LAVETT, an uncompromising Swedish five-piece consisting of musicians who have spent the last ten years making albums and touring with such acts as DARK TRANQUILLITY, LOST HORIZON, BESEECH, TWDSO (THOSE WE DON'T SPEAK OF) and SUNDOWN/CEMETARY, will release a digital EP, "When The World Caves In", in March through iTunes, Amazon, Napster, eMusic, Klicktrack, CDON and other well-known digital music services.

According to a press release, LAVETT's sound is "a perfect blend of their musical ideals. Taking the listener from beautiful landscapes of melodies to a raw, unpolished and powerful rock nirvana. Even though you may know the LAVETT members from before. You'll have had no way to prepare yourself for what they're bringing to your speakers this time around."

LAVETT is:

Daniel Heiman (LOST HORIZON, HEED) - Vocals
Michael Niklasson (DARK TRANQULLITY) - Bass
Robert Vintervind (BESEECH) - Gutar
Manne Engtröm (BESEECH, FATAL EMBRACE) - Guitar
Christian Silver (SUNDOWN, CEMETARY) - Drums

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 titled "ReUnation - A Tribute To Running Wild" and is tentatively scheduled for release in the fall this year. The artwork will be created by Romanian graphic artist Costin Chioreanu, who has previously worked wit hsuch bands as ABSU, CENTINEX, DEMONICAL, NEGURA BUNGET and THUNDERSTORM.

So far the following tracks are confirmed to appear on the set:

CRYSTAL VIPER - "Libertalia"
MAGICA - "Victory"
ORDEN OGAN - "Skull & Bones"
SATANOCHIO - "Siberian Winter"
SKILTRON - "Ballad Of William Kidd"
THUNDERSTORM - "Welcome To Hell"

The surviving members of the long-defunct Finnish band SENTENCED have issued a statement regarding the passing of the group's former guitarist and main songwriter, Miika Tenkula, who was found dead at his home on Thursday, February 19. He was 34 years old. The statement reads as follows:

"SENTENCED mourn the loss of Miika Tenkula, a dear friend, a truly remarkable artist and musician, and the very soul of what used to be SENTENCED. Rest now, brother — in your music and our hearts you will live forever."

A farewell video can be viewed below.

The official cause of Miika's death has not yet been released.

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS received a lifetime achievement award at this year's ECHO German Music Awards. The band accepted its ECHO in person last night (Saturday, February 21) at Berlin's O2 World and performed an exclusive medley of the SCORPIONS hits "Big City Nights", "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "Wind Of Change" before 10,000 fans. Watch footage of the performance below.

The band, whose international career began 40 years ago in Hanover, is the most successful German rock group of all time. With over 75 million recordings sold and countless platinum and gold albums, it has influenced generations of rock musicians.

With albums such as "Blackout" and "Love At First Sting", and hit singles like "Still Loving You" and "Rock You Like a Hurricane", the SCORPIONS not only made German rock history; the group is an international hard rock pioneer and has influenced bands like IRON MAIDEN, BON JOVI and METALLICA. The "SCORPS" are one of today's great, legendary global acts and still enjoy huge success — whether in Russia, India, Japan, Brazil, France, Britain or the USA. During their acclaimed "Humanity - Hour 1" world tour last year they played to over 150,000 fans at concerts in South America, and campaigned massively with Greenpeace for protecting the world's rainforests.

"Stingwray", the new single from the Los Angeles-based metal band STATIC-X, is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page (click on the "Stingwray" artwork in the player in order to launch audio). The track was inspired by frontman Wayne Static's wife, former adult film star Tera Wray, and the Corvette Stingray she drives.

"Stingwray" comes off STATIC-X's new album, "Cult of Static", which is scheduled for release on March 17 via Reprise Records. Elsehwere on the CD, the cybernetic stomp of "Hypure" and "You Am I" bludgeon, bruise and break with precise grooves, while the staccato riffs on "Terminal" crush through an unmistakable guitar tone. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda blazes through incendiary solos, while Tony Campos bolts down demonic bass lines and Nick Oshiro pounds out deadly rhythms. Wayne Static riffs pure violence and screams out his soul.

A song you may already be familiar with is "Lunatic" as it was included on the "Punisher: War Zone" movie soundtrack. Although "Lunatic" is relentless and raw, brandishing a ripping groove and an impenetrable barrier of guitars, the album cut was re-recorded to feature a solo by legendary MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine.

"I've been a huge MEGADETH fan for years," explains Static. "We've toured with them twice. Mustaine and I really hit it off on the road. His lead style is one of the most distinctive styles out there. There's something amazing about it. When you hear him solo, you know it's him."

"Cult of Static" track listing:

01. Lunatic (feat. Dave Mustaine)
02. Z28
03. Terminal
04. Hypure
05. Tera-Fied
06. Stingwray
07. You Am I
08. Isolaytore
09. Nocturnally
10. Skinned
11. Grind 2 Halt

Metal Mind Productions will issue a seven-CD ELEGY box set on March 23 in Europe and May 5 May in North America (via MVD). The titles will be made available in a new digipack edition on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology and limited to 1,000 copies.

The box set will contain the following:

* "Labyrinth Of Dreams" (1992) (two bonus demo tracks)
* "Supremacy" (1993) (two bonus demo tracks)
* "Lost" (1995) (two bonus demo tracks recorded in 1990)
* "Primal Instinct" (1996) (one bonus demo track plus four acoustic songs performed by singer Ian Parry and guitarist Henk van de Laars during their 1998 TV and radio promotional tour of Japan)
* "State Of Mind" (1997) (three bonus demo tracks)
* "Manifestation Of Fear" (1998) (three bonus tracks)
* "Principles Of Pain" (2002) (four bonus tracks)

Tuomas Holopainen has been chosen as the recipient of the 2009 Soundi Award. The leader, songwriter, and keyboardist of NIGHTWISH is an inspiring example of a musician possessing clear vision, proper musical education, and stamina.

After founding NIGHTWISH in his native town of Kitee in 1996, Holopainen has kept his eyes on the horizon while steering the team through both calm and stormy waters. So far the legacy extends to six studio albums and hundreds of shows all over the world.
The major breakthrough presaged by the band's fifth disc, "Once", was achieved with "Dark Passion Play", released in September 2007. Presently, NIGHTWISH's sixth album has sold in excess of 900,000 copies worldwide, of which a good 10 percent has come from the United States. In its native Finland, "Dark Passion Play" has shifted a staggering 130,000 copies — more than any other album so far during the 21st century.

All these commercial achievements and the album's overwhelming critical success aside, Tuomas Holopainen still believes that content is king. He is happy to receive accolades such as the Soundi Award, but still emphasizes the importance of total artistic freedom:

"I find solace in the fact that nothing else matters if one is able to make music that comes straight from the heart," Holopainen muses. "This is the main lesson I learned from the success of 'Dark Passion Play'."

The captain of NIGHTWISH wishes to tip his hat to open-minded music fans all over.

"It is a relief to see that our decision to stay far away from anything even resembling calculating can lead to something like this. And especially this award! An extraordinary bust; It makes you humble, proud and bursting with laughter all at the same time!"

The Soundi Award is a statue designed by journalist-comic book artist-tattoo artist-Soundi mainstay Juho Juntunen. Tuomas Holopainen is the fifth-ever recipient of the award and he was chosen by a jury of Soundi writers.

Published monthly, Soundi is the leading rock publication in Finland.

Finnish dark metallers SOULFALLEN will release their second album, "Grave New World", on March 4. The CD was recorded and mixed at Studio Watercastle during November/December 2008 by Arttu Sarvanne and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in December 2009. The album will be released in Finland by Off Records and distributed by Firebox.

According to a press release, "This new plague will consist of nine anthems of dark metal infamy surely to haunt the feeble minds of men to their decrepit ends. In 2007 the world expired and now the time has come for the burial!"

"Grave New World" track listing:

01. A Hearse With No Name
02. Devour
03. To The Wolves At My Door
04. This World Is Bleeding Flies
05. Grave New World
06. Towers Of Silence
07. Embrace The Scythe
08. Serenity's Throne
09. We Are The Sand

Metal Mind Productions will release the CD (audio) version of SOLITUDE AETURNUS' first DVD, entitled "Hour of Despair", on March 2 in Europe (via Metal Mind Productions) and March 10 in North America (via MVD). The digipack edition is limited to 1,000 copies.

"Hour of Despair" includes a recording of SOLITUDE AETURNUS's February 12, 2007 concert at Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland.

"Hour of Despair" track listing:

01. Scent of Death
02. Haunting the Obscure
03. Mental Pictures
04. Destiny Falls to Ruin
05. Sightless
06. 9th Day: Awakening
07. Phantoms
08. Is There
09. Pawns of Anger
10. Waiting for the Light
11. Days of Prayer
12. Falling

LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — will release its new DVD/CD, "We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia", via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Feb. 25 - Finland, Spain
Feb. 27 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, BeNeLux, France, Italy
Mar. 02 - Rest of Europe
Mar. 24 - USA, Canada

Two tracks from the CD — "The Crossing" and "New Found Land" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

LEAVES' EYES will embark on an autograph tour through some of Germany's music superstores in support of "We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia". As a special bonus, the group will perform special acoustic sets during these signing sessions.

In order to celebrate the release of the new DVD/CD, LEAVES' EYES will bring "We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia" to the big screen. Select UCI movie theaters in Germany will present the audience with a one-of-a-kind movie experience.

"We Came With The Northern Winds - En Saga I Belgia" "will have a total playing time of approximately six hours," according to a press release. "The first disc comprises 'We Came With The Northern Winds', a band documentary with a running time of two hours. The movie highlights the band's career and offers fans an exclusive and intimate glimpse into the world of LEAVES' EYES, as well as presenting the viewer with impressions of past tours (222 concerts spanning over four continents and 34 countries). The second disc documents LEAVES' EYES' memorable headlining gig on October 20, 2007 at the Metal Female Voices Fest in Wieze, Belgium. The show featured the legendary Viking longboat stage set, as well as a setlist full of fan favorites. The package also delivers a double audio CD of the show as a special bonus."

Italian melodic black metal band GRAVEWORM has issued the following update:

"We have just finished recording the drums for the new CD!

Everything went really well and we are very satisfied with the result!

We will start to record the guitars on Monday... and so, piece by piece, we are
getting forwards.

You can see some new pictures of the RECORDING SESSION 2009 here:

RECORDING SESSION 2009"

The last band's album, "Collateral Defect" was released in May of 2007 by Nuclear Blast

Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS will release their brand new studio album, "Polaris", in May. The CD — the group's first since the departure of guitar player and main composer Timo Tolkki — will be made available via the band's new label partner Edel under the new imprint earMUSIC outside of Asia and the band's longtime record company in Asia, JVC.

Commented keyboardist Jens Johansson: "We are very happy to have found strong label partners for the new era of STRATOVARIUS who truly believe in the band and are as enthusiastic as we are. I can't wait to hit the road again and meet all fans who supported us through all our good and bad times."

In September 2008, freed from many burdens of negativity, the band found the freedom to go into seclusion for almost a month in a cottage by the sea in a Finnish forest to relax, laugh, write songs, be creative together, and record. And they found themselves being a band reborn. The result is a melodic, powerful, fresh, tight, and technically elaborate new album.

"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios in Helsinki, Finland. Mixed by the longtime confidant of the band Mikko Karmila the album became another shining polar star at the Northern sky. Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. 11 songs full of energy, musicianship, and a positive outlook.

Vocalist Timo Kotipelto explains: "'Polaris' is a positive, powerful album that STRATOVARIUS fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts."

The band will support the release of their new studio album with live shows around the globe. The world tour will start in the U.K., followed by a number of dates in continental Europe. September will see STRATOVARIUS playing live shows in Asia, followed by a full North and South American tour in September/October. A European headlining tour is scheduled for January 2010.

STRATOVARIUS' latest addition is 25-year-old Finnish guitar phenomenon Matias Kupiainen. Drummer Jörg Michael said, "In Matias we found new character who fits perfectly with his way of melodic guitar shredding. He is a killer player, a 'wunderkind' from Finland!"

Working songtitles that are set to appear on "Polaris" include:

* "King Of Nothing"
* "Eternal Life"
* "Something Precious"
* "I Am Blind"
* "Free Diving"

STRATOVARIUS 2009 is:

Timo Kotipelto - Vocals
Matias Kupiainen - Guitars
Lauri Porra - Bass
Jörg Michael - Drums
Jens Johansson – Keyboards

Powerhouse American heavy metal vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) will release his first solo album, "Play My Game", in May via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

The list of guest musicians featured on Owens' solo debut is even more spectacular:

Guitar:

Bob Kulick
Bruce Kulick (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ex-KISS)
Carlos Cavazo (RATT, ex-QUIET RIOT)
Craig Goldy (DIO)
Zeil Zaza
Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA)
Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT)
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).
Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE)
Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE)
Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE)
Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)

Bass:

Marco Mendoza (ex-WHITESNAKE)
Billy Sheehan (MR BIG, ex-DAVID LEE ROTH)
Dave Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH)
Rudy Sarzo (DIO, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT)
James Lomenzo (MEGADETH)
Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE MURDER)
Dennis Hayes (BEYOND FEAR)

Drums:

Simon Wright (DIO, ex-AC/DC)
Vinny Appice (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO)
Ray Luzier (KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH)
Bobby Jarzombek (SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT, HALFORD)
Brett Chassen

Fans and experts alike will love this sensational all-star lineup and may rest assured that the haunting songs will effortlessly live up to this illustrious cast of musicians: Tim "Ripper" Owens has never sounded more impressive, melodic and multi-faceted!

"I've gotten better as a songwriter," Owens explains. "And I also write songs that the fans can really get into and get their fist pounding in the air. I've always been a great fan of the BLACK SABBATH lineup featuring Ronnie James Dio, and I love JUDAS PRIEST. Both bands delivered records that are straightforward and go directly to the bloodstream — which also happens to be my compositional approach."

"Play My Game" will be released on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 15
Rest of Europe: May 18
USA, Canada: May 19

PANTHEON I, the Norwegian extreme metal band featuring vocalist/guitarist Andrè Kvebek (1349) and guitarist John Espen Sagstad (TROLLFEST, SARKOM), has entered Strand Studio to begin recording its new album, "Worlds I Create", for a June 1 release via Candlelight Records. According to a press release, only the vocals and the cello have yet to be recorded.

"Worlds I Create" track listing (in no particular order):

01. Written In Sand
02. Defile The Trinity
03. Bannlyst
04. Serpent Christ
05. Ascending
06. Myself Above All
07. The Last Stand
08. Burn The Cross

PANTHEON I recently parted ways with drummer Dan Theobald and replaced him with Mads Guldbekkhei (The ALLSEEING I).

SONS OF SEASONS — the new progressive/symphonic metal band led by keyboardist/guitarist Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO) — will release its debut album, "Gods Of Vermin", via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Apr. 29 - Finland, Spain
Apr. 30 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Sweden
May 04 - Rest of Europe
May 19 - USA, Canada

The album will be available as a regular jewel case and a limited-edition dipack.

"Gods Of Vermin" was mixed at Mastersound Studios in Fellbach, Germany. EPICA singer Simone Simons — who happens to be Oliver Palotai's girlfriend — has confirmed that she makes a guest appearance on the album.

Line-Up:
Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO, BLAZE) - Keyboards, Guitar
Daniel Schild (BLAZE) - Drums
Jürgen Steinmetz - Bass
Henning Basse (METALIUM, FIREWIND) - Vocals

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx has issued the following update:

"There was a recent event at one of our shows where someone threw a bottle at me during my speech and I got pretty pissed. The way it happened is, I threw a bottle of water to some fans and didn't realize the very bottle I threw to the fans was thrown back at me. I have to admit, bands get pretty pissed when people throw shit at you onstage. I didn't even think it was the same bottle, so with that being said, I'd like to say I'm sorry to the fan who threw the bottle back at me.

"These damn cliches seem to be true, like 'two wrongs don't make a right...'

"Rock 'n' roll, and temper tantrums…

"P.S.: These self-help books are really helping. Ha-Ha."

Video footage of Nikki Sixx tossing a bottle of water into the crowd during the band's February 2, 2009 concert in San Diego before having it thrown back at him, resulting in a one-minute onstage tirade by the bassist, can be viewed below.

Members of the French experimental black metal band BLUT AUS NORD have formed a new industrial black metal project called 777. The group's debut album, which is scheduled for release this spring through Debemur Morti Productions, promises to "unleash a putrescent and monochromatic aural universe composed of bleak pessimism, disharmony and human failure," according to a press release.

A new track from BLUT AUS NORD entitled "The Formless Sphere (Beyond The Reason)" is available for streaming on the Candlelight Records MySpace page. The song comes off the band's new album, "Memoria Vetusta II - Dialogue With The Stars", which is scheduled for release on February 23.

BLUT AUS NORD's last album, "Odinist", was released in October 2007 through Candlelight Records.

AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton has issued the following update:

"The big news is that we had our first meeting and strategy session with our producer Brendan O'Brien [VELVET REVOLVER, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, PEARL JAM, AC/DC, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS]. We've been wanting to work with him for a while. The meeting came on the heels of the band all working together for the first two weeks. Things are moving along and it's now on the fast track. We had a day where we all got to listen to everyone's songs and ideas. In the next few weeks we'll be narrowing down what we've got. We can already see things coming into focus — even as new ideas are popping up right and left. Joe [Perry, guitar] survived his knee operation and has obviously done lots of playing during his recuperation.

"On a personal note — I went to Disney World this past weekend and took a few spins on the Rockin' Rollercoaster. I couldn't stop feeling the irony of the fact that we have a ride and it's been there so long. Still not quite used to it!

"Our guide did a masterful job of moving us around so I could spy on all the people getting ready to go. We went out front and watched everyone in line listening to our music and anticipating the experience. Then we snuck into the area where you see a film of us 'in the studio.' It was dark enough so I could actually stand there and watch it. I haven't looked at that footage for a few years. My hair was a bit on the short side but I was re-satisfied by my choice of the blue satin shirt.

"After that we quickly infiltrated the area where the riders actually get into their seats. It was hilarious seeing people nervously try to get ready for the intensity of the ride. It was awesome hearing the screams of the recently launched competing with 'Back in the Saddle' screaming out of the sound system. Then it was our turn. I've been on the thing many times but not for a while. Just like everyone else my pulse rate leaped. I got the full force of that "uh oh here we go" feeling.

"When it first starts you rush to the beginning of a tunnel and stop...and wait for what feels like an eon. Then out of nowhere, just as your head's about to pop from adrenalin, a massive mechanism flings you down the track like a kid throwing a paper plane. You hit sixty miles an hour in well under four seconds. After that, you're in the hands of physics as you plunge into 4g loops and wickedly exhilarating corkscrews for two solid minutes. At the end of the ride you wind up, where else?... The gift shop. I was still lightly stunned from our second or third turn as I wandered in. That's when the recognition factor kicked in. Pens, paper, t-shirts and snapshot cameras came up out of nowhere for a frantic fifteen minute autograph and picture blast. It was almost as scary and fun as the ride!"

Miika Tenkula, former lead guitarist and main songwriter of the acclaimed Finnish band SENTENCED, was found dead at his home earlier today (Thursday, February 19). He was 35 years old.

Nalle Österman (GANDALF, LULLACRY, CHAOSBREED) tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "It's true, confirmed personally by [former SENTENCED] drummer Vesa Ranta.

"The fact remains that Miika had a serious drinking problem for many years which escalated after SENTENCED was buried. They don't call it King Alcohol for nothing...

"The metal scene in Finland mourns now for one of the most talented metal guitarists to ever emerge from [the country]."

The official cause of Miika's death has not yet been released.

SENTENCED's posthumous DVD, "Buried Alive", was certified platinum last year in the band's native Finland. The disc topped the official Finnish chart upon its release in late 2006.

The former members of SENTENCED were presented with the platinum award for "Buried Alive" on August 14, 2008 at Century Media Records' 20th-anniversary party at the Tavastia club in Helsinki where ex-SENTENCED singer Ville Laihiala's new band, POISONBLACK, and labelmates NORTHER and KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI performed.

An e-card for "Buried Alive" DVD, which captures the Finnish band's final performance in their hometown of Oulu, Finland on October 1, 2005, can be accessed at this location. The e-card features a full mock-up of the DVD menu and a taste of "Buried Alive", including one full live song as well as snippets from all chapters.

Directed by Mika Ronkainen of Klaffi Productions, the two-disc set features the entire concert, including a special guest appearance by former SENTENCED vocalist Taneli Jarva.

SENTENCED's last-ever studio CD, aptly titled "The Funeral Album", entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 1 back in June 2005. The follow-up to 2002's "The Cold White Light" was recorded primarily at Finnvox and Tonebox studios (both in Finland), and mixed and mastered at Finnvox. Producing the effort was Hiili Hiilesmaa, who also worked with SENTENCED on the group's previous two albums, 2000's "Crimson" and "The Cold White Light".

According to The Pulse of Radio, drummer Josh Freese, who has toured and recorded as a member of A PERFECT CIRCLE and NINE INCH NAILS in addition to playing on hundreds of other records, will release a new solo album called "Since 1972" this spring. The disc will be available digitally at JoshFreese.com starting on March 24, with a physical CD arriving in stores on April 14. Freese sings and plays almost all the instruments on the record, which follows up his 2000 solo outing "The Notorious One Man Orgy".

Freese recently completed a three-year stint as the drummer for NINE INCH NAILS, departing the band at the end of 2008.

He also recorded three albums with A PERFECT CIRCLE and toured with that outfit, and was a member of GUNS N' ROSES for a brief period.

Freese is one of the music industry's most in-demand session drummers, having played on dozens albums by the likes of EVANESCENCE, STAIND, THE OFFSPRING, PUDDLE OF MUDD, DEVO, STING, and many more.

The Dutch branch of Roadrunner Records is streaming the new song "April Rain" from DELAIN — the Dutch gothic rock/metal project founded by ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Westerholt (brother of WITHIN TEMPTATION's Robert Westerholt) — at this location (scroll down for the audio player). The track is the title cut of the group's new album, which hits stores March 30 via Roadrunner.

"April Rain" follows DELAIN's acclaimed 2006 debut "Lucidity", which featured guest appearances by members of WITHIN TEMPTATION, NIGHTWISH and LEAVES' EYES.

"The new album is a real group effort, [and] that's what we're most proud of," says Westerholt.

After a successful tour in Germany in December 2008, DELAIN will launch the new album in Amsterdam on March 19 at a special event at the Melkweg venue. Westerholt says: "After that we'll tour Europe with KAMELOT and do multiple headline shows throughout Europe. I'd never intended DELAIN to be a real touring band… but now that we've become one, I'm definitely enjoying it to the fullest. We're looking forward to seeing our fans again real soon!"

"April Rain" track listing:

01. April Rain
02. Stay Forever
03. Invidia
04. Control The Storm
05. On The Other Side
06. Virtue And Vice
07. Go Away
08. Start Swimming
09. Lost
10. I'll Reach You
11. Nothing Left

"April Rain" will also be available as a limited-edition digipack, including bonus content.

Reunited seminal grindcore/extreme metal outfit BRUTAL TRUTH has posted the first preview track from its brand-new album and first full-length in 10 years, "Evolution Through Revolution". The title track can be heard now via the band's MySpace page.

"Evolution Through Revolution" is scheduled for an April 14 North American release (April 20 internationally) via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Watchman Studios in Lockport, New York with engineer Doug White (PSYOPUS). Other songtitles set to appear on the album include "Sugardaddy", "Get A Therapist… Spare The World", "Detached", "Global Good Guy", "Lifer", "Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs", and "Grind Fidelity".

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

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

BRUTAL TRUTH and Relapse Records last year joined together to bootleg the bootleggers and have officially released the "For Drug Crazed Grindfreaks Only!" recording. The first pressing comes with a limited-edition patch.

It was around Christmas when I was thinking about another short message for the homepage. As you can guess we all turned much older in the meantime - without a message. And even though February is here I still dare to wish you a Happy New Year. I trust that 2009 started promising for everyone. As usual there is a lot to tell, so I better start before you skip this due to boredom. Let's talk about new material and future plans:

We have already accomplished 8 new songs. What can I say about these songs? They rule, of course. You want a more precise description? Impossible. All I can say is that each and every song is 100% Blind Guardian, which naturally means there is a wild bunch of different things going on from time to time (always?).

According to atmospheres: we have everything from the more Nightfallish "Curse my Name" , to the Scriptish "Wheel of Time". In comparison to "A Twist in the Myth" the lyrical direction will be more on the fantasy side as you most probably can figure out by these titles. The song "Sacred" will give you an idea about the quality and the direction of the songs. We have mixed modern elements with traditional ones throughout the whole songs. We may need two or three more tracks before we can call it a complete album, but being that far in the songwriting process we nevertheless have made first plans for a production start in September or October 2009.

Apart from songwriting we will be heavily engaged in preproduction activities and in playing festivals during the next months. As a majority of the new songs seem to demand a sort of "live" atmosphere, we consider it to be good idea breathing in some real "live" air before we will finally get lost in the "Twilight Hall studios" again. As for the festivals you can find the already confirmed ones in the tour section. We will immediately list the "not yet confirmed" shows once they are confirmed.

In accordance to these events I can promise you some surprising songs (though most probably no new ones) and a nice stage set up. In total we are not going to play more than 10 shows, I would think. I am sure they all will turn out to be a great blast and a unique experience for everyone joining us. I will let you know what else is going on around Easter (that ´s at least when I will start thinking about another short message...).

Hansi

DEVILS WHOREHOUSE — the "horror-death rock" side-project of MARDUK guitarist Morgan Håkansson — will release its new full-length album, "Blood & Ashes", on April 13 via Regain Records.

"Blood & Ashes" track listing:

01. Oceans Turn To Blood
02. Wicked One
03. Speak The Name Of The Dead
04. The Cult Of Death
05. Werewolf
06. Demons Of The Flesh/Tight White Ropes
07. Shadows Never Change
08. Smell Of The Ancient Ones
09. Face The Master
10. Werewolf Nation
11. Snakes Out The Mouth Of Hell

Check out the track "Speak The Name Of The Dead" on the band's MySpace page.