Audio samples of all the tracks that appear on SEPULTURA's new album, "A-Lex", are available at SPV.de.

"A-Lex" (which stands for "no law" or "without law") will be released via SPV Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil: January 23
UK, Scandinavia, rest of Europe: January 26
USA, Canada: January 27

"A-Lex" will be available in three versions: in a deluxe digipak with an embossed cover, in a regular jewel case and on a vinyl gatefold LP.

"A-Lex" (cover) track listing:

01. A-Lex I
02. Moloko Mesto
03. Filthy Rot
04. We've Lost You
05. What I do!
06. A-Lex II
07. The Treatment
08. Metamorphosis
09. Sadistic Values
10. Forceful Behavior
11. Conform
12. A-Lex III
13. The Experiment
14. Strike
15. Enough Said
16. Ludwig Van
17. A-Lex IV
18. Paradox.

Two new SEPULTURA songs — "The Treatment" and "We've Lost You" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Brazil's SEPULTURA is a prime example of an intelligent thrash metal act whose powerful compositions continue to tackle exciting and ingenious subjects. 1996 saw the band devote its landmark release "Roots" to the fate of the Xavante Indians on the border of Brazil and Bolivia; in spring 2006 the musicians put to music an opus by the Italian poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri, on their album "Dante XXI". Now this concept has reached a new climax: on their latest release, "A-Lex", guitarist Andreas Kisser and his three colleagues, Derrick Green (vocals), Paulo Jr. (bass) and new addition Jean Dollabella (drums), have dedicated themselves to Anthony Burgess's book "A Clockwork Orange", creating an awesome thrash metal opus around this timeless and exciting subject.

"A lot of people know Stanley Kubrick's film 'A Clockwork Orange', which is a movie classic, but few realize that the last chapter of the book is missing from the film. And that's what in my opinion is extremely important for the message that Anthony Burgess wanted to convey: it's your own free will, your own free choice, in which environment you choose to move," Kisser explains his interpretation of this historic publication. "Following his stay in hospital, Alex, the book's main character, returns to society, meets old friends, finds a wife and starts a family. He makes this choice of his own will, irrespective of what the government had in mind for him."

The recording is divided into four chapters, the first three of which cover the familiar plot from the movie, while chapter four reflects the final part of the story from the book. "Every chapter, from 'Alex I' to 'Alex IV', starts with a brief introduction which allows the listener to follow the story at all times," Kisser explains.

Along with SEPULTURA's familiar raw metal tunes, which are omnipresent on the one-hour recording, they have authentically translated Alex's affinity with Ludwig van Beethoven: supported by classical symphonic musicians from Sao Paulo, the track "Ludwig Van" picks up Beethoven's "9th Symphony" and transposes it into a heavy metal context. This number is a definite must, and it would be impossible to optimise this combination of classical music and savage thrash metal.

The material was produced by SEPULTURA and Stanley Soares at the Trama Studios in Sao Paulo and mastered by George Marino at New York's Sterling Sound studios. "A-Lex" is the first SEPULTURA album to feature new drummer Jean Dolabella, who joined the fold during the "Dante XXI" tour. "We've known Jean for more than three years, he's from [SEPULTURA's original] hometown of Belo Horizonte and joined us when Roy Mayorga left to team up with STONE SOUR," Kisser introduces his new drummer. "He's ten years younger than the other band members and has brought a new approach into the band. Jean has an amazing amount of energy and motivation. We're very happy to have him with us, and we're proud of the positive impact he's had on the material on 'A-Lex'."

IN FLAMES, OPETH, AMON AMARTH, THE HAUNTED and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN are among among the nominated artists for the second annual Swedish Metal Awards, which will be held January 23, 2009 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The complete list of nominees is as follows:

Hard Rock:

BULLET - "Bite The Bullet"
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN - "Perpetual Flame"
H.E.A.T. - self-titled
AMMOTRACK - self-titled

Death Metal:

IN FLAMES - "A Sense Of Purpose"
DISMEMBER - "Dismember"
WITHIN Y - "The Cult"
GRAVE - "Dominion VIII"

Heavy/Power Metal:

SABATON - "The Art Of War"
LECHERY - "Violator"
CLOUDSCAPE - "Global Drama"
CRYSTAL EYES - "Chained"

Glam/Sleaze:

GEMINI FIVE - "Sex Drugs Anarchy"
SISTER SIN - "Switchblade Serenades"
VANITY BLVD - "Rock n' Roll Overdose"
FATAL SMILE - "World Domination"

Punk/Hardcore:

NO FUN AT ALL - "Low Rider"
MILLENCOLIN - "Machine 15"
KID DOWN - "I Want My Girlfriend Rich"
THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY -"The Cross Of My Calling"

Metal (Thrash, Black, Doom etc.):

THE HAUNTED - "Versus"
ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET - "Grim Tales"
AMON AMARTH - "Twilight Of The Thunder God"
OPETH - "Watershed"

Alternative Metal (Modern, Nu, Progressive etc.):

SONIC SYNDICATE - "Love And Other Disasters"
NERVED - "Finally Nerved"
EVERGREY - "Torn"
PAIN - "Cynic Paradise"

Newcomer:

DEAD BY APRIL
SISTER SIN
AMMOTRACK
RENEGADE FIVE

Best Video/Director

IN FLAMES - "Alias" / Patric Ullaeus
M.A.N - "My Own Sickness" / Martin Holtmann
SONIC SYNDICATE - "Jack Of Diamonds" / Patric Ullaeus
OPETH - "Burden" / Lasse Hoile

Best Live Act:

SONIC SYNDICATE
THE HAUNTED
SABATON
MUSTASCH

Best International Album:

METALLICA- "Death Magnetic"
MÖTLEY CRÜE - "Saints Of Los Angeles"
AC/DC - "Black Ice"
GUNS N' ROSES - "Chinese Democracy"

For more information, visit www.swedishmetalawards.com.

"Beautiful Mess", the new album from the legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), will receive its European release on February 20, 2009 via Frontiers Records.

The track listing for the European version of the CD is as follows:

01. 21st Century
02. Cry Me A River
03. Gin And Tonic Sky
04. Hey
05. Broken Man
06. Mountain
07. Our Song
08. Eye
09. Bring It Home
10. Testify
11. Wherever You Wanna Go
12. Kick It
13. Heart Starts Healing (bonus track)
14. Take U Over With Me (bonus track)
15. 21st Century (video - iPod-ready version)
16. Gin And Tonic Sky (video - iPod-ready version)

In addition, a bonus DVD will be included featuring the full-quality videos for "21st Century", "Gin And Tonic Sky", "Hey", a specially filmed piano version of "Gin And Tonic Sky" and live footage recorded at the recent Jeff Scott Soto exclusive appearance at the Firefest show in Notthingham, UK on October 25, 2008.

"Beautiful Mess" was released in September digitally via Sewtoe Music through iTunes and CD Baby.

Jeff Scott Soto's video for the song "21st Century", which was produced and directed by longtime Jeff Scott Soto associate and fellow musician Gary Schutt, can be viewed here.

Swedish hard rockers EUROPE have set "More Is More" as the working title of their eighth studio album, tentatively due in early 2009. The CD, which was described by the band as a "a modern retro rock album," is being helmed by the Swedish Grammis award-winning producer Tobias Lindell (MUSTASCH, HEED, PETTER, BRITNEY SPEARS).

Video footage from the studio can be viewed here.

For updates from the recording process, visit the Europetheband blog.

EUROPE released a new live album, "Almost Unplugged", in Sweden on September 17. The CD features a recording of the band's January 26, 2008 concert at Nalen in Stockholm. The band performed songs from its latest CD, "Secret Society", along with some of its classic hits. The show was broadcast live over the Internet on the official EUROPE web site.

"Secret Society" was released in the U.S. on November 7, 2006 via Sanctuary Records.

Dutch symphonic metallers AUTUMN have completed work in their new album, "Altitude". The CD was recorded at Arno Krabman's Graveland Studio and was mixed and mastered by Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES) at Split Second Sound.

Comments 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!"

"Altitude" track listing:

01. Paradise Nox
02. Skydancer
03. Liquid Under Film Noir
04. Synchro Minds
05. Sulphur Rodents
06. Horizon Line
07. A Minor Dance
08. Closure
09. The Heart Demands
10. Cascade (For A Day)
11. Altitude

Bonus track:

12. Answers Never Questioned

Check out an audio preview on the AUTUMN MySpace page.

"Altitude" will be released on February 27 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy), March 2 (rest of Europe) via Metal Blade Records. The limited first edition will be made available as a digipak including an exclusive bonus track.

AUTUMN in February announced the addition of singer Marjan Welman to the group's ranks. She replaced Nienke de Jong, who left the band in January.

Within the Dutch rock scene, Marjan is considered to be a promising talent with her warm voice and perfect timing. Her vocal contribution on the AYREON album "01011001" received outstanding reviews and shows a singer who stands her ground between a selection of highly acclaimed international vocalists.

Swedish metallers PAIN have issued the following update:

"It's been a few days since we got back home from Russia and Ukraine and our bodies are starting to heal from all the cuts and bruises we managed to get while we weren't on stage. We had a really good time on all shows and it was really great to finally try some more of the new stuff with such a good audience. Now we're going to rest over the Christmas and then focus on the European Cynic Campaign that starts in late January. As we earlier mentioned David [Wallin, drums] can't tour in January. His replacement will be Tomas Lindgren from 8TH SIN."

According to Sky News, the article on the SCORPIONS' "Virgin Killer" album was blacklisted in Britain by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) because its cover features a nude prepubescent girl.

The foundation's list is widely used by major Internet service providers (ISPs) to filter out child pornography and other illegal content.

Adding the site to the list effectively made it inaccessible to the public.

IWF spokeswoman Sarah Robertson estimated that the foundation's list affected 95% of British residential Internet users.

Robertson said she could not explain reports that other parts of the site were difficult to navigate as a result of the block.

German melodic folk/death metallers SUIDAKRA will release their their new album, titled "Crógacht", through Wacken Records/SPV on the following dates:

Germany: February 20, 2009
Rest of Europe: February 23, 2009
U.S.: March 2, 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."

A video for "Shattering Swords" is currently in the works.

Herman Frank, former guitarist of ACCEPT and co-founder of the internationally, highly acclaimed bands VICTORY and MOON'DOC, will release his first solo record, entitled "Loyal To None", on February 27, 2009 via Metal Heaven Records. The recording lineup is completed by Jiotis Parachidis (HUMAN FORTRESS, VICTORY) on vocals, Peter Pichl (RUNNING WILD) on bass and Stefan Schwarzmann (HELLOWEEN, KROKUS) on drums.

Composed, produced and mixed by Herman Frank himself at his Arena 20 stuidos in Hanover, Germany between March 2008 and June 2008, "Loyal To None" is "the perfect choice for any fan of traditional metal," according to a press release.

"Loyal To None" track listing:

01. Moon II
02. 7 Stars
03. Father Buries Son
04. Heal Me
05. Hero
06. Kill The King
07. Down To The Valley
08. Lord Tonight
09. Bastard Legions
10. Welcome To Hell

Frank has made a name for himself as producer for such bands as ROSE TATTOO, MOLLY HATCHET, MESSIAH'S KISS and SAXON.

IRON MAIDEN collectors can now purchase "Iron Maiden Eddie's Evil Brew" direct from the band's official webshop. According to a product description, "You can have 'piece of mind' that this fine Chilean merlot tastes great on its own or with a very very rare steak! Comes in a wooden presentation box 'Iron Maiden Eddie's Evil Brew' printed on top sliding lid which would make a great gift."

Important: Due to customs regulations in some countries, the band is only able to send this product to European Union countries. Therefore please do not place an order for this item unless you live in the EU.

Norwegian black metal legends EMPEROR will release "Live Inferno", a special live series features various releases recorded/filmed during the band's sold-out 2005-2007 reunion performances, on April 16 (in Europe) via Candlelight Records. Several formats will be available, including a two-CD/slipcase with a 16-page booklet, a limited-edition box featuring two CDs and DVD with an enhanced 24-page booklet, a single DVD, and two limited-edition double-vinyl gatefold sets. The audio portion of the "Live Inferno" series features exclusive recordings from the band's headlining performances at Norway's Inferno festival and Germany's Wacken Open Air festival. Each recording will be pressed as individual double-vinyl sets; the first pressing limited to 1,000 copies on black vinyl with any additional pressings in varied colors selected by the band. A special gold-vinyl seven-inch limited to 2,000 copies titled "Thus Spake the Nightspirit" (featuring a live rendition of the band's famed song from the album "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk" with a live recording of "Inno A Satana" from the band's popular "In the Nightside Eclipse" album on the b-side) will be pressed and released via the label's official webstore beginning February 16. The video portion, titled "Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 - A Night Of Emperial Wrath", has a running time of 70 minutes and includes footage professionally filmed at the Wacken Open Air festival with additional on-stage and exclusive backstage footage filmed and compiled by the band.

"It looks like these releases will be the final nail in the coffin for EMPEROR," says guitarist Samoth. "They are a testimony of the live reunion that took EMPEROR to even new heights; unique events like Wacken where EMPEROR headlined in front of 60,000 people. We had a great run of shows and feel lucky that we were able to come back even bigger and perform songs from our complete catalogue for a lot of dedicated fans old and new. There will be several cool formats and limited editions coming that should be a nice treat for the fans and a worthy representation of the EMPEROR legacy. EMPEROR is dead, long live the EMPEROR!"

Vocalist Karen Gilligan has left the Irish folk metal band CRUACHAN "on good terms for various reasons," according to a posting on the group's web site. "We wish her all the best for the future. She will not be replaced!" singer Keith Fay says.

Fay continues, "Over the last few years we have been moving towards a more extreme sound and style, now that Karen has left we are going to continue with this plan and I will take over full-time vocal duties while John Ryan and John O' Fathaigh will take on backing vocal roles.

"For live concerts we are planning to adapt some of our back catalogue songs to suit this new arrangement. There are obviously some popular songs where this will not work and we plan to take a session female vocalist on tour with us. Karen has confirmed that she will appear as a guest on some tracks on the new album and this is something we are really happy about. We are looking at this as an opportunity to have a new start with CRUACHAN and we promise that our next release will be the greatest CRUACHAN album to date."

Gilligan comments on her departure: "It is with a heavy heart I make the announcement that I will be leaving CRUACHAN. I want to thank you for all your support over the years, and hope that you will continue to support the lads, as they continue on their musical journey. I have thought long and hard about making this decision and the impact it will have, but it is time for me to move on. I want to thank Keith, John Clohessey, John Ryan, Colin, and John Fay and all the past members of CRUACHAN for all the experiences that I have had. And especially for all the laughs that I will never, ever, forget!!"

CRUACHAN's fifth album, "The Morrigan's Call", was released in November 2006 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Pagan" was recorded at Sun Studios in Dublin.

Sweden's Close-Up magazine has published its list of the top 20 albums of 2008 based on individual selections from 32 of its writers. It is as follows:

01. OPETH - Watershed
02. CULT OF LUNA - Eternal Kingdom
03. THE HAUNTED - Versus
04. AMON AMARTH - Twilight Of The Thunder God
05. SATYRICON - The Age Of Nero
06. TESTAMENT - The Formation Of Damnation
07. METALLICA - Death Magnetic
08. BURST - Lazarus Bird
09. PAIN - Cynic Paradise
10. TIAMAT - Amanethes
11. VOLBEAT - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
12. BLOODBATH - The Fathomless Mastery
13. MESHUGGAH - Obzen
14. IN FLAMES - A Sense Of Purpose
15. ALKALINE TRIO - Agony And Irony
16. MISERY INDEX - Traitors
17. DISFEAR - Live The Storm
18. COLDWORKER - Rotting Paradise
19. MOONSPELL - Night Eternal
20. AC/DC - Black Ice

Finnish melodic death metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW has issued the following update:

"Petri Sankala [drums] has left the band. The reason for this mutual decision is Petri's back pain that hasn't allowed him to play drums 100% during the past two years. None of us has bad feelings whatsoever and we wish Petri all the best!

"We'd like to introduce the replacement, Mr. Juho Raappana. In the past, Juho has played in many local bands such as IMPISH, CATAMENIA and MYTHOS. Having Gene Hoglan and Sean Reinert as his biggest influences, we think Juho is the best possible man to take the job. After all, fifteen years ago when we started, DEATH and CYNIC influenced us."

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW's new lineup:

Altti Veteläinen (growling vocals, bass)
Jarmo Kylmänen (clean vocals)
Jarmo Puolakanaho (guitars)
Risto Ruuth (lead guitars)
Janne Tolsa (keyboards)
Juho Raappana (drums)

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW recently finished recording a new single containing one new song and a brand new version of an old track. The single will be out in February. The band is currently recording its sixth album, which is tentatively expected in April 2009 via the Finnish label KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy. As was the case with the band's previous five LPs, the forthcoming effort is being recorded at Tico-Tico Studio in Kemi, Finland. The as-yet-untitled CD has already been licenced to Massacre Records (which will be release the album in Europe excluding Finland) and Marquee/Avalon (which will make the record available in Asia).

Finnish metallers THUNDERSTONE are about to start mixing their fifth studio album for an early 2009 release. The band's producer/guitarist Nino Laurenne says, "I'm getting ready to start mixing six songs now and the rest later in January-February. The new stuff is really heavy and also a bit weird once in a while, so it's going to be interesting to mix it. . . I will record some backing vocals with the singers from other known bands and also probably some guest vocal appearences might happen."

Video footage of the drum-recording sessions for the new THUNDERSTONE album can be viewed here.

THUNDERSTONE earlier in the year announced the addition of singer Rick Altzi from Sweden to the group's ranks. Rick has contributed his wonderful voice to many metal albums, most recently with German group AT VANCE (a band which he is still a member of).

August 2007 saw THUNDERSTONE part ways with vocalist Pasi Rantanen and keyboard player Kari Tornack, leaving fans wondering about the future of the band. The group, however, did not rest on its heels and did a full European tour in October-December 2007, recruiting vocalist Tommi "Tuple" Salmela from TAROT and keyboardist Jukka Karinen. The temporary lineup created a flood of speculation, which has been put to rest with the announcement of the band's new formation.

On the keyboards the band enlisted Jukka Karinen, who already handled the keyboard duties on the European tour.

The "Maidens of Metal 2009" calendar, featuring the girls of the Century Media Records roster, has arrived and can be purchased now exclusively through CMDistro.com for only $10. This is the perfect holiday gift or stocking stuffer as this calendar — which is limited to 1,000 copies — features brand new, never-before-seen photos of Maria Brink (IN THIS MOMENT), Kristen Randall (WINDS OF PLAGUE) and Mary Zimmer (LUNA MORTIS). It also features scintillating shots of Alissa White-Gluz (THE AGONIST), Anna K. (OPIATE FOR THE MASSES), Aya (UNSUN), Leeni-Maria (KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI) and Franziska Huth and Alla Fedynitch (EYES OF EDEN).

An eye-popping new e-card has been posted at this location. It features previews of all the sexy images featured in the calendar.

Legendary rock guitarist Joe Satriani has spoken to MusicRadar.com about his decision to sue COLDPLAY, accusing the Grammy-nominated stars of plagiarizing one of his songs.

According to Reuters, Satriani's copyright infringement suit, filed on Thursday (December 4) in Los Angeles federal court, claims the COLDPLAY song "Viva La Vida" incorporates "substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly".

The 52-year-old guitar virtuoso is seeking a jury trial, damages and "any and all profits" attributable to the alleged copyright infringement.

Speaking to MusicRadar.com on December 6, Joe Satriani recalled the exact emotion he felt when he first heard COLDPLAY's "Viva La Vida".

"The second I heard, I knew... I felt like a dagger went right through my heart. It hurt so much," Satriani said. "The second I heard it, I knew it was [my own] 'If I Could Fly'."

As it turned out, Satriani wasn't the only one who noticed the similarity between "If I Could Fly" and "Viva La Vida".

"Almost immediately, from the minute their song came out, my e-mail box flooded with people going, 'Have you heard this song by COLDPLAY? They ripped you off man,'" he said. "I mean, I couldn't tell you how many e-mails I received.

"Everybody noticed the similarities between the songs. It's pretty obvious. It's as simple as that — when you listen to a song and you say, 'Wow, that's a real rip-off.'"

"All Nightmare Long", the new video from METALLICA, can be viewed at Metallica.com. It is also available below.

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

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

DEMONICAL, the Swedish death metal band featuring past and present members from CENTINEX, GRAVE, REGURGITATE, INTERMENT, AMARAN, WORLD BELOW and DELLAMORTE, has issued the following update:

"On December 17 we will crawl into the pits of Necromorbus Studios in order to start the recordings of our second full-length assault entitled 'Hellsworn'. The album will be mastered at Black Lounge Studios in late January and revealed for the masses in April 2009 (exact release date to be announced).

"The album loaded with pure Swedish death metal darkness will include nine blasphemies such as:

* Baptized in Fire
* Gods of the North
* World Serpent
* Death Metal Darkness
* Children of Sin
* Bloodridden
* Bow to the Monolith

"The 'Northern Death Blow Tour 2009' — an 18-date crusade through Europe alongside Finnish TORTURE KILLER and Swedish FACEBREAKER — will kick off in Stockholm on May 15. Dates to be unleashed soon."

DEMONICAL recently announced the addition of Sverker "Widda" Widgren — also known for his guitar work with DIABOLICAL and as the co-owner of Necromorbus Studios — as the group's new full-time vocalist. His first "official" show with DEMONICAL took place on April 4 at Tantogården in Stockholm with NECROPHOBIC and SPAZMOSITY.

The band's debut album, "Servants of the Unlight", was released in April 2007 via Germany's Cyclone Empire Records. The group toured Europe with NUNSLAUGHTER and NOMINON, and took part in Germany's Up From The Ground festival. They also supported GRAVE on select Scandinavian dates.

Norwegian death metal tyrants BLOOD RED THRONE, who are currently working on a new album, are also working on a brand new DVD to celebrate the band's 10-year career. The new DVD is set to be included with a limited edition version of the new album and will feature an in-depth studio diary, documenting the recording process of the new album, along with an exclusive new interview with the band — and this is where YOU come in.

BLOOD RED THRONE wants its fans' input and help with making the DVD, so the band would like you to send in your own questions for the band. The best questions will be selected and asked in the interview to be included on the DVD.

So gather up those burning questions you've always wanted to ask the band — whether covering anything from the bands' 10-year career to the upcoming new album — and send them to d-olaise@online.no with the subject line "DVD questions."

BLOOD RED THRONE's as-yet untitled follow-up to 2007's "Come Death" is tentatively due to be released in May 2009 through Earache Records.

BLOOD RED THRONE's video for the song "Taste of God" can be viewed here. The track comes off "Come Death", which was released in Europe in August 2007 via Earache Records.

"Glorification of Pain", the debut album of Germany's atmospheric/death metal/rock band VALBORG, has been postponed to February 2009. The CD will be released via Vendlus Records and will include nine songs of nihilistic and painful dark metal with its roots in the German forests of the Rhine area.

Commented the group: "The songs have been recorded live in the studio to catch the true feeling of playing together as a band — an anti-move against the today's so-called perfect and soulless plastic music."

You can hear a new track, "Epic Journey", on the band's MySpace page.

The artwork for the album (see here) was created by Peter Boehme, a graphics artist had helped with the graphics for Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.

VALBORG has already finished writing six songs (about 40 minutes' worth of material) for its follow-up album, entitled "Crown of Sorrow". The group will enter Stonehenge Studio around December 20 to begin recording the CD under the same circumstances as the last album — live and using old equipment, with "no computers, no compromises."

"Crown of Sorrow" projected track listing:

01. Crown of Sorrow
02. Wisdom From the Vortex
Part 1: Perverting the Heavens
Part 2: Ancient Horrors
03. Thunderbolt
04. Crying Under the Fortress of God
05. I am Space

New Jersey metal titans GOD FORBID have posted a new song, "The Rain", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Earthsblood", which is scheduled for releaseon February 24 in North America and February 16 in Europe via Century Media Records.

"Earthsblood" (Century Media Records) 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, 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."

Legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE have released a live recording from Los Angeles via their web site. "Live In L.A.", recorded on the band's last West Coast tour, has been mixed and mastered and is available at NewTrouble.com.

"Live In L.A." (cover) track listing:

01. Intro
02. RIP
03. The Sleeper
04. Touch the Sky
05. Plastic Green Head
06. The Eye
07. Simple Mind Condition
08. Mr. White
09. Endtime
10. Troublemaker
11. End of My Daze

As previously reported, TROUBLE is in the process of writing songs for a new album for a tentative summer 2009 release. Tours will follow both in Europe and the U.S.

In other news, Trouble Inc. has opened a second store called the Metal Playground which will offer merchandise and music from some of TROUBLE's favorite bands. New products will be added often.

In a recent interview with Rock N Roll Experience, TROUBLE guitarist Rick Wartell was asked if the group was planning to record a new TROUBLE CD with its new frontman Kory Clarke (WARRIOR SOUL). "Yes," Rick replied. "We started writing and we've got eight or nine songs written and we're going to begin recording as soon as we get home from this East Coast leg and we are going to start piecing it together, so, YES!"

Regarding the new music's direction, Rick said, "I know people have said this a million times and I know you've heard this a million times, but it's pretty fucking heavy, let's put it that way! The music end of it that Bruce [Franklin, guitar] and I are writing is getting heavier and heavier...it's getting heavier and then we want Kory to incorporate his style to what we are doing, that's basically all that we really want out of this."

Speaking to Viewmag, guitarist Bruce Franklin of stated about Clarke's inaugural tour of duty with TROUBLE, "We had sent him some MP3s and he had the chance to listen to some stuff but it is not the same until you are playing with the band. We only had a couple of rehearsals before the tour started and the first few shows were a little rough. By the fourth show it was getting pretty good and from there on it just got better. We couldn't expect him to learn twenty songs at once, so we picked the most popular songs. We were hoping to do more early songs but Kory was latching on to the early Nineties stuff because it has the most hooks and is the catchiest material. It's probably easier for him to remember those. We did a setlist that was heavier in that era and finally managed to get one or two old ones in by the end of the tour."

Fan-filmed video footage of TROUBLE's July 9, 2008 performance at Slim's in Francisco, California can be viewed here.