Former HAMMERFALL bassist Magnus Rosén will take part in a concert with the Göteborg Wind Orchestra on April 23 at the oldest house in Gothenburg, Sweden called Kronhuset (dating back to around 1600). According to Magnus, this will mark the first time a heavy metal bass player has perfomed with a wind orchestra.

In other news, Rosén will embark on tour of China between February 27 and March 10. He will also also open a new music house in Gothenburg in February. It will include rehearsal facilities, workshops, a live stage, and it will be a place where people can meet profesional musicians to exchange ideas, experiences and get information on how the music business works.

X-WORLD/5, the new band featuring Rosén alongside KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque and PAGAN'S MIND vocalist Nils K.Rue, is putting the finishing touches on its sophomore album at La Rocque's Sonic Train studios in Varberg, Sweden (which is located 40 minutes south of Gothenburg) for a tentative late spring/early summer release. According to Rosén, the CD will contain "strange heavy metal with influences from the past to the future." More information will be made available soon.

X-WORLD/5 issued its debut album, "New Universal Order" in North America in November via Locomotive Records.

For more information, visit www.magnusrosen.org.

Norwegian powerhouse vocalist Jorn Lande — who performs under the name JORN — entered the studio in November to begin recording his new solo album, "Spirit Black", tentatively due in June via Frontiers Records. The follow-up to last year's "Lonely Are The Brave" CD — which entered the national chart in Norway at No. 28 and Sweden at No. 42 — will be mixed in February. Songtitles set to appear on the LP include "Road Of the Cross", "Black Heart" and "Rock'n Roll Angel". Jorn states, "People can expect a solid and defined album that will shake the classic metal world and hammer the future Jorn legacy in stone!"

Frontiers Records released the long-awaited JORN DVD, "Live In America", in Europe on January 23, 2009.

Swedish progressive metallers OPETH played in India for the first time ever Sunday night (January 25) at the Indian Institute of Technology's Saarang festival in the city of Chennai to a metal-starved Indian audience who loved every minute of it. They also took part in a signing session after the show where many of the fans got a chance to meet them, get their pictures taken and get the bandmembers' autographs.

OPETH's setlist was as follows:

01. Heir Apparent
02. The Grand Conjuration
03. Godhead's Lament
04. The Night And The Silent Water
05. Wreath
06. The Lotus Eater
07. Deliverance
08. Bleak
09. The Baying Of The Hounds
10. Demon Of The Fall
11. The Drapery Falls

Commented OPETH guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt: "India was great and pretty ubvelievable at the same time. I mean, it's so poor I couldn't believe it. Where we went is the 'real' India, not Goa which is a tourist paradise more or less. We had a 'hotel' in a student type area as the Saraang festival was just around the corner from there. It was basically located in the middle of the woods and was a pretty simple affair. No hot water, no toilet paper, no soap, obviously no room service. But with that said, our chaperone took great care of us and fixed us whatever we needed. There were several monkeys hanging out with us at the hotel. They lived in the woods surrounding it and greeted us outside our doors every morning. There were also plenty of deer hanging around, which almost seemed completely tame and unafraid of humans

"We went for a trip to see some ancient temples which was well worth it and obviously interesting to see. There were shitloads of salesmen and beggars all around which was a bit uncomfortable, but I guess they do what they need to do to make a living.

"We had been asked to judge a competition between five bands as well. They we're playing in a big amphitheater, the same where we'd be playing later on. We were asked to name our favourite band as well as our favourite singer, guitarist, bass player and drummer. Afterwards we announced the winner from stage and they were so happy... they got some free gear (including a PRS guitar) for winning too. We also did a press conference which was just amazing, I mean the people there were so loud, roaring as we came through the door. Same with the signing session. The organizer had set us up with a 50-something-man-strong security team that formed a human chain around as and walked us back and forth from the cars and into the buildings. Insane! People seemed so happy to see us and we almost got chills from the attention... and the fucking roars man...!!! Loud as fuck!

"The show went OK! There were some odd 10,000 people there and the response was great. We had some technical difficulties with the drums and bass, and monitors but overall I think we did pretty well.

"The only negative thing about the show were the sponsors, Nokia cellphones. Some fucking how they'd talked me into doing some retarded fucking thing with a new cellphone from the stage. I was gonna be given a phone and show it to the crowd, press a button and then an OPETH song would come on. Obviously, it didn't work and I was just insanely embarrased by it all. It's so NOT me! On top of that, Nokia fucked us over royally! Playing fucking shit techno in the middle of our set, had some idiot jumping on stage prancing around yelling about Nokia and whetever... plus big-ass Nokia banners in the MIDDLE of our songs as we're playing! Utterly tasteless and overall retarded! I was fuming with anger as I came offstage. They gave me the phone but I immediately gave it away to a random driver we had. It was probably worth a month's wage to him, so he was happy at least.

"So here we go: FUCK YOU NOKIA INDIA!

"But, as I said, overall it was fine, and the crowd was just fantastic! So loud and respectful... it was simply overwhelming! Thank you so much for your hospitality!"

Actor Mickey Rourke, who plays a professional wrestler in acclaimed film "The Wrestler", has reportedly said he is ready to rumble for real with Chris Jericho, a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar and lead singer of the heavy metal band FOZZY, at wrestling event Wrestlemania 25 on April 5.

Rourke made the announcement Sunday night on the red carpet before the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. He then claimed he was going to toss Jericho "around the ring like tossed salad."

Meanwhile, Jericho, who made an apppearance with Rourke on CNN's "Larry King Live", said the actor was out of line and that he was offended by Rourke's comments. He said Rourke made "a mistake.

Norwegian doom metallers SYRACH entered the studio on the January 16 with producer Bjørnar Nilsen to begin recording their sophomore album, due later in the year via Napalm Records. The band has issued the following update on the new CD's status:

"We have now finished recording our new album, and have only a few last-minute mixing adjustments left before sending it off to mastering. There is no release date yet, but a semi-educated guess would be sometime in May. So, we are very satiesfied with Bjørnar Nilsen's work so far, and working with him has been a pleasure. We recommend him to all bands out there. The album cover will be done by the mighty Martin Kvamme, who has worked with FANTOMAS, Mike Patton, DARKTHRONE and lots of other great artists. He is a masterful designer, and we'll post the artwork and song titles in due time. There will soon, very soon, be a new song posted as a teaser for you out there, so stay tuned."

Check out photos from the studio at this location (free MySpace registration may be required to view pictures).

SYRACH's debut album, "Days of Wrath", was produced by Herbrand Larsen from ENSLAVED and was released on November 2, 2007 in Europe and November 6, 2007 in North America via Napalm Records. The CD cover artwork is the painting "Christs" from MY DYING BRIDE vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe.

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

Italian female-fronted quartet EXILIA has posted another new song, "The Hunter", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "My Own Army", which will be released on February 20 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios in Ottmarsbocholt (near Münster), Germany. ILL NINO drummer Dave Chavarri joined the band in the studio to produce a selection of songs and ILL NINO singer Cristian Machado contributes guest vocals.

Commented frontwoman Masha Mismane: "We can tell you in advance: it rocks! We are all very excited and I can tell you, that this album will be the heaviest record so far since the birth of EXILIA. We managed to 'unleash' even more hidden talents of our great guitarist Alien and with the return of our great drummer Ale, there is no lack of power! After a lot of hard work on melodies and lyrics over the past year, I'm also very pleased with the outcome of my vocals! There are definitely unique elements within every song. I wanted to give them an edge whilst maintaining the original and true characteristics of EXILIA. I can honestly say I can't wait to perform these songs live for you guys to enjoy!"

Check out the "My Own Army" artwork below.

EXILIA will team up with ILL NINO and GOD FORBID for a European tour in February/March.

The two-day trial over the rights to the GORGOROTH band name involving vocalist Gaahl, bassist King ov Hell and the group's estranged guitarist Infernus began earlier today (Wednesday, January 28) in Oslo, Norway.

Infernus (real name: Roger Tiegs) filed a lawsuit against King ov Hell (real name: Tom Cato Visnes) in September 2008 claiming that King (the sixth bass player in GORGOROTH's history) went behind his back in September 2007 and secretly applied for trademark protection of the GORGOROTH bandname and logo, which Infernus had been using since 1992.

The verdict is expected sometime in February.

AHAB, the German funeral doom metal band featuring MIDNATTSOL guitarist Daniel Droste on guitar/vocals and ex-MIDNATTSOL guitarist Christian Hector, has entered the studio to begin recoring its sophomore album for a late spring/early summer release via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2006's "The Call of the Wretched Sea" will contain seven songs and will be based on the wreckage of the Essex.

AHAB is named after Captain Ahab, a character in the novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. Along with its name, the band also draws thematic and lyrical inspiration from "Moby Dick" — some songs even feature direct quotations from the book.

AHAB is:

Daniel Droste: Guitar, Voices, Synths
Christian Hector: Guitar
Stephan Wandernoth: Bass
Cornelius Althammer: Drums

Bassist/vocalist Thomas "Angelripper" Such of veteran German thrashers SODOM has joined forces with longtime friend Detlef "Magic" Lauster in a brand new project called DIE KNAPPEN (old German word for "miner"). The group, which is currently unsigned, has already recorded a single, "Glück Auf", and is currently making it available via the band's official web site or by writing to bestellung@dieknappen.info (single price: 4.99 euros; shirt: 15.99 euros).

DIE KNAPPEN is:

Onkel Tom Angelripper - Vocals
Detlef "Magic" Lauster - Guitar, VOcals
Schiri - Bass
Stefan "Sys" Schlüter - Drums

Danish melodic progressive power metal band ANUBIS GATE will release its new album, "The Detached", on February 27 via Locomotive Records. According to a press release, the CD features "12 amazing songs" based on a story by renowned game play writer Martin Rauff and set to lyrics by ANUBIS GATE's own Henrik Fevre. The album, like its predecessor ("Andromeda Unchained"), was produced by Jacob Hansen and Kim Olesen, and sees the band "further developing its unique style of progressive power metal with new twists and turns, but as always with the songwriting taking the high seat."

Check out two songs from the upcoming CD on the ANUBIS GATE MySpace page.

ANUBIS GATE's most recent album, "Andromeda Unchained", was released in August 2007 via Locomotive Music. The CD was recorded at Hansen Studios and Sphere Music with producers Jacob Hansen and Kim Olesen and mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios.

Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS will release their new album, "Death Magic Doom", on April 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. If I Ever Die
02. Hammer Of Doom
03. The Bleeding Baroness
04. Demon Of The Deep
05. House Of 1000 Voices
06. Dead Angel
07. Clouds Of Dementia
08. My Funeral Dreams

Check out the cover artwork below.

Commented bassist/main songwriter Leif Edling: "The songs [on the new album] are about immortality, depressions, demons, vampires, funerals and the almighty devil that we all know very well, hehe. I love the way we perform here. Rob's [Lowe] singing and Lasse's [Lars Johansson, guitar] soloing are nothing but amazing!! The production is also outstanding! The name 'Death Magic Doom' captures it perfectly! Great name! Love it! It is very suitable for an album of this magnitude AND it also describes what CANDLEMASS is about; Heavy, hard, epic, colossal metal!!! I would say that 'Death Magic Doom' is the best album we have done since 'Nightfall' [1987]!! In all, [the LP contains] nearly 50 minutes of bone-crushing and mind-blowing doom metal!!"

"Throes Of Perdition", the new video from Florida metallers TRIVIUM, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Shogun", which has sold more than 60,000 copies in the United States since its late September release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD follows up "The Crusade", which opened with 31,000 copies in October 2006 to land at No. 25.

"Shogun" was released in North America on September 30, 2008 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was mixed in London by Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, NAPALM DEATH), with Jeff Rose and Martin "Ginge" Ford assisting on engineering duties.

"Evisceration Plague", the new album from Tampa, Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, is available for streaming in its entirety at the band's MySpace page.

"Evisceration Plague" is scheduled for release on February 3, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Kill" was produced by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL) at his Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Commented bassist Alex Webster: "In CANNIBAL CORPSE, our goal has always been to try and make each new album we record our heaviest. That goal was a bit more challenging this time since we were extremely satisfied with our last album 'Kill', but we knew that by working with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios again, we would be able to start at that same level of heaviness and take it even further. Now that we can hear the finished product, I would say we've been able to achieve this goal, and I think our fans will agree. 'Evisceration Plague' has the best guitar sound we've ever recorded, and the entire band has never played with more precision and power. We can't wait until you all get a chance to hear the album in early 2009, because we think you'll be as happy with it as we are."

"Evisceration Plague" track listing:

01. Priests of Sodom
02. Scalding Hail
03. To Decompose
04. A Cauldron of Hate
05. Beheading and Burning
06. Evidence in the Furnace
07. Carnivorous Swarm
08. Evisceration Plague
09. Shatter Their Bones
10. Carrion Sculpted Entity
11. Unnatural
12. Skewered From Ear to Eye

"Evisceration Plague" will be available as a limited-edition digipack including a bonus track and bonus DVD, jewelcase CD and on limited splatter vinyl.

German power metal band NEOSHINE, which features in its ranks 26-year-old guitarist Flo Krause alongside BLIND GUARDIAN drummer Frederik Ehmke and SEVENTH AVENUE vocalist Herbie Langhans, has changed its name to SINBREED. The group's recently recorded debut album, "When Worlds Collide", was produced by Flo Krause, mixed and mastered by Markus Teske (VANDEN PLAS, SYMPHONY X), and it includes guest appearances by Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER) and Morten Sandager (MERCENARY) on keyboards, and COURAGEOUS' Oliver Lohmann on guitar.

SINBREED's brand of power metal is described as a "blistering combination of speed, melodic and aggresive arrangements combined with high and soaring vocals."

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach has issued the following update via his official newsletter, dubbed the "Daily DeBachle":

"My plan in 2009 is to release two CDs, if possible. One will be the CD I am working on with Jeffrey Steele and Vicky McGehee, the team that brought you 'Battle with the Bottle' [the song Bach sang on CMT's hit series, 'Gone Country']. The other CD will be a straight-up, hard-ass rocker, the follow-up to 'Angel Down'. I plan on writing this record with my band, Roy Z ['Angel Down' producer who has worked with JUDAS PRIEST, BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD and HELLOWEEN] hopefully, and definitely Jamey Jasta of the band HATEBREED. Jamey and I are getting together this month to record some demos. I am not going to make a HATEBREED record, I am going to work on material with Jamey that will be heavy and anthemic but still make sense next to the other CDs I have done. I am also planning on releasing a new DVD in 2009. Can't go into the details quite yet, but there will be more high-quality live DVD material coming your way this year, a la 'Roadrage'. Looks like I will be starting work on the new DVD this month.

"Don't get confused by me doing a 'country' album and a 'rock' album at the same time. I have always hated labels. What I have learned over my lifetime is, I don't make decisions for my voice, my voice makes decisions for me. I have to get out of the way of my own voice so it can be heard loud and clear. My only objective in making CDs is to make them 'good.' Hopefully these two new CDs will fall into this category!"

Sebastian Bach's "Angel Down" limited-edition CD/DVD package, featuring "Roadrage", a film by Sebastian Bach, was made available in the USA as an FYE exclusive at all FYE stores nationwide and also at the FYE booth on last summer's tour with POISON. "Roadrage" features five tracks, "100% live, pro-shot" on the 2006 North American GUNS N' ROSES/SEBASTIAN BACH tour.

"Angel Down" was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST), and recorded at Sound City Studios and Under City Studios in Los Angeles, California. Joining Bach in the studio were guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and Johnny Chromatic, Bobby Jarzombek on drums, and Steve DiGiorgio on bass. GUNS N' ROSES' Axl Rose makes a special guest appearance contributing vocals on three of the album's songs — "(Love is a) Bitchslap", a cover of AEROSMITH's "Back In the Saddle" and "Stuck Inside".

Sweden's THE QUILL has issued the following update:

"THE QUILL are — even though it might not look like it — still around. It's true, the last year or so nothing much have happened that could be noticed on the outside, and yes, we've been through a sort of hibernation. But we haven't gave up on the idea of producing a new album and do at least on or two more extensive tours. What's happening right now is that we're recording new songs with new arrangements. That's all that I can say for the time being. I don't mean to be overly secretive, but bear with me; soon there will hopefully come some really serious news about this band that we, the members, love and treasure, and that has so many faithful fans out there. So... be cool and look out for us. We miss you all very much."

THE QUILL in December 2006 recorded a three-song demo in Blomstermåla, Sweden. The tracks "Saved", "Suicide" and "Blow Me (Off The Ground)" were used by the band to try and procure a record deal following THE QUILL's split with SPV.

THE QUILL's fifth album, "In Triumph", was released in April 2006 via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded at Area 51 studios in Celle, Germany with producer Tommy Newton (VICTORY, UFO, HELLOWEEN). The group's video for the song "Broken Man" can be viewed below.

THE QUILL in 2005 announced the addition of bassist Robert Triches to the group's ranks. Triches joined THE QUILL as the replacement for Roger Nilsson (ex-SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, FIREBIRD), who left the band in May 2005 after almost 12 years and four albums.

A new GOD FORBID song entitled "Walk Alone" is available for streaming here. According to the band, this "is an infectious rock/thrash tune, and has some fun guitar solo action going on as well."

"Walk Alone" comes off the New Jersey metal titans' new album, "Earthsblood", which is scheduled for release on February 24 in the U.S. and February 16 in Europe via Century Media Records.

"Earthsblood" track listing:

01. The Discovery
02. The Rain
03. Empire of the Gun
04. War of Attrition
05. The New Clear
06. Shallow
07. Walk Alone
08. Bat the Angels
09. Earthsblood
10. Gaia (The Vultures)

"Earthsblood" was produced by Eric Rachel (ATREYU) with Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY, THREAT SIGNAL) handling all vocal tracking. The mixing was handled by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH).

CHILDREN OF BODOM's Alexi Laiho, ranked one of the world's best guitarists, has four new Signature Series models introduced at NAMM 2009 from ESP and LTD. The ESP Alexi-Blacky, ESP Alexi-Scythe, LTD Alexi-600-Blacky, and LTD Alexi-600-Scythe will be available from ESP's network of dealers and international distributors.

The ESP Alexi-Blacky and ESP Alexi-Scythe both feature a neck-thru-body design at 25.5" scale, with a light alder body and maple neck with a 24-fret ebony fingerboard. High-end hardware on the models includes Gotoh tuners, an original Floyd Rose bridge, and a single EMG HZ F-H2 pickup. An MM-04 on-off boost switch is also built into the guitar. The Blacky model incorporates a metallic black satin finish with a gloss black stripe and black pearl sawtooth fret marker inlays, while the Scythe model is a white finish with a black pinstripe, and scythe-shaped inlays.

The new LTD versions of the Alexi Laiho Signature Series models offer very similar specifications, only substituting Grover tuners and a 1000 Series Floyd Rose tremolo.

"We've been very fortunate to have a relationship with a guitarist of Alexi's caliber for the last six years," says Allen Steelgrave, ESP's director of marketing and artist relations. "As is the case with all ESP and LTD signature series models, the new guitars are based on the artist's exact specifications, and we've worked closely with Alexi to create these updated versions of his main guitar."

Laiho has worked with ESP on all of his signature model guitars since 2003.

METALLICA has revealed the complete track listing for the upcoming Guitar Hero: Metallica game, which is due out in North America on March 29. It is as follows:

METALLICA tracks:

* All Nightmare Long
* Battery
* Creeping Death
* Disposable Heroes
* Dyers Eve
* Enter Sandman
* Fade To Black
* Fight Fire With Fire
* For Whom The Bell Tolls
* Frantic
* Fuel
* Hit The Lights
* King Nothing
* Master of Puppets
* Mercyful Fate (Medley)
* No Leaf Clover
* Nothing Else Matters
* One
* Orion
* Sad But True
* Seek And Destroy
* The Memory Remains
* The Shortest Straw
* The Thing That Should Not Be
* The Unforgiven
* Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
* Wherever I May Roam
* Whiplash

If you downloaded the "Death Magnetic" album for Xbox and PS3, those ten songs will play in their entirety in the full game mode. PS2 and Wii versions (coming in the spring, most likely in early May) will include "Broken Beat & Scarred", "Cyanide" and "My Apocalypse" since they are not compatible with the "Death Magnetic" downloadable content.

Other artists:

* ALICE IN CHAINS - No Excuses
* BOB SEGER - Turn The Page
* CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Albatross
* DIAMOND HEAD - Am I Evil?
* FOO FIGHTERS - Stacked Actors
* JUDAS PRIEST - Hell Bent For Leather
* KYUSS - Demon Cleaner
* LYNYRD SKYNYRD - Tuesdays Gone
* MACHINE HEAD - Beautiful Mourning
* MASTODON - Blood And Thunder
* MERCYFUL FATE - Evil
* MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - Armed and Ready
* MOTÖRHEAD - Ace of Spades
* QUEEN - Stone Cold Crazy
* SAMHAIN - Mother of Mercy
* SLAYER - War Ensemble
* SOCIAL DISTORTION - Mommy's Little Monster
* SUICIDAL TENDENCIES - War Inside My Head
* SYSTEM OF A DOWN - Toxicity
* THE SWORD - Black River
* THIN LIZZY - The Boys Are Back in Town

RollingStone.com got a sneak preview of Guitar Hero: Metallica, which is only the second in the popular gaming franchise to be based around a specific artist. According to RollingStone.com's report, the game's storyline was conceived by frontman James Hetfield and lets players begin as METALLICA's opening act, eventually getting to play as the members of METALLICA themselves if they can make it that far.

The menu art is done by longtime METALLICA artist Pushead, while the venues and stage sets are taken from all eras of the band's quarter-century career. The virtual band members each do signature moves, from drummer Lars Ulrich popping up from behind his kit to bassist Robert Trujillo's trademark crabwalk across the stage. The members all start out looking like they do today, but can also revert back to younger versions of themselves. Previous bassists Jason Newsted and the late Cliff Burton do not appear in the game.

Trujillo told The Pulse of Radio why he thinks the Guitar Hero franchise is great for music. "I'm not a gamer, but I actually think it's a great thing in the sense that it's helping to educate our youth and older people about rock 'n' roll and heavy metal in particular, you know, bands like IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH, and I think that's important," he said.

The band had to go through an extensive motion-capture process in order to make them come to life in the game, and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett told The Pulse of Radio the final result was a little unsettling. "Once they've actually made a virtual you and you start seeing that virtual you playing METALLICA songs, it's a trip, man," he said. "It's like watching a hologram of yourself or, you know, a cartoon of yourself or whatever. It's strange because it's weird and different but oddly familiar at the same time."

Gameplay is available on vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, with an added skill level for double-bass drumming. There is not, however, an option for two players to play lead and rhythm guitar at the same time, like Hetfield and Hammett do in real life.

The game also comes with bonus features such as live videos, footage of the band being filmed for the game, and archival material from the group's history.

According to Billboard Boxscore, which provides updated concert ticket sales information, neither of METALLICA's two Los Angeles shows in December was a sell-out despite the fact that the band is in the middle of its first American arena tour in four years.

The ticket sales information, according to Billboard Boxscore:

Artist/Event: METALLICA, THE SWORD, MACHINE HEAD
Date: Dec. 17-18, 2008
Venue: The Forum
City/State: Inglewood, California
Gross sales: $2,234,771
Ticket Prices: $82.50, $62.50
Attendance: 34,427
Capacity: 35,067
Number Of Shows: 2
Number Of Sell-Out Shows: 0
Promoter: Live Nation

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich recently told RollingStone.com that the band's massive world tour behind "Death Magnetic" could very well last beyond this year. "We're booked up through August of [2009], and right now we're sort of laying out fall of '09 and the spring of '10," he said. "We're waiting for a few other countries to be actually formalized as nations so we can be the first band in. We're also waiting for the polar caps to stabilize so we can go play there. There's talk about some other planets too."

Regarding the band's first American arena tour in four years, Lars said, "It's great to be back indoors. We're right in the thick of it in the middle of the arena. It completely exposes every nuance and that adds a real tone of vitality and excitement."

Long-running Italian technical death metallers GORY BLISTER will release their new album, "Graveyard of Angels", on April 6 via Mascot Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Skymorphosis" contains nine tracks that "reach a very technical death metal made with old-school anger," according to the band.

The "Graveyard of Angels" artwork can be seen here.

"Skymorphosis" came out in January 2006 via Holland's Mascot Records.

GORY BLISTER's video for the track "Asteroid" (taken from "Skymorphosis") can be viewed here.

A brand new track "Drying Mouths (in a Gasping Land)", taken from the new album of Finnish band CALLISTO, entitled "Providence", is now streaming at the Myspace page.

"Providence" is produced, engineered and mixed by Jonas Olsson and mastered by Svante Forsbäck. The artwork is contributed by Martin Kvamme of Unit Delta Plus.

The tracklist of "Providence" (cover) is as follows:

1. In Session
2. Rule the Blood
3. Covenant Colours
4. Eastern Era
5. New Canaan
6. Stasis
7. Where the Spirits Tread
8. Dead Weight
9. Drying Mouths (in a Gasping Land)
10. Providence

In addition, there will be a gatefold 12" double vinyl released by Svart Records. The release date for both cd and vinyl in Finland is the 18th of February.

The international release dates for the album are as follows:

Sweden 18.2.
Germany 27.3.
Holland 27.3.
Belgium 27.3.
Luxemburg 27.3.
Canada 27.3.
USA tba

"Rethroned", the second album from NORTHERN KINGS — the Finnish band consisting of four well-known metal musicians (Jarkko Ahola [TERÄSBETONI], Marco Hietala [TAROT, NIGHTWISH], Tony Kakko [SONATA ARCTICA], Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto [CHARON]) — will be released in Japan on February 25 via Warner Music Japan. The Japanese version of the CD will include a bonus track — a cover of MICHAEL JACKSON's "They Don't Care About Us".

In other news, NORTHERN KINGS will play at the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest finals in Tampere on January 31. The show will be broadcast live on Finnisn channel YLE TV2. (Note: NORTHERN KINGS is not taking part in the actual competion and is merely performing on the program.)

"Kiss From A Rose", the new video from NORTHERN KINGS, can be viewed below. The song comes off "Rethroned", which came out in Finland on November 19, 2008 via Warner Music Finland. Like its predecessor, the new CD contains metal arrangements of pop and rock classics, including "Wanted Dead Or Alive" from BON JOVI, "Kiss From A Rose" from SEAL, "A View To A Kill" from DURAN DURAN and "Nothing Compares 2 U" from SINEAD O'CONNOR.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Training Montage (Vince DiCola; "Rocky IV" soundtrack) (instrumental) / Wanted Dead Or Alive (BON JOVI) (performed by Marco Hietala)
02. Kiss From A Rose (SEAL)
03. A View To A Kill (DURAN DURAN)
04. Nothing Compares 2 U (SINEAD O'CONNOR) (performed by Tony Kakko)
05. My Way (FRANK SINATRA) (performed by J. Ahola)
06. Strangelove (DEPECHE MODE)
07. Take On Me (A-HA)
08. I Should Be So Lucky (KYLIE MINOGUE) (performed by J.-P. Leppäluoto)
09. Killer (ADAMSKI feat. SEAL)
10. Roisin Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend (THIN LIZZY) (performed by Marco Hietala and J.Ahola)

NORTHERN KINGS' debut album, "Reborn", was certified gold in Finland for sales in excess of 15,000 copies.

"Reborn" was released on October 31, 2007 via Warner Music Finland. The CD contains metal arrangements of '80s hits, including "We Don't Need Another Hero", CUTTING CREW's "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight", PHIL COLLINS' "In The Air Tonight", DIRE STRAITS' "Brothers In Arms", PETER GABRIEL's "Sledgehammer" and DAVID BOWIE's "Ashes To Ashes".

MEMORY GARDEN — the Sweden-based band featuring former ABSKTRAKT ALGEBRA guitarist Simon Johansson — has issued the following update:

"We are very happy to announce that our first full-length album, 'Tides' [originall released in 1996 through Heathendoom Music], will finally be available again. We have received tons of e-mails, letters and questions about why this album isn't released again and until now we have never had any good answer to that question. But now we have... On February 2, Vic Records will release a reissue of this since-long-sold-out masterpiece. The album will contain the entire 'Tides' album, remastered by Mike Wead [KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, FIREGOD, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA, CANDLEMASS], three cool bonus tracks, liner notes from the band telling some anecdotes from the recording and brand new artwork by Peter Sallai, everything inspired by the old artwork… just a little facelift for the re-issue. We do hope you all will love this one…. It's time for some real doom again, folks!!!"

MEMORY GARDEN last year parted ways with guitarist Anders Looström and replaced him with Ante Mäkelä (EVIL CONSPIRACY).

"20 More Miles", the new video from Swedish metallers SOILWORK, can be viewed here. The clip was shot during the band's European tour, including at the Electric Weekend festival in Madrid, where SOILWORK performed with METALLICA. It contains footage provided by the band as well as material that was filmed by Olle Carlsson.

SOILWORK's North American tour with DARKANE, WARBRINGER and SWALLOW THE SUN will kick off on January 30 in Rochester, New York. (Note: DAYLIGHT DIES will appear on the first 10 shows instead of WARBRINGER.)

Listenable Records has announced plans to re-release the classic first albums from SOILWORK. "Steelbath Suicide" (1998) and "The Chainheart Machine" (1999) will be reissued in deluxe super jewelcases with revamped artwork and contain various bonus tracks. Out of print for a while, these re-releases are a "must-have for any SOILWORK fan who missed the originals while the various bonus materials make it worth for die-hard fans to get these gems again," the label says in a press release.

SOILWORK was rejoined by guitarist Peter Wichers last year.

"Montreal Assault Live", the new DVD from Montreal extreme metallers DESPISED ICON, has been postponed "due to manufacturing delays." Originally scheduled for release on January 27, the disc features a "stellar" multi-camera shoot from the band's sold-out hometown show, alongside a new hour-long documentary and all of the band's promotional video clips.

A live version of the track "The Sun Will Never Charm Us" taken from the forthcoming DVD is available for vieweing below.

Commented vocalist Alex Erian: "The live mix sounds so massive. It was done by none other than our former guitarist Yannick St-Amand. You can even listen to it in 5.1 Surround. Our buddy Felix also created some of his sickest artwork yet. The shooting and editing of the show went awesome. David Brodsky (IN THIS MOMENT, UNEARTH) and his team captured tons of adrenaline-packed moments. The DVD also includes a new hour-long documentary by Reconstructed Media that retraces the band's career, showing never-before-seen footage of us living on the road, hanging out, partying, recording, playing shows back in the day and more."

Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based female-fronted band THE AGONIST has posted two tracks from its forthcoming second album, "Lullabies For A Dormant Mind", on the group's MySpace page. Check out "The Tempest" and "Martyr Art" at this location.

Due in Europe on February 23 and in North America on March 10 through Century Media Records, the CD will feature the following track listing:

01. The Tempest (The Siren's Song; The Banshee's Cry)
02. ...And Their Eulogies Sang Me To Sleep
03. Thank You, Pain
04. Birds Elope With The Sun
05. Waiting Out The Winter
06. Martyr Art
07. Globus Hystericus
08. Swan Lake, Op. 20 – Scene, Act 2, #10 – Tchaikovsky (A Cappella)
09. The Sentient
10. When The Bough Breaks
11. Chlorpromazine

The a cappella version of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" is only one example of the band’s musical abilities as it impressively exhibits Alissa White-Gluz's mind-blowingly wide range of vocal skills and professionalism as a singer. Produced by Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, MYTHOSIS), "Lullabies for the Dormant Mind" exposes new facets of the band and touches upon classical, jazz, opera, grindcore, thrash and black metal influences in a complete metal opus. Featuring guest violins by Avi Ludmer (MAHOGANY RUSH), orchestrations by classical pianists Melina Soochan and Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc (BLACKGUARD) along with many other Montreal-based contributors, this album is refreshing to hear upon every listen. Following a dark, twisted yet beautiful, surrealist visual concept from Natalie Shau once again, THE AGONIST have created an uncomfortable yet addictive setting for their metal, like being awoken from a bad dream, or falling asleep to escape a nightmarish reality.

"Voodoo", the new video from Swedish heavy metallers WOLF, can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Umeå, Sweden with director Owe Lingwall of Village Road Film, who previously worked with WOLF on the video for the track "I Will Kill Again".

Commented the band: "Both the song and the video has that dark imagery that WOLF fans know and love. Having these brilliant voodoo kids in the video along with the spiders and other creatures of the night, we think we really hit the spot with this one. Working with Owe Lingwall again was also a delight. We really love how it turned out and we can't wait to bring this song to our live set."

"Voodoo" comes off WOLF's new album, "Ravenous", which will be released via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, February 20
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, February 24
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, February 25
Rest Of Europe: Monday, February 23
USA: Tuesday, March 24

The CD features a guest guitar solo by Hank Shermann (FORCE OF EVIL, MERCYFUL FATE) and guest vocals by Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT).

For the fierce and bloody artwork, the band once again decided to work with its longtime cover artist Thomas Holm (MERCYFUL FATE).

"He has the ability to 'paint our music' and that's something we're not gonna pass up on," WOLF explained.

NEW YORK DOLLS are reportedly putting the finishing touches on the recordings for their new album with legendary producer Todd Rundgren and are scheduled to begin mixing next week. The CD, which is being tracked at Rundgren's studio on the island of Kauai, marks the first time the two have collaborated in 36 years since Rundgren originally produced the NEW YORK DOLLS' eponymous debut album, "New York Dolls". Rundgren was reunited with DOLLS founding members David Johansen (vocals) and Sylvain Sylvain (guitar, vocals).

"We're really excited to be working with Todd again," David Johansen previously said. "We're hoping to recapture the same magic on the forthcoming album."

The album, which is yet untitled, will be released on the Atco label through Warner Brothers. The Atco label has been specially re-launched. The NEW YORK DOLLS are one of the first signings to the label. The DOLLS will follow the release of the new album with a world tour later in the year.