NIGHTSHADE, the new project featuring former USURPER guitarist Rick Scythe, will record a new EP in early 2009. According to the band, "We will record two new songs in the next couple weeks entitled 'Mount Misery' and 'The Iron Witch'. We will record two or three songs shortly after that and try to get all the songs available online by March of 2009."

NIGHTSHADE's debut album, "Autumnal Equinox" (cover), will be officially released in January through Sempiternal Productions. It will be made available as a 13-song full-length CD plus DVD complete with promo videos, a photo gallery, interviews and more.

NIGHTSHADE recently parted ways with Dan Yell (keyboards, organ) and Naught Norty (bass) and replaced them with Donna and Dan Geist, respectively. According to the band, "Dan Geist is a local bass player who has been supporting the Chicago scene for many years. He was recommended by drummer Timster as the two have been in a band together in the past. Dan's great bass playing as well as professional attitude and image makes him the perfect fit for NIGHTSHADE. Donna is a classically trained pianist who brings much more depth to the key/organ parts and will be a driving force on the next NIGHTSHADE recordings."

Norwegian thrashers SUSPERIA have set "Speaking Killing Words" as the title of their new album, due in early 2009. The band has been working continuously throughout the year on the follow-up to 2007's "Cut From Stone" approximately ten tracks were written for the new CD. Commenting on the new material, SUSPERIA recently stated that "It's a mix of hard and fast songs with some nice touches of melody."

SUSPERIA will make an appearance at this year's Canarias Hard and Heavy Meeting, which is scheduled to take place Decemebr 5-6 at Maspalomas, Gran Canaria in the Canary Isles. The band will headline the event on Saturday, December 6. Other acts set to appear at the festival include VICIOUS ART, INFEKTOR and ESCLAVITUD.

Canarias Hard and Heavy Meeting is organized by Norway's Helvette and Scream magazines. It was originally intended for Scandinavian metal fans as a getaway from their notoriously dark days of winter. However, the opportunity to have a metal-filed sunshine winter break has been gaining interest from further afield. As a result, the magazines are organizing vacations to the event from various countries between December 3 and December 10.

For more information, go to this location.

SUSPERIA released its fourth studio album, "Cut from Stone", last year through the Tabu label in Europe and Candlelight Records in the USA. It entered the Norwegian chart at position No. 18 and was the No. 1 most added album on the influential CMJ Loud Rock and FMQB radio charts in the U.S.

"Cut from Stone" was recorded at Strand Studio, Oslo, Norway during 2006. The mix was completed by Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH, SOILWORK) at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden, while the production was handled by SUSPERIA and Marius Strand.

Fan-filmed video footage of SUSPERIA performing at the Metal Rock Festival in Lillehammer, Norway on August 16, 2008 can be viewed here.

Drummer Hans Rutten of the Dutch rock outfit THE GATHERING has issued the following update:

"The waiting is over. Well ... almost!

"We are very happy and proud to announce the release of our ninth studio album
in April 2009! The album will be called 'The West Pole'. You probably are curious who is singing on our new record. We have found a new [female] vocalist, and we will have two [also female] guest singers on 'The West Pole'.

"We can imagine people are anxious to hear some of our new music. However, we will not make it to put new songs online this year. The reason is that some of our [many] guest musicians still need to be recorded and we prefer to present only complete version of the songs. As soon as we have mixed and mastered the album we will put some tracks on the web and of course you will be informed with all possible details. We believe, after hearing the new songs, you will agree the waiting was worthwhile!

"We are very, very proud and we feel we made something really special. The album is produced by René Rutten, it will contain 9 tracks and will be released on our own imprint Psychonaut Records. It will be a very extravert, rock-orientated, alive album. Typically THE GATHERING, but with many new elements. This time it's absolutely guitar-driven. For sure.

"'The West Pole' will be available via our own webshop one month before the actual release date. Like our DVD 'A Noise Severe', we will make special packages. More news will follow soon."

Video footage of DELAIN — the Dutch gothic rock/metal project founded by ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Westerholt (brother of WITHIN TEMPTATION's Robert Westerholt) — performing a new song entitled "I'll Reach You" on the Dutch TV channel RTL7 on November 23, 2008 can be viewed here. The track will appear on the group's second album, "April Rain", which will be released on February 9, 2009 via Roadrunner Records.

"April Rain" follows the successful 2006 debut "Lucidity", which sky-rocketed the career of the band in their home country of The Netherlands. "The new album is a real group effort, that's what we're most proud of," says Martijn Westerholt.

DELAIN has been Westerholt's project from the start and the debut, "Lucidity", was recorded with a star-studded cast of musical friends. He says, "The album was never meant to be played live, but the demand was strong, so we eventually got a live band together. That's the band we've recorded 'April Rain' with. Compared to 'Lucidity', I'd say that this album musically is more coherent and consistent because of the fact that it was recorded all the way through by the same musicians. Production-wise, this album has more of a metal feel to it, as opposed to the more 'poppy' production of 'Lucidity'. Also, the songs tend to be a bit faster. Less 'doomy' than on our debut. That said, that album was never intended to be played live and when performing we all felt that these kind of songs were missing in our repertoire. We can't wait to go out and play these new songs on stage! Another big difference is that there are almost no guest appearances on this album. There's only NIGHTWISH vocalist Marco Hietala, whom we also worked with on 'Lucidity', providing guest vocals on the song 'Control The Storm'."

According to HardDrive Radio, PAPA ROACH is streaming what will probably be the band's first "official" single from its forthcoming "Metamorphosis" album called "Lifeline". Go to www.proachriot.com to sign up and check it out.

PAPA ROACH recently released a new single and video, "Hollywood Whore" (see clip below), at the group's official web site. The track is taken from the band's upcoming fifth major label album, "Metamorphosis". Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix told The Pulse of Radio that the song's subject matter just came to him one day after the band had finished working out the music. "I was writing and I wrote, 'Hollywood whore,' and I was all, 'Now that's a topic. I need to write about Hollywood whores, you know.' 'Cause everybody's tired of them. So I just laid it out how it is, you know, and it's a bad-ass song. It's fun, you know, and at the end I'm just spittin'off at the mouth, going crazy and it's a really fun song."

The arrival of "Hollywood Whore" is part of the long rollout for "Metamorphosis", which was originally scheduled for release this fall but was bumped to March of 2009.

"Metamorphosis" will follow up 2006's "The Paramour Sessions". The disc will mark the recording debut with PAPA ROACH of ex-UNWRITTEN LAW drummer Tony Palermo, who replaced founding drummer Dave Buckner last year after Buckner went down with personal issues.

"Contractor", a new song from Richmond, Virgina metallers LAMB OF GOD, is available for free download at this location (fee sign-up required). The track comes off the band's forthcoming fifth album, "Wrath" (cover), which will be issued in North America by Epic on February 24, 2009. It will be the band's first release outside North America through Roadrunner Records.

"Wrath" was produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

LAMB OF GOD finished the touring cycle for the Grammy-nominated album "Sacrament" at the end of 2007. The two-year trek was documented in the gold-certified DVD "Walk with Me in Hell" and culminated with the band headlining arenas across the U.S. last December.

The band took the entirety of 2008 off the road to focus on the writing process for "Wrath".

"This album is going to surprise a lot of people," commented drummer Chris Adler. "Typically bands that get to where we are in our career begin to slack off, smell the roses and regurgitate. We chose a different path. No one wants to hear another band member hyping a new record. 'Wrath' needs no hype. We have topped ourselves and on February 24 you will feel it."

The first leg of LAMB OF GOD's "Wrath" world tour will start in Finland on February 6 and will include dates in the U.K., Australia, and Japan.

Vocalist Fernando Garcia (GODIVA, ex-VICTORY) and members of BARON ROJO and DARKMOOR are among the musicians who are featured on the first Spanish rock opera "Legado De Una Tragedia". The album, which features a "who's who" of the Hispanic rock scene, is a rock opera divided into two acts — Twilight and Sunset — based on the life and work of American writer Edgar Allan Poe. The CD features 17 songs and contributions by over 50 musicians from such bands as STRAVAGANZZA, MAGO DE OZ, SARATOGA, WARCRY, OBUS, ÑU, RATA BLANCA and IGUANA TANGO.

"Legado De Una Tragedia" was conceived, composed, arranged, produced and recorded by Jacobo Garcia and Joaquin Padilla. The idea for the CD was developed at the end of 2004 in the wake of several rock operas produced in that era where the philosophy was based on a true gathering of all-star musicians in the rock scene around a conceptual history. Joaquin Padilla and Jacobo Garcia began to sketch the idea of conducting a similar project, a conceptual piece that gathers for the first time the largest possible number of national and international Hispanic speaking musicians in a pioneering project.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/legadodeunatragedia.

Scottish folk/power metal band ALESTORM has set "Black Sails at Midnight" as the title of its new album, due in the spring via Napalm Records.

ALESTORM recently announced the addition of guitarist Tim Shaw to the group's ranks. The band stated, "The more eagle-eyed watchers of the underground amongst you may know him as the mastermind behind the epic black metal project FYRDSMAN, and as the guitarist of the now-departed death metal titans PREMITHON. He's a beastly good guitarist, and a great lad to boot. It's gonna be a fucking blast when we get up on stage and in the studio."

ALESTORM released its debut album, "Captain Morgan's Revenge", in January through Napalm Records.

According to a press release, the quartet "plays Scottish 'pirate metal,' by their own definition, and musically resembles the great battle metal bands such as KORPIKLAANI or TURISAS, albeit with a unique touch and Scottish instrumentation."

LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — will release its double DVD, "En Saga I Belgia", in early 2009 via Napalm Records. According to the label, the set "will have a total playing time of approximately six hours, the band delivers an impressive package. 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."

Check out a trailer for the DVD here.

LEAVES' EYES' appearance at this year's installment of the Wacken Open Air festival — which was held July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany — also included the Viking ship stage set. Joining the group on drums for the Wacken gig was Alex Holzwarth, who currently plays in RHAPSODY OF FIRE and SIEGES EVEN.

Danbury, Connecticut's SACRED OATH will release its new, self-titled album in the late spring. The CD was produced by lead singer/guitarist Rob Thorne and features the lineup that appeared on the band's critically acclaimed live album "'Till Death Do Us Part" (2008, Angel Thorne Music). "Sacred Oath" contains 14 songs, including "Blood Storm", "Paradise Lost", "Scourge of Sin" and "Buried Alive".

An unmastered MP3 from the upcoming CD is available for free download at www.sacredoath.net.

SACRED OATH is recognized for pioneering the power metal genre with its cult classic release "A Crystal Vision" (1987, Mercenary Records). The band broke apart for almost seventeen years, but reformed with the triumphant "Darkness Visible" CD (2007, Sentinel Steel) and followed that release with a live album recorded at the first date of its European tour (Keep It True festival, Germany).

Madrid, Spain-based power metallers DARK MOOR have posted a new song, "On The Hill Of Dreams", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the band's new album, "Autumnal", due in early 2009. The follow-up to 2007's "Tarot", was recorded in part at New Sin Studios in Italy and features a guest appearance by soprano Itea Benedicto (NIOBETH).

"Autumnal" track listing:

01. Swan Lake
02. On The Hill Of Dreams
03. Phantom Queen
04. An End So Cold
05. Faustus
06. Don't Look Back
07. When The Sun Is Gone
08. For Her
09. The Enchanted Forest
10. The Sphinx
11. Fallen Leaves Waltz

Check out the cover artwork here.

DARK MOOR's latest CD, "Tarot", was released in the U.S. in May 2007 via Caroline distribution. The album, which was issued in Europe in February 2007 via Italy's Scarlet Records, is said to be "an intriguing" conceptual effort about the major arcanes of the tarot, covering in depth the meaning of each arcane and the esoteric halo that surrounds it. Production duties were once again handled by renowed producer Luigi Stefanini (RHAPSODY, LABIRYNTH, VISION DIVINE). The impressive artwork was created by Derek Gores (EDGUY, KAMELOT).

FIASCO GENERAL, the new band featuring Sami Kukkohovi (ex-SENTENCED bassist, current KYPCK stand-in guitarist) on guitar, has posted a previously unheard demo version of a "new old song," "The River Is Runnning Red" on the group's MySpace page.

Currently unsigned, FIASCO GENERAL's lineup consists of the following musicians:

Risto Stenroos - Vocals
Sami Kukkohovi - Guitar
Harri Halonen - Bass
Anssi Vetämäjärvi - Drums

"Initiate", the new video from Tasmanian tech-death masters PSYCROPTIC, can be viewed here. The clip was directed by James Harmsworth of Express Media Productions and it reaches almost eight minutes in length. The song comes off PSYCROPTIC's fourth album, "Ob(Servant)", which entered the AIR chart (Australian Independent Recordings) at position No. 7.

The AIR charts are compiled by AIR from sales rankings supplied by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Titles are eligible to be included in the AIR charts survey if:

* The artists are Australian;
* The title is released on an independent label or self-released;
* Where it is either distributed through an independent distributor or where an independent label uses the services of a major or its subsidiary to distribute the title

PSYCROPTIC drummer Dave Haley stated about the accomplishment, "I just heard that our new album 'Ob(servant)' hit number #7 on the AIR charts out here in Australia. I actually had to have a bit of a giggle about that — a death metal album filled with blast beats and growling vocals sitting next to a lot of pop and rap stuff. It's great indictation of the state of extreme metal at the moment — it has a growing and dedicated following... good times to be a metal band!"

"Ob(Servant)" was released in Europe on September 26 and in North America on October 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Symbols of Failure" was mixed and mastered by former MACHINE HEAD and SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (DIVINE HERESY, GOJIRA) and was recorded once again by guitarist Joe Haley. The album includes a free bonus DVD featuring a studio diary as well as performance footage from a 2006 gig in Amsterdam, Netherlands and 2008 concert in Wellington, New Zealand. The free bonus DVD runs approximately 85 minutes.

PSYCROPTIC's third full-length album, "Symbols of Failure", was released in February 2006 via Neurotic Records. The follow-up of 2003's "The Scepter of the Ancients" marked the recording debut of vocalist Jason Peppiatt.

MEGADETH is in the early stages of the songwriting process for the band's new album, which is tentatively expected sometime next year via Roadrunner Records. The CD is once again being helmed by acclaimed British producer Andy "Undie" Sneap, who produced MEGADETH's last album, "United Abominations" (May 2007, Roadrunner Records).

MEGADETH's forthcoming LP will be the group's first with guitarist Chris Broderick, who replaced Glen Drover at the end of last year.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update via the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who choose to celebrate Thanksgiving on this day. Today's update is kinda wrapping up the whole week, instead of just any given day.

"Andy Sneap has gone back to the UK, and Shawn Drover [drums] has gone back to the land of mosquitoes in Georgia. I am here at home in San Diego, like James [Lomenzo, bass] is too, and Chris is up the freeway two hours in L.A. Our last full day together was Tuesday, and we got a lot of ground covered.

"I know that there was probably some wonder of how I was going to come up with these songs, but I have never wondered, and the songs I have heard so far are kewl to me, and we keep making little slight adjustments which improve the song most of the time. I also have just enough humility to know when a change has not made a song better, and to go with what is best for the song.

"Of the four songs we have demoed up (without lyrics), there are fast and slow elements in each song. I am OK with the way that the parts are shaping up, and since the finished project is always better than the drawing board, I am just going to relax and sit back and watch how things unfold themselves. It gets too overwhelming with all of the complaints on how to make the next record and what I am doing wrong, and how we are too this or too that to matter to metal fans, and I just shake my head and laugh.

"In the studio, I love how when I am talking about a drum part needing a double-bass part or a real frantic drum performance, that Shawn keeps going, 'I know what he wants!' and then he runs out to the live room and does it. What a luxury to have him sitting there, and have him help feel the little nuances and make them standout! I knew this was going to be a much better recording when we started it. It is not going to be a speed metal/thrash metal record from 1980's or 1990's. It is almost 2010 and I am happy with my playing, especially since at one time I couldn't play anymore.

"So, I have a lot to be grateful for. Yeah, it gets disappointing to read the posts that are constantly bagging on me, MEGADETH, my music, or just anything that has to do with my life, and I know that there are a lot of people here that see this too, and disagree. I just ask that you remember, in order to not be perceived as unfair, we allow a certain level of counter-MEGADETH opinions to be post here; it's just that sometimes people go too far.

"Take this new record. Half of the complaints come from people who can't play an instrument and have no idea how hard these parts really are, because they are not what they seem to the human ear, and how they are actually played. Ask any of the guitar heroes that have played in MEGADETH and they will tell you that it is a lot harder than it looks. And besides, who in their right mind would let a complaining fan change the way that music is expressed from your very soul. This isn't just making stuff up for the money. I actually really love to play and be in front of you an entertain you. Plus, it is outright stoopid to think after complete loss of use of my left arm that there wouldn't be some residual affect from the nerve damage and some speed, dexterity, and ability sacrificed when the accident occurred. I mean, I see some guys get hurt and can't play, and people want to have 24-hour bed watches for them, and when I got hurt it was more like, 'now let's see what he's made of,' which is probably inaccurate, but I felt more like that, than 'Jeez, I am happy he can still play at all.'


"We have also documented the way that the industry has changed and dictated that way that bands had to operate. Just because you have been a fan for several years doesn't mean you understand what it is like when you are told that your record is not getting picked and you did everything to make it work, and it is because of something you 'said' or 'did' and nothing to do with the musical merit of the band or the songs that you get played, or put in the rack space in the stores, or you get someone who has moved my records and put someone else's in its place (and we have had fans tell us that they did this for us too, as well as have it happen to us). Face it, there are still assholes out there who are holding the grudge and keeping it alive. I just did a search and there are thousands of sites on me and what I think of 'someone's' new album — this is an outright lie. I didn't post or say anything, because I have zero to say for the first time in my life about it. But this is just as preposterous as the several dozen sites on Facebook and elsewhere with impostors acting like they are me. I don't know what I find more ignorant, the impostor or the people who carry on these relationships with these impostors. I was talking to Justis [Dave's son] and his guitarist yesterday, and telling them how terrible people will be to their band, how they will love you, and turn on you, and how to keep from letting it break you down. People just love to hurt other people; especially anonymously over the net. You can tell because they take so much delight in ripping flesh with their words. The problem is that I expect this, and it does not hurt me like it used to; in fact it only makes me happy to see how much I have grown and how much I could have missed by being negative and small-minded for the rest of my life. I mean, think about it. Are some of the things said here really expected to be taken into consideration by me, when there is so much negative sh*t in the posts? I just keep reading and skip the ones that are nasty like that.

"There are many, many unkind places that you can go and rip apart someone and be part of the mob mentality, with the other cowards that hide behind a computer and try to destroy a person's life work because it isn't fast enough for them. Megadeth.com is not one of those places. So, if you come here and slag me, you can be sure that it will be allowed for a while, but that you won't make a lot of friends here, and that you really won't enjoy your experience here like the people who know me do, when we talk about music or travel, or even coffee, whatever! This site and the people here are here for the lifestyle, for the friendships that are made here, for the great environment, as well as for the informative music authorities, for the musicians and international forums. The list goes on and on.

"May I get back to the new record? OK, well, I was saying that I like just about everything concerning it; the sound, the environment, the music (at whatever tempo), the fact that we are constantly having successful meetings around the studio, the client list is growing, and so on, and so on.

"Speaking of successful meetings, this week so far, we have met with our merchandise company, FEA, and started the artwork for the Priest Feast tour, as well as our own new merchandise line for the next world tour. John Lorenzi is hard at work coming up with great new designs for you for the next tour. We did very well with our merchandise last tour, and I hope to do that same this tour. I also met with Kevin Dees, the son of Rick Dees, and two of his associates about me having an Internet radio show on the Dees Radio network that would bring something even kewler to Megadeth.com. This is new and on its way, so we will keep you posted on this exciting development. Please stand by for this one.

"Next, I have seen the new Dean guitar that they are going to unveil at the NAMM 2009. I am sure a lot of you will see it at this years trade show in Anaheim, Cal., and just a hint, it is a graphic guitar with some 'Rust In Peace' artwork on it. I can't wait to see this baby up close! I am really looking forward to making it back to the German NAMM show, whatever that is called again.

"And lastly, I received a topsecret 'box' shipped from Paul Marshall and my good friends at Marshall Amplification. All I have to say is, 'WOW!' You are going to die when you see what I see, er . . . hear.

"Have a great day today, and if you know someone who may not get to eat today, 'sharing' is one of my favorite words, and I just ask that on this one day, that we would do something good for someone less fortunate. It's a rush! I promise!"

MEGADETH will embark on the "Priest Feast" European tour in February 2009 with headliners JUDAS PRIEST and openers TESTAMENT.

MEGADETH's "Anthology: Set The World Afire" (Capitol/EMI) career-spanning 2-CD and digital collection sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Irish rockers THERAPY? will release their new studio album, "Crooked Timber", on March 23 via Global Music.

For the past two years, THERAPY? fans have eagerly awaited the band's return. Now they're back with a hard-edged recording that will really get under your skin and into your mind.

According to the group, "Crooked Timber" focuses more on rhythm, rather than melody. While it is a heavy recording, it’s not exactly the obvious path for THERAPY? Frontman Andy Cairns explains: "I guess we’re always challenging just what makes us THERAPY? After so many years, if we were formulaic about it, we'd have gotten bored with the band long ago. The album was written together as a band, and each track has its own concept and inspirations. They took a while to write and we've taken our time to write them."

"Crooked Timber" was produced by Andy Gill, a founding member and guitarist for the English rock group GANG OF FOUR, considered among the most influential post-punk bands. Gill also produced much of GANG OF FOUR's output, and albums for many other artists, including the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, THE JESUS LIZARD, THE STRANGLERS, THE FUTUREHEADS, MICHAEL HUTCHENCE, KILLING JOKE and THE YOUNG KNIVES.

According to a press release, "Versions of new [THERAPY?] songs like 'The Head That Tried To Strangle Itself', 'Low Winter Sun', 'I Told You I Was Ill' and 'Mingusisyphus' illustrate the classic mix of intense instrumentation and dark pop that has made THERAPY? internationally renowned. Whilst most of their '90s peers have been content to follow the options of rehash/reform/rollover, the UK trio have always carved their own unique musical furrow bolstered by a formidable live reputation and a stream of chart hits."

THERAPY?'s latest album, "One Cure Fits All", was released in April 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "Never Apologise Never Explain" was produced by Pedro Ferriera, who had previously worked with COLOUR OF FIRE, THE DARKNESS and TOKYO DRAGONS, among others.

Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL have launched a special Christmas calendar containing daily specials such as clips from the "Any Means Necessary" video shoot, which took place in Belgrade, Serbia, videos from the band's rehearsal room, funny photos, singer Joacim Cans' recipe for Christmas cookies and other cool stuff. This can be found on the band's official homepage.

Says the band: "Christmas is soon upon us, and we in HAMMERFALL have a special treat for you: every day from now until Christmas Eve, there will be a new surprise behind the doors in our special Advent calendar and with a huge grand opening on the 24th. So be sure to check back daily for an exclusive look on the new and improved HAMMERFALL!"

"Any Means Necessary" is the first single off the band's eighth full-length album, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", due on February 20, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in part at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden and includes an instrumental written by the group's latest addition, guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT), as well as a song entitled "One of a Kind", which was composed as a collaboration between HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak and IN FLAMES axeman Jesper Strömblad (who was a member of HAMMERFALL in the band's earliest incarnation). The cover artwork was created by Sam Didier, while Thomas Ewerhard was responsible for the CD layout.

"No Sacrifice, No Victory" track listing:

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

Pontus Norgren joined HAMMERFALL as the replacement for Stefan Elmgren, who left the band in early April to focus on his new career as a pilot.

HAMMERFALL's "Masterpieces" CD — a collection of all the covers the band has recorded to date plus three previously unreleased versions of other artists' songs — entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 69. Meanwhile, HAMMERFALL's "Rebels With A Cause - Unruly, Unrestrained, Uninhibited" DVD chronicling the last few years of the band's career landed on the German chart at No. 81 (German chart rules allow music DVDs to enter album charts).

The band will embark on a European headlining tour in early 2009, with support from SABATON and BULLET.

Italian avant-garde metallers EPHEL DUATH have announced the addition of vocalist Guillermo Gonzales to the group's ranks.

EPHEL DUATH guitarist and founding member Davide Tiso comments: "Guillermo has been close to EPHEL DUATH for some time — he almost joined the band before in 2003! He was going to take the place of the clean vocalist Davide Tolomei, who left EPHEL DUATH after 'The Painter's Palette'. Then we realized that Guillermo's aggressive vocal approach was going to clash with Lucio and we all agreed to abandon the idea. In any case, from that moment on Guillermo started to be very active with EPHEL DUATH, helping me with lyrics and the development of the concepts so far. The whole idea behind the songs 'Vector' and 'Vector Third Movement' from 'Pain Necessary To Know' come from a conversation we had together. More recently, he was the person that pushed me to write the short stories I did for 'Through My Dog's Eyes'.

"I always thought that one day I was going to have a band with my friend Guillermo, then when Lucio realized that he was forced to abandon the band, we both agreed that he was the right person to call to properly continue the activity of EPHEL DUATH. We are already working so hard, that I didn't have the time to realize how excited I am to start this new adventure... What I know is that I'm really, really happy and genuinely trusting for the future of my life, and my band."

New vocalist Guillermo is a professional poker player and the band even plan to finance some future tours through playing poker.

Guillermo comments: "I've been in the Italian extreme metal scene since 1992. For 15 years I've been the lead singer of MOTHERCARE, one of the most important Italian underground extreme metal bands (boasting collaborations with NAPALM DEATH and NASUM). I met Davide in 2002 when we both lived in Venice. He's been my dearest friend since then. We often tried to do something together, but our roads always went in different directions. Now it seems our roads have finally become one.

"Two months ago I left MOTHERCARE because of internal contrasts and I felt like my life was over. Two weeks ago Davide told me that Lucio was going to quit and asked me to become EPHEL DUATH's new singer. A new life started. Lucio is a great performer and has been a great partner for Davide; I'm honored to be his heir and I'm insanely excited about being in a band that I always considered one of the most innovative and original in today's music.

"In my 'regular' life I am a poker journalist and a professional poker player. Since 2006 I'm the editor in chief of Poker Sportivo, the main Italian poker magazine. I live now in Verona but I'm often touring Europe to follow all major poker tournaments. I've got a blog where I write about my poker life, cinema, music, creative writing and other stuff."

Check out Guillermo's blog at manglewax.blogspot.com.

Luciano Lorusso George, vocalist for EPHEL DUATH since 2003's "The Painter's Palette", was forced to leave the band for economic and personal reasons. EPHEL DUATH have always been a band of coincidence and change, constantly evolving, and as fate would have it, after recording an album about a dog, Luciano has become a full-time dog groomer — the irony of which has not been lost on main man Davide.

Davide states: "Lucio is together with me the guy who has always believed most in this band so far. The news about his departure has been shocking, especially for him as he had no choice — and he never thought about his life without the band. I'm so sad he's no longer part of this project, especially after all the work he's put into 'Through My Dog's Eyes'. EPHEL DUATH has always tried to surmount any obstacles put in its path and this is probably one of the most difficult we've ever faced, but we will continue because challenges are the roots of this band and it's what makes us stronger. And after recording an album about a dog, who can fault fate with this twist they've laid upon us?"

A new EPHEL DUATH track entitled "Guardian" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off "Through My Dog's Eyes", which is scheduled for release on January 26, 2009 through Earache Records. Check out the cover artwork by Seldon Hunt here.

San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD have been forced to cancel their remaining two performances on the SLIPKNOT tour in Antwerp and Luxembourg, in the wake of guitarist Phil Demmel collapsing onstage again during the band's second-to-last song Friday night (December 12) in Sheffield, England.

Says bassist Adam Duce: "After considering the seriousness of Phil's health condition, we all feel that skipping these last two shows is the best thing to do. It's a bummer to end this tour like this after doing nine amazing weeks and three continents with SLIPKNOT, but getting Phil back to the States to get checked out is the most important thing right now. Our sincerest thanks to SLIPKNOT and CHILDREN OF BODOM for their support and understanding, we understand that it's a big disappointment to the fans, and Phil is very sorry about it, but we all feel that his health and safety is most important at this time."

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

"The recording session for our third opus is finally coming to an end. We've just finished off mixing nine astonishing songs, which we're about to master with Peter In de Betou in Tailor Maid Production studios by the end of January. By that time we will have an exclusive new song [posted on our official web site], so be sure to check it out. We will be back with launch dates for the album as soon as we get them."

THE LEGION parted ways with Kjetil Hektoen last year. The remaining members of the band handled the vocals on the new material, which was previously described as "a bit more epic and 'majestic,' but at the same time very sick and twisted. The intensity is still there for sure but, we've focused more on getting the right feel, instead of getting entangled in technical twists."

THE LEGION released its sophomore album, "Revocation", in February 2006 via Listenable Records.

AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen has tapped former PORCUPINE TREE drummer Chris Maitland to record the drum tracks for his new project. The recording sessions took place November 9-12 (listen to a sample).

Commented Arjen: "We recorded Chris Maitland's drums last month at RS 29 (the studio where I recorded drums for the first five AYREON albums). Not only did he live up to my (admittedly high) expectations; he surpassed them! I've been a big fan of his drumming ever since I heard PORCUPINE TREE's 'Signify' in 1996, and particularly since seeing him play live with them."

Arjen added, "Chris's playing has it all: great energy and power coupled with a perfect groove and flawless technique. I almost worked with him on AYREON's 'The Dream Sequencer' in 1999, but that didn't work out at the very last moment. The project I'm currently working on was just screaming for his particular style; the music is subtle at times but also quite heavy and challenging in places. Chris's performance during the sessions was brilliant, and now I'm really enjoying recording the vocalist, who comes to my studio to record one song every couple of weeks. I realize that artists say this all the time, but I truly believe that this will be my strongest side project yet!"

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR entered the studio on November 28 to begin recording their new album, "16.6", due in early 2009 via Frontiers Records.

The group has issued the following update:

"Another week, another very intensive work in the recording studio — all instruments are recorded, percussion and orchestra parts are recorded. We changed some lyrics and some song titles, as always, last minute.

"Magnus [Karlsson, guitar] is just on his way back home to Sweden and still left some open mouths in the House Of Music [studio]! Not only regarding his phenomenal guitar playing, he added some more stange string instruments and a lot of good vibes to the production!

"Ralf [Scheepers, vocals], Mat [Sinner, bass] and Dennis [Ward, producer] are working on the vocal and choir parts."

TORTURE DIVISION — the new Swedish death metal project featuring guitarist Lord K. Philipson (THE PROJECT HATE, GOD AMONG INSECTS, ex-LEUKEMIA), bassist/vocalist Jörgen Sandström (VICIOUS ART, THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE) and drummer Tobias "Tobben" Gustafsson (VOMITORY) — has completed work on the third demo in the band's first trilogy. Titled "Our Infernal Torture", the three-song effort was mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, HAIL OF BULLETS, NOVEMBERS DOOM) and is available for free download at this location.

Commented the group: "We started this band with the intention of handing everything out for free and we'll continue to do just that. Download the demo (no, we don't sell any physical copies — you have the goddamn covers and everything available for download, print the fucken demo(s) yourself) and spread it on torrent sites, Rapidshare or whatever. Just get the fuckin' thing out there. Have people discover the world's best fucken death metal. Do the same with our two previous demos, thank you. After that — support us by buying our coming merchandise. All the money we get from that go straight into the recording of the first part of the next trilogy and future shirts. Just as we have done all along. No need to change a winning concept, right?

Guitarist Mick Box of legendary progressive rock veterans URIAH HEEP has issued the following update:

"Well, here we are heading towards the festive holiday season once again after a year of many ups and downs. The release of [the new URIAH HEEP album] 'Wake The Sleeper' was a highlight after us waiting all of that time. There were moments of despair all round with delay after delay, but it came good in the end. The response from the fans and media worldwide has been wonderful and it is a good feeling that we are heading into 2009 with all guns blazing after a fabulous European tour behind us.

"We have travelled what seems like a trillion miles on tour buses, planes, boats and cars but it has all been worthwhile as the reaction to the show has been brilliant. There are not many bands that can say they have performed the entire new CD on stage but we took the gamble and it really paid off. We still managed to play some notable classics in the process so everybody was happy.

"There were some strange venues and I guess there were no stranger than the prison show but such is the spirit in HEEP that we can do these things and take it in our stride and pull it off. There are so many countries left to play in 2009 and we are looking forward to seeing you all out on the road for some more good honest rock 'n' roll HEEP style. It was really cool to be nominated in the best CDs of 2008 in Classic Rock magazine and thanks to all of you that voted.

"It is time now that we focus on our families to celebrate Christmas and New Year and we wish you all, the very best Christmas ever and an even better New Year. As we raise a glass or three to toast everyone's good health please have a thought for those less fortunate and indeed the many homeless people that are out there sleeping on the streets.

"You have heard me say this many times but it is always said straight from the heart, we thank every one of you sincerely who bought 'Wake The Sleeper' and the 'Wake The Sleeper' merchandise and a big thanks to those that came to the concerts as we really do appreciate your support. Have a fantastic time and we look forward to seeing you all in 2009!"

Sweden's HELLFUELED is currently mixing its fourth album with producer Rikard Löfgren (DEATHSTARS, SPARZANZA) for an early 2009 release. Twelve new songs, including one instrumental, were recorded over a seven-week period at Leon Music studios.

Commented the band: "Producer Rikard Löfgren feels totally right for us and we are working as a team on making some new arrengements and stuff on the songs. It almost feels like recording the first album again now with a new pruducer and studio. This is good!"

HELLFUELED's third album, "Memories in Black", was released in early 2007 via Black Lodge Records. The CD was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producers Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten. Swedish multi-instrumentalist/artist Snowy Shaw (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL) to created the artwork and took photos for the album.

HELLFUELED's second album, "Born II Rock", came out in 2005 via Black Lodge.

U.K. atmospheric progressive doomsters PANTHEIST have now returned home after a hugely fruitful tour with SKEPTICISM and OPHIS which took them across mainland Europe, with the band gracing for the first time countries such as Slovakia, as well as new venues in familiar countries (for example, a church in Belgium).

Pictures and other artefacts from the "Exorcising the Funereal" tour have been added to PANTHEIST's official web site.

There are plans to re-release PANTHEIST's debut album, "O Solitude", which has been sold out for a while, in 2009 with completely new artwork. Furthermore, the band is in negotiations with Firebox Records to have all three of its albums released on vinyl over the next two to three years.

Although no specific dates have been booked yet, there are plans for PANTHEIST to play three gigs in Finland around the end of May.

PANTHEIST's third album, "Journey Through Lands Unknown", was released in October by Firedoom Music, an extreme doom metal specialist label of Firebox Records.

"Journey Through Lands Unknown" was recorded and mixed by Greg Chandler at Priory Studios, and mastered by Rik Dowding at Sonic Mastering.

Four audio snippets from the forthcoming, as-yet-untitled new album from Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS — "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.

CANDLEMASS bassist/songwriter Leif Edling recently stated about the album: "We've worked on [the CD] all autumn and it feels really good that it is completed. The sound is superfat, heavy as hell, and very organic/dynamic at the same time. Our friend Chris [Laney; RANDY PIPER, ZAN CLAN] has done a great job mixing it!! I personally think this album is the best one of the three we have released in the new millennium, easy!! It is bigger, better, louder and a bit more mature, I must say!! It is our 'Heaven And Hell', hehe. . . The only thing that pisses me off is the fact that we can't call it 'Hammer Of Doom', after one of the songs on it. A brand new stupid festival in Germany calls themselves that! Who spilled the beans??? Well, well… the album absolutely KILLS and we will surely come up with a suitable name for it."

Fan-filmed video footage of CANDLEMASS performing at the Sweden Rock Cruise, which was held October 9-10, can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "blackopalrough").

CANDLEMASS has been confirmed for next year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 14-16, 2009 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England.

"Lucifer Rising", the new EP from CANDLEMASS, in October entered the Greek International Repertoire Chart at position No. 31.

"Lucifer Rising" includes two brand new tracks — "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God" — plus re-recorded version of "Demon's Gate" live in the studio. As a bonus, you get an audio recording of most of last year's gig from Athens, Greece: "At The Gallows End", "Solitude", "Emperor Of The Void", "Devil Seed", "Under The Oak", "Mirror Mirror", "Of Stars And Smoke", "Black Dwarf" and "Samarithan".

CANDLEMASS' last CD, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Swiss female-fronted symphonic rock/metal band LUNATICA will release its fourth album, "New Shores", on February 27, 2009 via Napalm Records. Michael Levine (Hans Zimmer's arranger; "Pirates of the Carribean", "The Rock") has provided his expertise on one track. In addition, Jimi Jamison (former SURVIVOR vocalist) and John Payne (ex-ASIA) reportedly guest on two songs.

The track listing is as follows:

01. New Shores
02. Two Dreamers
03. The Incredibles
04. The Chosen Ones
05. Into The Dissonance
06. The Day The Falcon Dies
07. Farewell My Love
08. Hearts Of A Lion
09. My Hardest Walk
10. Winds Of Heaven
11. How Did It Come To This

Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band THEOCRACY has written and recorded a Christmas track called "Rudolph Vs. Frosty". The song has been released for free to the public and is available for download at the group's web site.

THEOCRACY released its new album, "Mirror of Souls", in Europe on November 21 via Ulterium Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. on December 9 through Nightmare Records. The Japanese version, which came out on November 25 through Soundholic, contains the exclusive bonus track "Wages of Sin".

"Mirror of Souls" was mastered by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and the booklet was designed by Felipe Machado Franco (ICED EARTH, AYREON, AT VANCE).

SOULGRIND, the Finnish band featuring former LULLACRY frontwoman Tanja "Whisper Lilith" Kemppainen (a.k.a. Tanya), has inked a deal with the new U.K.-based record label Femme Metal Records. The band's ninth album is tentatively due in late 2009.

SOULGRIND's latest CD, "Pakana", was released in February 2007 via Holy Records.

"Pakana", was recorded at D studio and is scheduled for a February 2007 release. "Pakana" is the follow-up to "The Origins of the Paganblood", which was issued in January 2005 via France's Holy Records.

SOULGRIND's current lineup:

Azhemin (THY SERPENT) - Vocals
Ms W Lilith (ex-LULLACRY) - Vocals
Lord Heikkinen (TWILIGHT OPHERA, GLOOMY GRIM, FIERCE) – Guitar
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Agathon The Beast (GLOOMY GRIM) - Drums
TByte (TWILIGHT OPHERA) – Guitar

New Jersey metal titans GOD FORBID have unveiled the artwork and track listing for their new album, "Earthsblood".

Commented guitarist Doc Coyle: "The album layout and our spiffy new MySpace design were both done by our new partner in crime and artistic virtuoso Gustavo Sazes. Based out of Brazil, he hasn't done many American bands.

"For 'Earthsblood', we thought it would be great to go with someone who isn't one of the usual suspects for album design in modern metal. The cover turned out much better than we ever hoped. It fully captures the dark and organic, yet emotional atmosphere of the album. The detail and abstract imagery is haunting and beautiful. The color scheme is perfect. I assure you all that the rest of the layout is just as impressive as the cover. Hopefully it will give people incentive to want to buy the CD (as opposed to downloading) to be able to enjoy the artwork first hand. This is my favorite GOD FORBID album artwork to date!"

"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" is scheduled for release on February 24 in North America and February 16 in Europe via Century Media Records. The CD 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).

Regarding the album's title, guitarist Doc Coyle previously stated, "The title 'Earthsblood' came to me after watching the film 'There Will Be Blood'. What is the price of ambition? Is the blood of our bodies and the blood of the earth one and the same? With the current energy crisis, and its relation to many of the military conflicts worldwide, there has been a global, collective consciousness that has emerged in regards to the interdependence between humankind and the planet in which we inhabit. Coincidentally, the lyrics that Byron Davis and Dallas Coyle had written meshed with these revelations perfectly. This isn't a preachy, trendy, 'hip-to-be-green' album, nor is it a concept album. It's just an abstract observation."