DEAD BY APRIL, the Swedish "pop/metal" act featuring former members of NIGHTRAGE, BY NIGHT, EVILDOER, MINDFALL and DEATHDESTRUCTION, has issued the following update:

"We are heading for Stockholm and are entering the studio next week to proceed with recording the long-awaited [debut DEAD BY APRIL] album. We are really stoked and I can tell you that it IS going to be a monster! Some new and unheard killer songs that we have been really just dying to show you guys mixed with some perfected versions of the best demo songs will make an album that have our whole spectra of our music!"

DEAD BY APRIL's first album is being produced by Henrik Edenhed, who has previously worked with ROBYN, LAMBRETTA, TEDDYBEARS, CHRISTIAN WALTZ and THE SOUNDS. A spring/summer release via Universal Music Sweden is expected.

According to the group's official bio, "DEAD BY APRIL is a collaboration between some free-spirited, like-minded musicians. It has evolved from just being a project to a full-time band in a very short amount of time."

Austrian death metallers MASTIC SCUM will enter the studio in February to begin recording their fourth album for a late spring/early summer release via Cudgel Agency. According to the band, "The new material is fucking exciting and heavy as fuck: shredding mosh grooves and grinding blast attacks. We continued to refine the songs over and over again. Never before have we spent so much time in songwriting and never before have we put so much energy in our new material."

The CD will contain 12 tracks, including "Construcdead", "The Sufferage", "Dead Remains", "The Consciousness In A State Of Mind" and "Extinction".

In 2007, MASTIC SCUM celebrated its 15th anniversary by issung "The EPs Collection 1993-2002" via Power It Up/Twilight. This CD includes all of the band's vinyl releases plus two bonus tracks. This was MASTIC SCUM's 17th release since the band's inception in 1992.

World Entertainment News Network reports that SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor plans on taking a break from performing with the two bands so he can put out a solo album.

Taylor wants to release an LP of his own material and has even built up a catalog of over 40 songs under consideration for the project.

He says, "It's something that I'd like to do purely for myself. It's something that I need to release before I can think about moving on to anything else... In both SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR I'm slightly limited to how I can write and indeed what I can write about. The beauty of doing a solo album is that I can write whatever type of song I want."

SLIPKNOT's latest album, "All Hope Is Gone", was officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 9, 2008 for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the LP has shifted 641,000 units in the United States since its August 26 release.

"All Hope Is Gone" claimed the coveted No. 1 debut slot on Billboard's Top 200 chart, after an extraordinary SoundScan recount. The album was initially announced on September 3 as a No. 2 debut, a mere 13 units behind THE GAME's No. 1 debut, marking the closest margin in SoundScan history. The chart positions resulted from a reported 238,272 copies of "All Hope Is Gone" its first week in stores, while THE GAME's "LAX" reported 238,285. With such an unprecedented margin, Roadrunner Records and WEA requested an historic recount. SoundScan obliged and chart positions were reversed, with SLIPKNOT claiming No. 1 and a new margin of 1,134 albums.

"That was incredible," Corey Taylor told Scotland's The Daily Record about the chart-topping feat. "I still have moments where I ask myself if that really happened. "Obviously, when you get in a business like this, it's the goal to get to the top. But we had to call a recount for it because all the numbers weren't in and they originally had THE GAME at No. 1. But there was only a difference of 12 CDs. Our label, Roadrunner, called the recount and it turned out we were No. 1 by 1,200 CDs. We got the the top spot but we had to earn it. Unlike most people, we had to go through the crazy job of finding out if we were No. 1."

Greek old-school thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS have issued the following update:

"As it is now confirmed, we can announce that everything's set for the recording of the second SUICIDAL ANGELS album. Recordings will be held at Prophecy and Music Factory Studios in Germany, under the direction of producer R.D. Liapakis, who, as many might know, is an accomplished fellow Greek musician and recording engineer, lead singer of the heavy metal group MYSTIC PROPHECY.

"The yet-untitled record will contain nine tracks of pure thrash metal, which we can't wait to play live, by the way! It will be recorded in March and released (hopefully) later in 2009. One of the songs, 'Jesus Lies', has already been performed live in various occasions and can also be heard through our upcoming DVD, 'Live Domination', the production of which has been unfortunately hampered by some artwork issues that will very soon be resolved. This song will give you an idea of the straight-in-your-face approach we have adopted while writing new material that we hope you like.

"So everything's rolling and March draws near! Moreover, the plans for a 2009 European tour are in motion, many shows have already been confirmed and we can't wait to see you all again and have a hell of a time. More on our upcoming tour will be posted soon, as the final details will be worked out early in 2009."

SUICIDAL ANGELS recently struck up a deal with OSM Records for the release of its new DVD, "Live Domination". The disc, which was filmed in May 2008 concert in Athens, will be made available in early 2009. According to the band, "the DVD will feature the whole show and 100% live sound. No overdubs whatsoever! It will also feature our two video clips off 'Eternal Domination' and a full band biography.

"Though we feel quite confident about picture and sound, we certainly don't pretend that our self-financed release meets the highest quality criteria. Therefore expect the price to be substantially low, compared to major band DVD releases. We certainly do not wish to rip anyone off!

"The front cover of the DVD package, designed by George 'Grin' Prasinis, [can be viewed below]. George has designed almost all SUICIDAL ANGELS artwork to date and we believe he once again did a killer job. We hope you like it as well!"

San Jose, California-based metallers IMAGIKA have parted ways with guitarist Corey Krick. The remaning members of the group said in a statement, "Almost a year after joining the band, Corey has left to pursue other ventures. No B.S. or hard feelings involved — just a realization that both parties where coming from a different musical direction. We wish him all the best! Interested guitarist can send us a pic and samples of your playing to imagika6@gmail.com. Please be on pro level with lead and rhythm capabilities."

IMAGIKA added, "The band currently has written and demoed new material for our label to see if we still have a deal...and you never really know these days, so we should hit the studio in the summer. As usual, [the songs have] tons of diversity and [are] heavy as hell!"

IMAGIKA's latest album, "Feast for the Hated" was released in the U.S. on May 20, 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD was mixed at Sweden's Sonic Train Studio with Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND guitarist)

Swedish doom metal band ISOLE has completed work on its new album, "Silent Ruins", at the group's own Studio Apocalypse for a late February/early March release via Napalm Records. According to a press release, "ISOLE makes use of clean vocals, slo-mo grooves, and melodies in the minor keys. Fans of CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETERNUS, or early ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE will not be disappointed."

"Silent Ruins" track listing:

01. From the Dark (mp3 sample)
02. Forlorn
03. Nightfall
04. Hollow Shrine (mp3 sample)
05. Soulscarred
06. Peccatum
07. Dark Clouds

According to a press release, "Silent Ruins" "continues to forge forth in the tradition of [ISOLE's] previous albums. The Swedes once again indulge in their heart-sickened and somber brand of doom metal that only finds solace in a perfectly placed portion of deadly black epic. Profound compositions, hypnotic arrangements, and heavy flowing riffs, that not unlike molten lava slowly yet inexorably pull the listener down into its depths, are the core elements comprising this album. Gustavo Sazes (FIREWIND, SERENITY) once again lends his artistic know-how to graphically convey a feeling of utter despair and isolation, while Peter In de Betou (AMON AMARTH, DRACONIAN, ARCH ENEMY) takes on the darkly work's mastering responsibilites. Rarely before have hopelessness and despair found such an elegant and becoming sound, making 'Silent Ruins' a dark jewel that will not only appeal to the die-hard doom metal fan."

Release dates set for "Silent Ruins":

Feb. 25 - Finland
Feb. 27 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden
Mar. 2 - Rest of Europe
Mar. 3 - USA, Canada

San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans DEATH ANGEL have announced the addition of bassist Sammy Diosdado to the group's ranks. Sammy is a Bay Area native who previously played with the San Francisco hardcore band THE SICK and is a member of the rock and roll outfit ALL TIME HIGHS which is fronted by DEATH ANGEL singer Mark Osegueda. With his in-your-face punk assault on bass and on stage, he was the perfect fit to fill the shoes of former bassist and founding member Dennis Pepa.

Commented Osegueda: "I could not be more thrilled! People in the Bay Area who have seen Sammy on stage know what I'm talking about, and now it is time for the rest of the world to see! Sammy just plain ROCKS! So I urge all DEATH ANGEL fans to welcome Sammy to the DEATH ANGEL family, and come see us live when we come to your town that will be all the convincing you will need that we made the right choice!!!"

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has issued the following update:

"It's time for some 2008 'Angel Down Round The World Tour' highlights!! Here is where I will post exclusive videos from the 2008 tour shot personally by myself or the road crew! You got the best seat in the house! First up is 'Youth Gone Wild' live at Blossom Music Center in Cleveland, Ohio [filmed on August 14, 2008 during Bach's tour with POISON]! CLEVELAND ROCKS! Hey, you knew that!"

Watch the video below.

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 the POISON tour. "Roadrage" features five tracks, "100% live, pro-shot" on the 2006 North American GUNS N' ROSES/SEBASTIAN BACH tour.

Cleveland's CHIMAIRA has finished mastering the band's new album, "The Infection", at Sterling Sound in New York City with Ted Jensen and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, TERROR, THE ACACIA STRAIN). "Sonically, this album sounds amazing," vocalist Mark Hunter writes on the group's web site. "Ben [Schigel, producer], Zeuss [who mixed the CD] and Ted did an amazing job making our vision come to reality. The album has exceeded everyone in this band's expectations. Now we all get to play the game 'hurry up and wait' as we won't be posting a new track for a little bit because our record labels (yes, I said labels) need to listen to the album and hear the songs before you guys. I trust you understand. After all, they did pay for us to record them; it's only fair they get first dibs."

Behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the video for "The Path To Decay", the new single from the Norwegian/Spanish female-fronted gothic metal band SIRENIA, can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company. Guitarist Morten Veland said, "We are very satisfied with the end result and [are excited] to share the video with all of you."

"The 13th Floor", the new album from SIRENIA, is available for streaming in its entirety on the group's MySpace page.

"The 13th Floor" will be released on January 23 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was tracked at Sound Suite Studios in France and Stargoth Studios in Norway while the mixing and mastering sessions took place at the Antfarm Studios in Denmark with Tue Madsen. The group says, "Expect a melodic and powerful album in the typical SIRENIA vein. The album features guest appearances by Jan Kenneth Barkved (who also did some guest appearances on our debut, 'At Sixes and Sevens'), French violin player Stephanie Valentin adds to the sound along with the Sirenian choir that has been an important part of our sound since the very beginning."

"The 13th Floor" track listing:

01. The Path To Decay
02. Lost In Life
03. The Mind Maelstrom
04. The Seventh Summer
05. Beyond Life's Scenery
06. The Lucid Door
07. Led Astray
08. Winterborn 77
09. Sirens Of The Seven Seas

Veteran Massachusetts metallers MELIAH RAGE have set "Masquerade" as the title of their new album, due later in the year via Screaming Ferret/Metro City Records. The CD was recorded at The Outpost in Stoughton, Massachusetts and was mastered at the end of November by producer Rich Spillberg (WARGASM), who has worked with everyone from STEEL ASSASSIN to JOSH GROBAN. According to the group, "The music on the record is much faster and heavier than the past few records and will feature a guest appearance by METAL CHURCH frontman Ronny Munroe."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Lost Or Found (7:57)
02. Chosen (6:15)
03. History Will Tell (6:47)
04. Dreamer (5:09)
05. Seeker (6:58)
06. Hour Glass (5:06)
07. Masquerade (6:00)
08. Last Rites (4:56) (feat. Ronny Munroe)
09. Whatever It Takes (7:32)

MELIAH RAGE this past summer announced the return of the band's
original frontman, Mike Munro.

After singer Paul Souza exited the band late last year, a six-month search for a suitable replacement began, which led to a dead end. That is, until producer Rich Spillberg suggested that they contact Munro and get back to their roots.

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett makes a guest appearance on the second album from the Somali-Canadian poet and musician K'naan (born Kanaan Warsame). Due on February 24, "Troubadour" was recorded at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica. Other guest musicians appearing on the CD include MAROON 5's Adam Levine, Chubb Rock, Damian Marley, Mos Def and JURASSIC 5's Chali Tuna.

Speaking to Spinner.com recently, K'naan stated about Hammett's involvement, "I met him at Bonnaroo and he was such a nice man, a cool dude. Stephen Marley introduced us. So I though I wanted to have another version of this song on this album, to kind of constantly affect the genre-hopping. I thought, 'What could be better than having him on a great guitar solo?'"

"Troubadour" track listing (not final sequence):

01. ABC's (feat. Chubb Rock)
02. America (feat. Mos Def & Chali Tuna)
03. Bang Bang (feat. Adam Levine)
04. Dreamer
05. Fatima
06. Fire In Freetown
07. 15 Minutes Away
08. I Come Prepared (feat. Damian Marley)
09. If Rap Gets Jealous (feat. Kirk Hammett)
10. People Like Me
11. Take A Minute
12. Somalia
13. T.I.A.
14. Waiving Flag

Guitarist Glen Alvelais has left reactivated San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN amd has been replaced by Steve Smyth (TESTAMENT, NEVERMORE).

Commented Glen: "Back in October of 2008, I felt it better to remove myself from the business part of the band with the hopes I could go forward playing live shows and giving the fans what they want, I wanted to put the 'Evil' back in FORBIDDEN.

"I had a lot of fun seeing the smiling faces as they sang the words to 'Eyes Of Glass' and 'Chalice Of Blood', but could no longer take all the accusations and distrust that came with our so-called chemistry.

"I'm looking forward to the release of my new band TENET's CD release. This is the heaviness that I was seeking from a band. Not to say that the new FORBIDDEN CD will not be good, just not heavy enough for my taste buds. How could it get any heavier than the line up of Jed Simon [STRAPPING YOUNG LAD], Zetro Souza [EXODUS], Gene Hoglan [STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, TESTAMENT], Byron Stroud [STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY] and myself?

"I would like to say good luck to all the FORBIDDEN guys and their new guitarist Steve Smyth. Let's hear another 'Forbidden Evil' or 'Twisted Into Form' CD."

FORBIDDEN was rejoined by drummer Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS) for a couple of songs during the band September 12 Slim's concert in San Francisco. It was the first time in over 15 years that the all-original FORBIDDEN EVIL (pre-FORBIDDEN) lineup played together.

FORBIDDEN's new drummer is Mark Hernandez, who has previously played with HEATHEN, DEFIANCE, RE:IGNITION, VIO-LENCE, TORQUE, TECHNOCRACY and SOCIAL UNREST.

Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS have set "Death Magic Doom" as the title of their new album, due on March 27 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track listing 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

Four audio snippets from the CD — "Hammer Of Doom", "If I Ever Die", "Demon Of The Deep" and "Funeral Dreams" — have been posted on the MySpace page of the European branch of Nuclear Blast Records. They will be available online until January 10.

German thrash metal veterans KREATOR are putting the finishing touches on their new video for the title track of their forthcoming album, "Hordes Of Chaos". The clip was shot on November 2 in Berlin, Germany with director Jörn Heitmann (RAMMSTEIN), who has also worked on the band's video for the song "Enemy Of God".

KREATOR guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza told HeadbangersBlog.com about the clip: "It's a little cliché, of course. It's a sword-and-sorcery, 'Conan the Barbarian 300' kind of thing, but it's pretty brutal and I think it's fun. I really like the director and I think he did a good job. It was hard for him, but for us it was easy, because our part took only two ours. But we had to wait a lot because they had to shoot these fighting scenes the whole day. So, we worked for two hours and waited for eight.

"In the video there's a pile of dead people on the ground and we're in the middle of them. Of course, they weren't really dead, but it still felt kind of strange to be between all these people lying on the ground on this hill and it was kind of funny, too because they were there pretending to be dead and we had to perform above them while they just lay there. But they did a great job and I'm really happy."

Swedish Viking metallers AMON AMARTH will have their first four albums reissued in 2009. The series will kick off with "Once Sent From A Golden Hall", which will be released on February 27 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and March 2 in the rest of Europe as a double-popup-digipak featuring two discs. Disc one features the entire "Once Sent From A Golden Hall" album remastered plus the bonus track "Siegreicher Marsch" (German version of "Victorious March"). Disc two features the live recording of the show AMON AMARTH played on December 28, 2008 in Bochum, Germany where they played the album in its entirety. The order of songs is the same as on disc one (excluding "Siegreicher Marsch").

This reissue (and all the other ones that will follow later in the year) will be released as an eight-sided double-figipak with individual pop-up. All four pop-ups attached to each other will show a special three-dimensional pic! The reissue also features liner notes by the band and will be released for the price of a regular CD.

"Once Sent From A Golden Hall" reissue track listing:

01. Ride For Vengeance
02. The Dragons´ Flight Across The Waves
03. Without Fear
04. Victorious March
05. Friends Of The Suncross
06. Abandoned
07. Amon Amarth
08. Once Sent From The Golden Hall
09. Siegreicher Marsch (German version of "Victorious March")

German extreme metallers NEAERA have finished writing material for their as-yet-untitled new album. The band will enter Rape of Harmonies studio (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MAROON) in Triptis, Germany on Monday, January 12 with producer Alexander Dietz (HEAVEN SHALL BURN) to begin recording the CD for a May 22 release in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy; and May 25 in the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records. The LP will be mixed and mastered by American producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, TERROR, THE ACACIA STRAIN).

In other news, NEAERA has extended its worldwide record deal with Metal Blade for another three albums. The signing of the contract took place after the band's show in Karlsruhe, Germany on December 28.

Reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX — Martin van Drunen (vocals), Wannes Gubbels (bass/vocals), Paul Baayens (guitar) and Bob Bagchus (drums) — has issued the following update:

"Great news at the beginning of 2009! In August 2008, ASPHYX was recording six songs some kind of instrumental pre-production/demo just to try things out. It turned out that great that we have decided to use the recorded tracks for the new album. ASPHYX added meanwhile four newer songs. All guitars, bass and drums are already 'on tape'. Martin van Drunen will put his Voice of Hell on the (t)rack this month. The tracks are raw, no-nonsense brutal, doomy and intense as you can expect from ASPHYX. As a bonus, the new album will include a live DVD of the Party.San show [from] 2007, the first reunion show of the band. Bass player Wannes and Lowlifemedia are ready with editing DVD recordings. Tracklist and artwork will be postponed soon. There's no release date yet."

IN FLAMES was honored with the "Best Hard Rock" award at the Swedish "Grammis" gala, which was last night (Wednesday, January 7) at Hovet in Stockholm. The band also performed the song "Alias" during the ceremony, which was broadcast live on Swedish national channel TV4.

The artists were nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2008.

The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock" category were as follows:

* IN FLAMES - "A Sense Of Purpose"
* MESHUGGAH - "obZen"
* MILLENCOLIN - "Machine 15"
* OPETH – "Watershed"
* SABATON - "The Art Of War"

Commented OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt:

"OPETH = losers!

"Haha, no I'm not that bitter!

"We didn't win the Grammy award this year either and I admit I got a little disappointed although it doesn't really mean anything. Since I'm there at the show I wanna fucking win! But IN FLAMES got it. They're mates of ours so I'm happy for them.

"I wanna thank all of you who voted for us. Cheers people!

"The show was boring as usual, all the same people, same winners, same 'surprise' band constellations. Some artists there really have high thoughts of themselves. It's quite embarrassing to see how stuck up some of them are. I mean they don't even have a international career most of them and still they act they're the fucking 'deal.'

"I got completely obliterated on wine and champagne...and beer. My wife too, she got all fucked up. But we had a pretty good time during dinner, chatting and drinking away. The after-party was at a classic place called Berns and it was packed. We didn't stay for long though.

"OK, just letting you know we fucking LOST!"

Guitarist Jonas Khalil has left the German death metal band DISBELIEF. He explained in a statement, "We decided to part ways due to problems regarding our schedules. As a professional (classical) musician, I cannot allow myself to focus only on one project but instead have to be able to do any projects, like orchestral jobs, solo recitals, etc., that I am being offered at any time. I also would like to underline there's no personal differences and whenever the guys should need me to fill in on stage, they can count on me.

"I would like to wish my buddies Jagger, Joe, Kai and Witali all the best for the recordings and promotion to their next album, 'Protected Hell', out this April 17!

"My own website, www.jonaskhalil.com, as well as a new music MySpace profile will be online soon! Moreover, I'm ready to enter stages with SACRED STEEL this year in order to celebrate our new record, 'Carnage Victory' (no release date set yet)!! So I'll see ya all very soon!"

Los Angeles-based metal quartet STATIC-X has finalized the track listing for its new album, "Cult of Static", due on March 17 via Reprise Records. The CD's first single, "Stingwray", hits airwaves February 14. The track was inspired by Wayne Static's wife, former adult film star Tera Wray, and the Corvette Stingray she drives. The song's powerful beats and heavy guitar riffs make this song a commanding force on the record. Elsehwere on the album, 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. Frontman Wayne Static riffs pure violence and screams out his soul.

"Over the years my voice has been destroyed from excessive touring... and I love it," exclaims Static. "The vocals on the new record are raw and brutal."

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

"Love Dump", the new video from STATIC-X, can be viewed below. The clip comes off group's new DVD and CD, "Cannibal Killers Live", which was released on October 14, 2008 via Reprise Records. The DVD was shot during a show in Spokane, Washington on June 2, 2007, shortly after the release of the band's latest studio album, "Cannibal". The 17-song set compiled from the tour includes material from STATIC-X's entire 14-year career, showcasing old favorites like "Push It" and "Bled For Days", along with newer songs from "Cannibal", like the album single "Destroyer" and everything in between. A complete video history is also included in the special package, with every video STATIC-X has ever made, along with an audio CD of the concert (track listing below). In addition, a limited-edition package was released that includes a bonus DVD featuring the band's 1997 concert at Hollywood's famous Whiskey A Go-Go club, which was recorded two years prior to the release of STATIC-X's platinum-selling debut "Wisconsin Death Trip".

Dutch female-fronted metallers AUTUMN have posted a complete new song, "Skydancer", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's fourth studio album, "Altitude", which will be released on February 13 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy) and February 27 (rest of Europe) via Metal Blade Records. The limited first edition will be made available as a digipak including an exclusive bonus track.

The artwork for "Altitude" can be viewed below. The CD was recorded at Arno Krabman's Graveland Studio and was mixed and mastered
by Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES) at Split Second Sound.

Commented the band: "The cover more or less depicts the peak of our civilization. These are the works of man, who has performed so many technological and scientific miracles in such a small amount of time. But confusion lurks. The balance is obviously shifting for the worse. It takes courage to step back and pursue happiness and prosperity through means less hazardous to our environment. Yet the man in his flying contraption does just that. He is vulnerable... and flying at high altitudes was never without peril."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Paradise Nox
02. Liquid Under Film Noir
03. Skydancer
04. Synchro-Minds
05. The Heart Demands
06. A Minor Dance
07. Cascade (For A Day)
08. Horizon Line
09. Sulphur Rodents
10. Answers Never Questioned
11. Altitude

Bonus track:

12. Closure

Commented bassist Jerome Vrielink: "This was the first time we did a lot of the recording (most of the vocals and the DI tracks for guitars and bass) at home so the precious studio time could be spent to lift everything to an even higher level in terms of sound and production. It was hard work, but definitely worth it! Needless to say, we are very proud of the end result!"

U.K. melodic power metal band POWER QUEST has issued the following update:

"Unfortunately, we have to begin 2009 with some sad news. Bassist Steve Scott has decided to make his move to New Zealand a permanent one and as a result has decided it is time for him to leave POWER QUEST. We are all very sorry to see him go but wish him all the best in his new life in New Zealand."

Steve Scott commented: "Well, it's been almost 10 years with DRAGON HEART (now DRAGONFORCE) and then POWER QUEST playing alongside keyboard legend Steve Williams. Looking back over those years, it has been a fabulous time both recording and touring. Too many funny stories, as usual, from the tours to go into, but maybe I'll write a book or bring out a DVD with it all. I would like to thank the guys in the band and management for the great times we have had and I wish them all the best with the future tours and recordings. Life is so sweet here Down Under that it just makes damn good sense to me and to the band to pass the 'torch' of power metal bass playing over to someone else... someone who lives a bit closer than the other side of the world... so the quest goes on."

POWER QUEST keyboardist Steve Williams added: "Well, it is the end of an era, for sure. Having formed the band with Steve back in 2001, and having played together since 1999, it will certainly be strange not having him alongside us. As you can tell, Steve seems totally happy with his life in New Zealand and that's a cool thing. Thanks for everything over the years, dude; we're gonna miss ya!"

POWER QUEST will begin the search for a new bass player immediately. Ideally the band is looking for someone based in the U.K.

Interested parties can contact SteveW@power-quest.co.uk or send a package to:

Power Quest
115 Vine Road
Southampton
Hampshire
SO16 5TD
UK

POWER QUEST has a busy year ahead, including recording, live shows and a trip to the USA.

Santa Barbara, California's DEVILDRIVER, the group fronted by former COAL CHAMBER singer Dez Fafara, has re-signed with Roadrunner Records after previously issuing three full-length albums through the label. In addition, the band has secured a new management company in the shape of Davis Entertainment Group.

DEVILDRIVER has commenced work on the follow-up to 2007's "The Last Kind Words", which has sold 70,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That CD shifted a little more than 14,000 copies during its first week of release to debut at No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart. This figure represented around a 40 percent increase over the opening-week number of 2005's "The Fury of Our Maker's Hand", which premiered at No. 177 with sales of 10,400.

German melodic metallers EDGUY will release their long-awaited new DVD, "Fucking With Fire - Live", in April via Nuclear Blast. The footage was shot on November 3, 2006 at the Credicard Hall in São Paulo, Brazil and "presents a mind-blowing performance of Tobias Sammet [vocals] and his team," according to a press release. "More than 100 minutes including all hymns, as well as lots of bonus material featuring all video clips, road movies and interviews. Besides the DVD, there will be also a double live CD, separate, as well as part of a noble package along with the DVD."

"Tinnitus Sanctus", the new album from EDGUY, has registered the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #19
Austria: #50

King Diamond (real name: Kim Bendix Petersen; KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) has released a statement in response to an article that was published late last month on the Danish web site BT.dk which focused primarily on King's relationship with his 24-year-old Hungarian wife Livia Zita.

King, who is 52 years old, says: "I'm writing this in order to set the facts straight with regards to the interview I did for a Danish newspaper just before Christmas.

"When I read the article it became obvious that this particular journalist had an agenda of his own. At least half the article was false, twisting the facts to suit his 'agenda.'

"First of all, Livia and I have no plans for having kids in the near future. We certainly love kids but it doesn't fit in our working schedule at this point. I don't know where the journalist got this thing from, but we do appreciate all the nice words you had regarding this subject even though it's not true. Also, Livia and I do not look forward to Christmas like little kids every year. It's a cozy time, sure, but again the journalist's choice of words are completely twisted.

"Just for your info, the Christmas tree in the picture [see below] is THE ONLY Christmas decoration inside or outside our house and it stays up year round cause I don't want to bother taking it down and it looks pretty cool. Check the goat skull right next to the tree. I can see that if I open the door to my private life just a tiny bit, things quickly get twisted out of context, and that's why in the past I have always kept my private life and business very separate.

"The second rumour that's floating around, which is that MERCYFUL FATE has started writing new material, I really have no idea where it originated from.

"The present status of MERCYFUL FATE remains unchanged, meaning that we have not started writing new material. For that to happen, MERCYFUL FATE's recording contracts have to be renegotiated first. We certainly would love for this to happen so that we can finally make our long-overdue 'masterpiece.' Both Hank [Shermann, MERCYFUL FATE guitarist] and I are ready to go if that scenario presents itself, and who knows, that might happen this year.

"So... for this year, you will see a double DVD of old private KING DIAMOND video recordings and a double DVD of old private MERCYFUL FATE video recordings which I am working on as we speak. Andy [La Rocque, KING DIAMOND guitarist] has finished remastering 'The Graveyard', 'Spider's Lullabye', 'Voodoo', and 'House of God', all of which should also be available this year. And then there is 'the big surprise' (not little King babies with horns on their foreheads or MERCYFUL FATE writing new songs, at least not as we speak) but something that could lead to renegotiations of the MERCYFUL FATE recording deals. We'll see. Be patient.....

"On a personal note, I do feel reasonably confident that the MERCYFUL FATE masterpiece will see the light of day."

TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy has commented on his appearance at the "Christmas Metal Symphony" show, which was held December 28, 2008 at 013, Tilburg, Holland.

The concert included appearances by such renowned hard rock and heavy metal artists as Doro Pesch, Chuck Billy, Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Mats Levén (THERION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Johan Edlund (TIAMAT), Ian Parry (CONSORTIUM PROJECT, ELEGY), Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION, AYREON), Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER) and George Oosthoek (ORPHANAGE). They were backed by a six-piece band and a 30-piece classical orchestra as they performed the finest metal songs of all time. This unique show contained songs from all metal genres — from prog-metal to rock, from death to speed and from industrial to symphonic.

The backing band consisted of the following musicians:

Koen Herfst (EPICA) - Drums
Marcel Coenen (SUN CAGED) - Guitar
Johan Van Stratum (STREAM OF PASSION) - Bass
Frank Schiphorst (CONTROL HUMAN DELETE) - Guitar
Jeffrey Revet (STREAM OF PASSION) - Keyboards
Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER) – Keyboards

Billy commented on the performance: "It was a challenge I've wanted to pursue for a long time, since I've never had the opportunity to sing with an orchestra. The songs took a new life with them. The arrangements they came up with were really spooky and eerie. When I did the first rehearsal, I wanted to pay attention to the music ahead of the performance. It was so cool sounding, I was blown away. It's definitely something I would like to try more with TESTAMENT."

Reactivated Christian hard rockers STRYPER have released more audio samples from their forthcoming album, "Murder By Pride". Check them out below. (Note: YouTube clip "Part 3" contains the three most recent audio samples.)

"Murder By Pride" track listing:

01. Eclipse Of The Son (4:04)
02. 4 Leaf Clover (3:42)
03. Peace Of Mind (3:58)
04. Alive (3:36)
05. The Plan (3:10)
06. Murder By Pride ((3:18)
07. I Believe (3:43)
08. Run In You (4:15)
09. Love Is Why (4:07)
10. Mercy Over Blame (4:07)
11. Everything (4:26)
12. My Love (3:14)

Commented singer Michael Sweet: "After years of speaking to fans and hearing comments like 'more guitars,' 'more solos' and 'more screams,' I decided to keep those comments in mind as I wrote each song. It was important to me to try to get back to that early sound of STRYPER yet at the same time, to remain relevant today. It's certainly not an easy thing to do but as I listen to 'Murder By Pride', I think that was accomplished.

"I got the idea of the title 'Murder By Pride' from seeing pride consume dreams, goals and many times, lives. We all deal with pride and it can be crippling, so I wanted to write a lyric and a theme that would be a constant reminder of that. This record has been in the works for a long, long time and I can only hope that it was worth the wait!"

STRYPER - "Murder By Pride" audio samples:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3