redOrbit reports that AC/DC's new "Black Ice" album was released exclusively at Wal-Mart, and has become the fourth-best-selling album of the year with 1.6 million copies sold, despite the lack of any digital sales. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Kid Rock's "Rock N Roll Jesus" was the third-best-selling album of the year as of the beginning of this month. It was sold only as a CD until nearly a year after its release, when Kid Rock granted Rhapsody exclusive online selling rights in the United States. The album has sold 3,000 digital copies to date.

Both cases challenge prevailing wisdom that iTunes is an indispensable part of music retail. Perhaps more remarkable is the fact that neither album appeared on file-sharing networks any more often than other big releases, said Eric Garland, CEO of the file-trading monitoring firm BigChampagne.

British melodic hard rock veterans PRAYING MANTIS have commenced the recording sessions for their new album, "Threshold of a Dream", for a tentative early 2009 release via Frontiers Records. The CD is being tracked in Atlanta, Georgia with producer/engineer Andy Reilly and it will "once again present the familiar blend of the hard rock edge with very melodic 'hookline' choruses that have always been an essential trade mark of MANTIS," according to a press release. "Still there will be a couple of epic numbers to complete the lot." Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Threshold of a Dream", "Sanctuary", "Broken Chain", "Touch The Rainbow", "Turn The Tide", "Tears In The Rain", "Restless", "Heart In Time", "So High", "Playing God" and "Highway".

PRAYING MANTIS is:

Tino Troy - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Chris Troy - Bass, Backing Vocals
Benjy Reid - Drums
Andy Burgess - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike Freeland - Lead Vocals

German melodic folk/death metallers SUIDAKRA have posted a studio video for their new song "Conloach". Watch it below. The track comes off the group's new album, "Crógacht", which will be released through Wacken Records/SPV on the following dates:

Germany: February 20, 2009
Rest of Europe: February 23, 2009
U.S.: March 3, 2009

The CD was recorded at Gernhart Studios and features cover artwork (see below) by Kris Verwimp.

"Crógacht" track listing:

01. Slán
02. Conlaoch
03. Isle Of Skye
04. Scáthach
05. Feats Of War
06. Shattering Swords
07. Ár Nasc Fola
08. Gilded Oars
09. Baile's Strand

The group previously said about the album, "As the titles suggest, you can expect a decent Irish influence on the new record, so fans of folk metal can rest easy. Fans of SUIDAKRA's harder tunes must not fear; 'Crógacht' will kick your asses as hard as usual, if not harder."

IMPELLITTERI will release its long-awaited new album, "Wicked Maiden", in Japan on January 21, 2009 via Victor Entertainment. The CD, which had the working title of "Good and Evil", was mixed in Vancouver, British Columbia with Greg Reely (DEVILDRIVER, FEAR FACTORY, etc.) and is "by far the most amazing recording I have been involved with," according to IMPELLITTERI mainman/guitarist Chris Impellitteri. "It is filled with amazing riffs, fast shredding solos, screaming vocals, and, of course, a brutal rhythm section."

He added, "The goal of this record was to make a historic album that will rival 'Van Halen 1', OZZY's 'Blizzard of Oz', PANTERA's 'Cowboys from Hell', YNGWIE's 'Rising Force', METALLICA's 'Master of Puppets', and even new artists like CHILDREN OF BODOM and AVENGED SEVENFOLD."

"Wicked Maiden" marks the return to IMPELLITTERI of the band's former singer Rob Rock.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Wicked Maiden
02. Last Of A Dying Breed
03. Destruction
04. Garden Of Eden
05. The Vision
06. Eyes Of An Angel
07. No More School
08. Wonderful Life
09. Holy Man
10. Battle Rages

Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen and her new band AGUA DE ANNIQUE will stage two unique shows in February 2009 — at the Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland (Feb. 12) and at the Oosterpoort in Groningen (Feb. 13). At these intimate performances, Anneke will shed some light on her compositions through personal stories. Anneke will also be joined on stage by Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Niels Geusebroek (SILKSTONE) and singer-songwriter Marike Jager. These artists will also perform on Anneke's new acoustic album.

To see Anneke van Giersbergen sharing the stage with Sharon den Adel is a rare occasion. Earlier this year, Anneke appeared as a special guest on WITHIN TEMPTATION's live DVD. Now Sharon and Anneke will join forces on stage again to perform that same song, "Somewhere". This song, in a new acoustic version, will also appear on Anneke's forthcoming album.

Last year was a tumultuous, but successful year for Van Giersbergen. After 13 years, she left THE GATHERING. During her time with THE GATHERING she evened out the path for a whole new generation of female rock singers. Soon after her departure she grounded her own band AGUA DE ANNIQUE. 2008 was also the year that Anneke, for the first time, was strongly present in the Dutch music scene. Her duet, "Als je ooit nog eens terug kan", with RACOON singer Bart van der Weide and Artists for Tibet, made it to No. 1 in the Dutch chart. Together with C-MON AND KYPSKI she made a vibrant television appearance during the "Fifty Years of Dutch Pop Music Quiz". Anneke also did an overwhelming version of ALANIS MORISSETTE's "Ironic" during the '90's Request Week on Giel Beelen's morning show on national radio.

As well as acoustic versions of songs from her solo debut, "Air", Anneke's upcoming album will contain some great collaborations. Besides Sharon den Adel, Niels Geusebroek and Marike Jager, Anneke will be joined by Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA), John Wetton (KING CRIMSON, ASIA) and Arjen Lucassen (AYREON). The album will be presented during these special shows. Anneke states: "Over the last years, I have done many guest appearances for a wide range of artists. This time I wanted to be the one to invite an outstanding lineup of musicians to contribute to my album."

Norwegian melodic power metal band PAGAN'S MIND has issued the following update:

"We just returned from three weeks of tour craziness along with our friends from SONATA ARCTICA and VANISHING POINT. Thanks to all those guys as well as their crews for a great time with ringing ears, lack of sleep, greasy aftershow food and stress. Let's do it again soon!!!

"Anyway, we aim for more exhaustion, and are currently hard at work putting together our first DVD. We filmed our hometown (well, almost) show in Oslo, which went beyond our expectations, and are currently editing this and taking care of the bonus material. We are looking at an April release, so be prepared for a real pagan live assault."

German melodic death metal hopefuls DEADLOCK have parted ways with bassist Thomas Huschka. "Due to some musical and personal differences, we agreed with him that it's better to make a cut," the band said in a statement. "There's no shittalking whatsoever, no bad mood or angry feelings. We just decided that DEADLOCK should go on with a new bass player. We thank Tom for all the amazing years, the great time, his friendship and all our happy experiences together!"

The group added, "All future shows will be played with session musicians until we found a new member for that part."

"The Brave / Agony Applause", the new video from DEADLOCK, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with director Philipp Hirsch (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, AMON AMARTH, DISILLUSION). The track comes off the group's new album, "Manifesto", which was released in Europe on November 17 (January 6 in the U.S.) via Lifeforce Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Wolves" was mixed by Jacob Hansen (MERCENARY, VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY) and was released in several different formats. The artwork and design for "Manifesto" was handled by Adam Wentworth at www.the663.com, who has previously worked with BEYONCÉ, COHEED AND CAMBRIA and A LIFE ONCE LOST.

NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor has commented on the reports that the band's music has been used to prepare detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay for interrogation.

"It's difficult for me to imagine anything more profoundly insulting, demeaning and enraging than discovering music you've put your heart and soul into creating has been used for purposes of torture," he said in a statement.

"If there are any legal options that can be realistically taken they will be aggressively pursued, with any potential monetary gains donated to human rights charities.
Thank GOD this country has appeared to side with reason and we can put the Bush administration's reign of power, greed, lawlessness and madness behind us."

According to The Scotsman, a number of bands and artists whose recordings have been used in controversial interrogation techniques by U.S. forces are backing a new campaign to end the practice.

The playlist of songs, designed to traumatize and destabilize prisoners psychologically, includes such acts as AC/DC, AEROSMITH and METALLICA.

The Stop The Music Torture drive is the brainchild of Reprieve, the human rights charity that provides legal representations for inmates at Guantanamo Bay.

The campaign aims to exert pressure from the international community to bring to an end the techniques used by U.S. forces in Guantanamo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

HEAVEN AND HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — has finished laying down the basic tracks for its new CD for an early 2009 release via Rhino Records. "It has been a pleasurable experience writing and recording with Ronnie, Tony and Vinny," Butler writes on his web site. "We hope to have the album finished, mixed and ready to go in the next couple of months."

The group's first LP since SABBATH's "Dehumanizer" (1992) is being recorded at Rockfield studios in Wales, England (where "Dehumanizer" was also tracked). According to Butler, he is going to be filming some sort of "making-of" documentary, although it is unclear if that footage will appear on the disc, or as a DVD extra.

Two years ago, Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice reunited to record a trio of new songs for Rhino's "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" before launching a highly anticipated and greatly acclaimed world tour under their new moniker HEAVEN AND HELL. Revitalized by the reunion, the lineup is back in the studio now recording the first-ever full-length studio album from HEAVEN AND HELL. To whet the fans' appetites for the new album, HEAVEN AND HELL returned to the road this past summer for a short stint on the Metal Masters Tour, a month-long North American trek with JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD, and TESTAMENT.

Regarding the band's decision to continue to operate as HEAVEN AND HELL rather than BLACK SABBATH, Iommi told Billboard.com earlier this year, "It really is BLACK SABBATH, whatever we do. We just choose to go out as HEAVEN AND HELL so everyone knows what they're getting [and] so people won't expect to hear 'Iron Man' and all those songs. We've done them for so many years, it's nice to do just all the stuff with did with Ronnie again."

"Standing Tall", the new video from the Swedish heavy metal band CRYONIC TEMPLE, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's new album, "Immortal", which was released on November 21 via Metal Heaven Records. Check out the cover artwork below.

CRYONIC TEMPLE was founded in 1996 and has over the years performed at such festivals as Sweden Rock, Headbanger's Open Air, Peace And Love, Gothenburg Metal, Motala Metal and 2000 Decibel. They have also supported URIAH HEEP, SAXON, LION'S SHARE and PAUL DI'ANNO.

After CRYONIC TEMPLE's successful and highly acclaimed third album, "In Thy Power", in 2005, the band went through some lineup changes and took time off to write new material before hitting the studio.

The group's new lineup features guitarists Esa Ahonen and Leif Collin alongside new singer Magnus Thurin (ex-MINDSCAPE), whose vocal style is said to be influenced by Michael Kiske, Geoff Tate and Tony Martin.

CRYONIC TEMPLE is:

Magnus Thurin - Vocals
Leif Collin - Guitar
Esa Ahonen - Guitar
Hans Karlin - Drums
Bjorn Svensson - Bass

"Lush", the first official music video in the 14-year career of the Norwegian melodic black metal duo ENSLAVEMENT OF BEAUTY, can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Bergen, Norway on March 29-30 with director Sten Brian Tunheim.

"Lush" comes off the band's recently completed EP, "The Perdition", which was produced and mixed by Henrik Ryösä at VoxHouse Studio in Sweden. The CD, which features a guest appearance by Lisa Johnson, is expected for release in early 2009.

"The Perdition" EP track listing:

01. A Kodak Kiss
02. I Treasure the Sadness
03. Lush
04. Severely Flawed
05. Mirror Souls
06. I Descend to Perdition...

A three-minute trailer for "Lusitanian Metal", the long-awaited new DVD from Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL, can be viewed below.

The two-disc effort is being released via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Italy: Friday, December 5
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, December 9
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux: Friday, December 12
Rest Of Europe: Monday, December 15

"Lusitanian Metal" is being made available in three formats/editions:

* One limited edition kingsize mediabook with two DVDs and one CD (comes with a 28-page booklet and an additional slipcase with gold foil print)

* One standard edition with two DVDs (in a super jewel DVD box — comparable to a high-format CD jewel case / this one will have a 24-page booklet plus an additional four-page booklet with the changeable cover artworks with the four members' faces)

* One standard CD jewel case (includes the audio CD of the limited edition / comes with a 20-page booklet and an additional four-page booklet in the same vein as for the standard DVD

The DVD will be also available on MOONSPELL's merchandise booth on the forthcoming European tour, the Filthfest, between December 1 and December 20.

"Lusitanian Metal" track listing:

DVD 1:

* Live At The City Of Ravens (Metalmania, Poland 2004)
* Touch Me In The Eyes (video compilation from Opium to I will see you in my dreams, including the never seen making of from Everything invaded)
* Century Media Years (Discography)
* Knoweldge (Graveyard impressions, exclusive and extensive interview with the band members shot in a Lisbon graveyard)

DVD 2:

Small Hours – The Early Days (1992-1994):

Live Rehearsal:

01. Serpent Angel
02. Wolves from the Fog
03. Ancient Winter Goddess

MOONSPELL's First Show:

04. Intro
05. Goat on Fire
06. Wolves from the Fog
07. Hymn to Lucifer

Supporting CRADLE OF FILTH:

08. Intro
09. Tenebrarum Oratorium Part 1
10. Goat on Fire
11. Vampiria

Strange Are the Ways of the Wolfhearted Tour (1995-1996)

Supporting NAPALM DEATH:

01. Erotic Alchemy
02. Ataegina
03. Trebaruna

Perverse Almost Religious (1996-1997):

Krakow 1996

01. A Poisoned Gift
02. ...Of Dream and Drama (Midnight Ride)
03. An Erotic Alchemy
04. Love Crimes

Dortmund 1996 (previously unseen):

05. Intro
06. Wolfshade (A Werewolf Masquerade)
07. Love Crimes
08. Vampiria
09. ...Of Dream and Drama (Midnight Ride)
10. An Erotic Alchemy
11. For a Taste of Eternity
12. Alma Mater

It's a Sin Tour (1997-1999):

Ermal 1999:

01. Let the Children Cum to Me...
02. Dekadance
03. EuroticA

The Butterfly Effect Tour (2000-2001):

Coliseu 2000:

01. I Am the Eternal Spectator
02. Can't Bee
03. Lustmord

Darkness and Hope Tour (2001-2003):

Release Party for "Darkness and Hope":

01. How We Became Fire
02. Ghostsong

Ermal 2002:

03. Angelizer
04. Mephisto
05. Firewalking

Spreading the Eclipse Tour (2003-2005):

With Full Force - 10th Anniversary:

01. In and Above Men
02. From Lowering Skies
03. Opium
04. A Walk on the Darkside
05. Nocturna
06. Southern Deathstyle

Istanbul 2004:

07. Alma Mater / Vampiria

Athens 2004:

08. The Antidote

Hard Club 2004:

12. I Will See You in My Dreams
13. Tenebrarum Oratorium Part 1

Tejo 2005:

14. Awake!
15. For a Taste of Eternity

Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED have inked a new deal with Massacre Records. The band's new album is scheduled tentatively scheduled for release on August 29, 2009. It will be available as jewel case CD, limited digipack with bonus material and strictly limited box set with exclusive t-shirt.

Commented the group: "We're happy to announce our new co-operation with Massacre Records. We've known these guys for years and can finally start working with them. In spring 2009 we'll hit the studio and record the successor to 'The Prestige'. It's still too early to put some words on that — but our fans won't be disappointed."

Guitarist/producer Fredrik Nordström of Swedish melodic metallers DREAM EVIL has issued the following update:

"We are right now writing songs for the next album with the working title 'In The Night'. I believe that the release date will be before summer of next year. As usual, will we prepare approximately 30 songs and take the 15 best for recording. We will enter the studio on December 8th to start recording 4-5 songs and then continue in.

"Other than that, I can tell you that the DREAM EVIL camp now has 11 kids in total (MINI EVIL will start touring 2020, haha) and two of them are not even one year old, so we will have to wait some more before we can do longer tours again, but those who are waiting for some good stuff shall not remain waiting for too long. Consequently, we are working on some shorter tours and festival appearances around the planet."

"Fear Circus", the second single from "Archangels In Black", the new album from French neo-classical metallers ADAGIO, is available for streaming at the band's MySpace page.

Listenable Records has set a February 2, 2009 European release date for "Archangels In Black". The cover artwork, which was created by Guilherme Sevens, is also available below.

According to a press release, "without being a concept album, 'Archangels In Black' evokes the band’s convictions about a certain Nightside philosophy and a very personal approach of life and death." Guitarist Stéphan Forté says, "Darkness is a concept with many branches, often misunderstood from outside, but elemental for some kind."

The CD was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden with Björn Engelmann (RAMMSTEIN, MESHUGGAH). According to Stéphan Forté, "Björn did an amazing job. The result is heavy as fuck and makes the songs even more powerful!!! We're a 110% happy with the result."

"Archangels In Black" is the first CD to feature ADAGIO's latest addition, Finnish singer Christian Palin.

Palin is a member of the Swedish/Finnish combo ESSENCE OF SORROW and RANDOM EYES.

"Archangels In Black" track listing:

01. Vamphyri
02. The Astral Pathway
03. Fear Circus
04. Undead
05. Archangels In Black
06. The Fifth Ankh
07. Codex Oscura
08. Twilight At Dawn
09. Getsu Senshi

The cover artwork for "Evisceration Plague", the new album from Tampa, Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, can be viewed below.

Commented bassist Alex Webster, "For 'Evisceration Plague' we enlisted legendary gore/horror artist Vincent Locke, who has done artwork for all of our releases. He did two pieces for us this time, a dark and foreboding cover piece, and a violent and gory piece for the interior of the CD packaging. Vince has shown once again that he is a master of capturing a macabre and eerie vibe with his artwork."

"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.

Doro Pesch celebrated her 25-year career as the reigning queen of German heavy metal by performing a three-hour set last night (Saturday, December 13) at the 20,000-capacity ISS Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany. HOLY MOSES, LEAVES EYES' and ARCH ENEMY opened the show and were followed by full set by DORO herself, which included guest appearances by Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL), Jean Beauvoir, GRAVE DIGGER's Chris Boltendahl and guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, SCORPIONS' Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker, as well as a host of other female vocalists, such as Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES), Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER), members of GIRLSCHOOL, Liv of SISTER SIN and Sabina Classen of HOLY MOSES.

A number of high-quality photos from last night's show can be found on Metal-Experience.com.

Some of the early fan-filmed footage of the performance is available below.

Doro's setlist was as follows:

01. Earthshaker Rock
02. I Rule The Ruins
03. You're My Family
04. The Night Of The Warlock
05. Hellraiser
06. Always Live To Win (feat. Bobby Ellsworth)
07. Above The Ashes
08. She's Like Thunder
09. Herzblut
10. Für Immer
11. Burn It Up (feat. Jean Beauvoir)
12. Metal Tango Drum Solo
13. Celebrate Full Metal Female Version
14. Love Me In Black
15. Walking With An Angel (feat. Tarja Turunen)
16. The Seer (feat. Tarja Turunen)
17. East Meets West (feat. Chris Boltendahl, Axel Rudi Pell)
18. Breaking The Law
19. Big City Nights (feat. Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker)
20. Rock You Like A Hurricane (feat. Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker)

Encore:

WARLOCK reunion (with Doro):

21. Fight For Rock
22. Burning The Witches
23. All Night
24. Midnite In China
25. True As Steel
26. Hellbound (feat. Warrel Dane)

Encore 2:

27. Warrior Soul
28. Unholy Love
29. Fight

Encore 3:

30. All We Are

Guitarist Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD) and vocalist Mats Levén (THERION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA) make guest appearances on the second full-length album from Swedish all-female rock/metal band CRUCIFIED BARBARA, "Til Death Do Us Party", which is scheduled for release in Scandinavia on February 11 and in the rest of Europe on February 27.

"Til Death Do Us Party" was produced by Mats Levén and features the following track listing:

01. Killer On His Knees
02. Pain & Pleasure
03. Sex Action
04. Creatures
05. Jennyfer (feat. Mats Levén)
06. Dark Side (feat. Phil Campbell)
07. Can't Handle Love
08. Blackened Bones
09. Danger Danger
10. Rats
11. Feels Like Death

"Into the Ashes", the new video from ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, can be viewed here. The clip will see its on-air debut on this week's "Headbangers Ball", which airs on Saturday from 2 to 3 a.m. on MTV 2.
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS frontman Ken Sorceron comments on the making of the video: "We filmed the video underneath London Bridge in this dungeon-like area that they used to store dead bodies in. We felt right at home, minus the smell, of course. We actually had just returned to the UK, having completed some European dates. We had been going on eight straight weeks of touring at that point, so we were all pretty tired, but we got through it and had a good time."

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS' full-length debut, titled "In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns", was released on October 28 via Candlelight Records. The CD was produced by James Murphy and features contributions from Trym Torson (EMPEROR, ZYKLON).

Commented vocalist Sorceron: "We couldn't be happier with the results. The addition of Trym's legendary drumming and the experience on the production/mixing end that James brought to us has been priceless. This album wholly eclipses everything we've recorded in the past and we can't wait to begin playing the new material live."

An intense project with recording and tracking beginning in January of this year, "In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns" contains ten new songs from the band currently featuring keyboardist Ashley Ellyllon, bassist Thomas G. Plaguehammer, guitarists Mike (Kron) Wilson and Bjornthor, drummer Samus with band founder/vocalist Sorceron.

German, lyrically extreme, dark metal band EISREGEN has re-signed with Massacre Records for four more albums. Additionally, EISREGEN will release a double live album called "Bühnenblut - Live in Leipzig" in May 2009.

"Knochenkult", the seventh album from EISREGEN, entered the Austrian chart at position No. 61 and the German Media Control chart at No. 40 back in October.

Formed in 1994, EISREGEN's members hail from Tambach-Dietharz, a village in Thüringen (Thuringia). By using morbid German lyrics unlike those of other bands of this genre, they caught the attention of the German authorities, which attempted to ban three of the group's albums, one EP and one live video. The reason that was given for ban was was that the lyrics were "grausam, menschenverachtend, frauenfeindlich, verrohend und sozial-ethisch desorientierend" (cruel, inhuman, misogynistic, brutalizing and socially/ethically desorienting).

"Knochenkult" was recorded at Klangschmiede E studios under the watchful eye of Markus Stock and contains 10 tracks featuring a "unique combination of clean and almost inhuman vocals, remarkable melody lines, pounding drums and for sure the very unique way of lyrics, for which EISREGEN are famous (and infamous) for," according to a press release. "Lyrically, as always on a top level, M. Roth did not step back at all on the heavniess of the told stories from the dephts of real horrors. Songtitles such as 'Das liebe Beil', 'Sei Fleisch & Fleisch sei tot', 'Treibjagd' prove, that even in the 13th year of band history still the bands does no compromise!"

While in the studio recording their new album "The Concealers", the members of DAATH decided to record a medley of classic death metal songs by CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL and DYING FETUS. The resultant recording — which also features JOB FOR A COWBOY's Jonny Davy on vocals — is entitled "Fecal Finger" and is available for free download only at MetalSucks and will not appear on the new album. Download the track and watch behind-the-scenes video footage at this location.

DAATH drummer Kevin Talley explained the genesis of the track to MetalSucks via e-mail: "'Fecal Finger'... a beautiful name for a beautiful piece of music. One day we jammed some death metal songs and we jokingly said we should play them at a show... so we did. We chose the DYING FETUS song because I wrote and recorded it with them and many people never saw me play it live. Matt DeVries [CHIMAIRA] and I used to jam that MORBID ANGEL riff a couple years ago so we brought that in since it is crushingly brutal. And you can't jam a jam without Jim Carrey's favorite death metal band CANNIBAL CORPSE. We recorded this freakin shit because kids these days need to recognize who influenced the newer bands they listen to. After hearing the originals for so many years, it's weird hearing these songs with a newer style recording. But Sean Z's vocals are fucking sick and Jonny Davy's (JOB FOR A COWBOY) guest vocals on the MORBID ANGEL part are amazing. This recording is finally growing on me and it's actually my favorite thing to listen to right now."

Finnish female-fronted symphonic metallers AMBERIAN DAWN have issued the following update:

"This year has been amazing for us and big thanks goes to all of you fans around the world! We had really succesfull European tour with EPICA and all the shows, especially last show in Paris, will stay in our memories forever! What makes it even greater was that one-third of the shows were sold out! We have had a lot of fun playing to great audiences and spending some time with many fans after the shows. Four weeks together in a tour bus went very quickly and there was a great sense of humor among bands and our excellent tour crew. Great memories. But biggest thanks goes to our great fans, as said we had chance to meet many of you and we will make sure we will be back soon!!

"Next stop... studio and finalize the new album!

"We have had also change in our lineup. AMBERIAN DAWN guitarist Tuomas Seppälä, who has played the keyboards in the studio on the albums, takes now a full-time job as a keyboardist on stage. AMBERIAN DAWN wishes Tom Sagar all the best in his future activities. He had done great job with us!

"The new AMBERIAN DAWN guitarist is Emil Pohjalainen (Emppu), who is a talented 24-year-old shredder from Finland. Emppu and Kasperi form probably one of the most technically skilled player duo in the genre together. AMBERIAN DAWN warmly welcomes Emppu in the band.

"So this ends the first chapter of our book... new one is under work and more of that next year!"

Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based female-fronted band THE AGONIST has set "Lullabies For A Dormant Mind" as the title of its second album, due on March 10, 2009 through Century Media Records.

THE AGONIST's music video for the track "Business Suits and Combat Boots" was shot by renowned director David Brodsky. The song was featured on the band's debut CD, "Once Only Imagined", which tackles some of society's biggest issues, including animal testing, drug abuse, eating disorders, environmental protection and man's inhumanity towards man and animals. The band's ultimate goal, though, is simply to encourage people to think for themselves.

THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz once appeared on "Canadian Idol" and was named one of "the hottest chicks in metal" in the July 2007 issue of Revolver magazine.

Glasgow, Scotland's MAN MUST DIE has entered the studio to begin recording the follow-up to its Relapse debut, "The Human Condition". Entitled "No Tolerance For Imperfection", the new album is being recorded at Grindstone Studios in the UK with producer Scott Atkins.

Commented MAN MUST DIE's Danny McNab: "With 11 songs, full to the brim with anger, heaviness and melodic hooks, MAN MUST DIE cannot wait to unleash this new slab of aural assault and hit the road to promote 'No Tolerance For Imperfection'. We are really psyched about the new record, its like we are a new band with a new found passion for the extreme, we cannot wait to get on the road again and show what MAN MUST DIE are all about. We really think fans old and new will love 'No Tolerance for Imperfection' — it's pure MAN MUST DIE but with some new twists and turns, and definitely a new level of intensity. Expect 'No Tolerance for Imperfection' to be out around April 2009."

With "No Tolerance For Imperfection", MAN MUST DIE also introduces brand new drummer Matt Holland to the fold. "With Matt as the immense new sticksman behind the blasts at the MAN MUST DIE camp, it ushers in a new era of intensity and rage!" McNab says. "He has added some serious spice to the new material, and some of his playing if off the scales!"

MAN MUST DIE is confirmed for the 2009 Maryland Deathfest, to be held in May in Baltimore.

MAN MUST DIE formed in 2002 and has toured extensively throughout the United Kingdom with the likes of FEAR FACTORY, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, DYING FETUS, SUFFOCATION, KATAKLYSM and more.