suecof and Mark Lewis (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEVILDRIVER).

"The Concealers" track listing:

01. Sharpen The Blades
02. Self Corruption Manifesto
03. The Worthless
04. The Unbinding Truth
05. Silenced
06. Wilting On The Vine
07. Translucent Potency
08. Day Of Endless Light
09. Duststorm
10. ...Of Poisoned Sorrows
11. Incestuous Amplification

Norwegian power metallers GAIA EPICUS have issued the following update:

"It has only been a few months since the release of 'Damnation' [GAIA EPICUS' fourth album] but the plans for album number five is already in progress. Thomas [C. Hansen, guitar] has already written around seven-eight songs for the next album and a few songtitles are 'Beyond The Universe', 'The Raven', 'Lost Forever' and 'Behind These Walls'. The album will be called 'Dark Secrets' and is scheduled for a release in the fall. Cover painting will once again be done by J.P Fournier."

GAIA EPICUS last year posted video footage from the recording sessions for "Damnation". Watch the eight-minute clip below.

"Damnation" features guest appearances from the following musicians:

Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN)
Dominique Leurquin (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, LUCA TURILLI'S DREAMQUEST)
Renato Tribuzy (TRIBUZY)
Andreas Olsson (NARNIA, DIVINEFIRE, ROB ROCK, STORMWIND)
Michael Troy (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Jonas Hörnqvist (TREASURE LAND)
Lasse Jensen (OCEANS OF TIME)
Fabrizio S Muratori (NHORIZON)

French symphonic metallers FAIRYLAND will release their new album, "Score To A New Beginning", on the following dates:

Mar. 25 - Japan and rest of Asia (Marquee/Avalon)
Apr. 29 - Finland, Spain (Napalm Records)
Apr. 30 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden (Napalm Records)
May 04 - Rest of Europe (Napalm Records)

FAIRYLAND keyboardist/backing vocalist Philippe Giordana previously stated about the new album, "The main vocal character on the disc is the Italian singer Marco Sandron from the progressive metal band PATHOSRAY. His voice fits perfectly into our style. Other vocal participations on the album [are] by Elisa Martin (the original FAIRYLAND vocalist from the debut album), Lars Larsen (from Danish power metal band MANTICORA) and Georg Neuhauser (from Austrian power metal band SERENITY).

"Score To A New Beginning" guest musicians:

Marco Sandron (PATHOSRAY): Vocals
Elisa C. Martin (DREAMAKER): Vocals
Lars F. Larsen (MANTICORA): Vocals
Georg Neuhauser (SERENITY): Vocals
Flora Spinelli (KERION): Vocals
Fabio D'Amore (PATHOSRAY): Bass
Dushan Petrossi (MAGIC KINGDOM, IRON MASK): Guitar Solos
Alessio Velliscig (PATHOSRAY): Guitar Solos
Alex Corona (REVOLTONS): Guitar Solos
Chris Menta: Rhythm Guitars, Guitar Solos
Hugues Lefebvre (ANTHROPIA): Guitar Solos
Yann Mouhad (ANTHROPIA): Guitar Solos
Willdric Lievin (HAMKA): Drums, some Rhythm Guitars

"Score To A New Beginning track listing:

01. Opening Credits
02. Across The Endless Sea Part II
03. Assault On The Shore
04. Leviathan
05. A Soldier's Letter
06. Godsent
07. At The Gates Of Morken
08. Rise Of The Giants
09. Score To A New Beginning
10. End Credits

The artwork for "Score To A New Beginning" was created by Gonzalo "Genzo" Ordonez, who also did the artwork for the band's last album, "The Fall Of An Empire".

DIMMU BORGIR guitarist/songwriter Silenoz is featured on ShockHound's "Stella Can't Cook" show.

"I come from a musical background where you don't really have much cash," states Silenoz, "so you have to spend the little you have on cheap stuff."

Check out the video below of Silenoz's preparation of grilled hot dogs with shrimp salad wrapped in tortillas with show host Stella (who is a terrible cook).

Silenoz's favorite countries to eat in are: Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and the U.S.

On Wednesday, February 18, Swedish metallers HAMMERFALL played at the Debaser Medis in Stockholm as part of a live broadcast of the SVT production "Popcirkus". Watch two songs from the performance below.

HAMMERFALL's new album, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", was
released in Europe this past Friday (February 20) via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in part at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden and includes an instrumental written by the group's latest addition, guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT), as well as a song entitled "One of a Kind", which was composed as a collaboration between HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak and IN FLAMES axeman Jesper Strömblad (who was a member of HAMMERFALL in the band's earliest incarnation). The cover artwork was created by Sam Didier, while Thomas Ewerhard was responsible for the CD layout.

"No Sacrifice, No Victory" track listing:

01. Any Means Necessary
02. Life Is Now
03. Punish And Enslave
04. Legion
05. Between Two Worlds
06. Hallowed Be My Name
07. Something For The Ages
08. No Sacrifice, No Victory
09. Bring The Hammer Down
10. One Of A Kind
11. My Sharona (THE KNACK cover)

Italian hard rock band LACUNA COIL, which offers the dual vocals of male singer Andrea Ferro and female vocalist Cristina Scabbia, will release its much-anticipated new album, "Shallow Life", via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Europe: April 20
North America: April 21

The CD was recorded in September/October at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Don Gilmore, who has previously worked with LINKIN PARK, TRAPT, AVRIL LAVIGNE, GOOD CHARLOTTE, THE VERONICAS, PEARL JAM, TRUST COMPANY and DURAN DURAN.

"Shallow Life" track listing:

01. Survive
02. I Won't Tell You
03. Not Enough
04. I'm Not Afraid
05. I Like It
06. Underdog
07. The Pain
08. Spellbound
09. Wide Awake
10. The Maze
11. Unchained
12. Shallow Life

Bassist Henkka Seppälä (a.k.a. Henkka T. Blacksmith) of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM has told FemaleFirst that the band is planning on releasing a collection of covers sometime in the fall. The set is expected to feature most of the group's previously released cover versions, including the following:

* "Aces High" by IRON MAIDEN
* "Don't Stop At The Top" by the SCORPIONS
* "Hellion" by W.A.S.P.
* "Mass Hypnosis" by SEPULTURA
* "No Commands" by STONE
* "Shot In The Dark" by OZZY OSBOURNE
* "Iron, Steel, Metal" by WIZZARD
* "Rebel Yell" by BILLY IDOL
* "Talk Dirty To Me" by POISON
* "Latomeri" by KLAMYDIA
* "Bed Of Nails" by ALICE COOPER
* "She Is Beautiful" by ANDREW W.K.
* "Silent Scream" by SLAYER
* "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" by the RAMONES
* "Oops!... I Did It Again" by BRITNEY SPEARS

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER have issued the following update:

"We are very sad to inform you that we have separated from Thilo Herrmann [guitar; ex-RISK, FAITHFUL BREATH, HOLY MOSES, RUNNING WILD].

"After all the euphoria about the second guitarist in the beginning, first doubts regarding the current situation of the band started showing up bit by bit. There were many different things, starting with the free room on the stage and going on to musical aspects that have been observed by every old member of the band independently and which finally made us feel that we would have to separate from Thilo. This decision has been made by common consent and on behalf of the whole band. It does not have to do with any interpersonal problems or the like. In fact, we took it very hard to separate from that really nice guy that Thilo is.

"GRAVE DIGGER has been a well-attuned team for a very long time, and according to expectations it's hard for a new musician to become integrated. Where previously a well-practiced team performed on the stage, we were not able to pal up to a sixth man.

"As for Thilo, we wish him all the best for his musical and private future."