"The Watcher", the new video from Norwegian masters of progressive/experimental metal ENSLAVED, can be viewed here. The clip was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden with Revolver Film Company director and Norwegian award-winner Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, IN FLAMES).

Commented the band: "When we got the chance to work with Patric and Revolver, we grasped it with all ten hands. His works are very impressive. We were first exposed to him through DIMMU's latest video — the whole thing was very professional and remained 'tasty' within the fantasy framework. Our previous videos have been do-it-yourself and we have never worked with special effects on such a high level before. The video is built upon a dual development: the band performing the song in parallel with a story line. The story is based upon [lead singer/bassist] Grutle's lyrics for 'The Watcher' and the story is written out in a co-operation between Grutle and [guitarist/songwriter] Ivar [Bjørnson] from the band, and director Patric Ullaeus. Without spoiling the surprise, the video story follows the lines of the lyrics — the individual's struggle for truth and liberation, about revealing the real chains of existence and breaking them."

"The Watcher" comes off ENSLAVED's latest album, "Vertebrae", which sold around 1,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hard Music chart and at No. 49 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The two B-sides from SOULFLY's "Conquer" recording sessions at the Porch Studio in Orlando, Florida have been made available for streaming at the band's MySpace page. The songs "Mypath" and a cover of BAD BRAINS' "Sailin' On" are available for purchase on the special-edition release of "Conquer" (CD/DVD or digital).

"Conquer" sold around 8,400 copies in the Unted States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 66 on The Billboard 200 chart This number is in line with the opening tally of the CD's predecessor, "Dark Ages", which shifted a little more than 8,000 copies during its first week of release in October 2005 to enter the chart at No. 155.

SOULFLY's new video, "Unleash", was directed by Robert Sexton, who has previously worked with MONDO GENERATOR, AMEN and ICED EARTH, among many others. The song is the first single from "Conquer".

Fan-filmed video footage of SOULFLY's November 17, 2008 concert at Rex Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania can be viewed here.

Earlier this year (starting around March), the Canadian branch of KFC (also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken), a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, started airing a commercial for its "wicked crunch box meal" featuring a fictional black metal band called HELLVETICA. The commercial shows HELLVETICA perfoming live in concert, including footage of the band's lead singer swallowing fire as part of the group's stage act. It then cuts to the singer at a KFC eating the "wicked crunch box meal" and saying, "Oh, man, that is hot."

You can watch the one-minute commercial here.

Norwegian extreme metallers IN VAIN have issued the following update:

"Our [upcoming sophomore] CD will include a video about the recording process, rehearsals and other stuff. We will also include an interview with the band and if you have any questions you would like us to answer you can send them to contact@invain.org. In general, the questions can be about anything, but we will not include questions which we find totally uninteresting for the 'average' viewer.

"Stig [Reinhardtsen] will enter the studio soon to finish up the work on the drums (not the actual recording of them). The final mixing, etc will be done in late December and hopefully we will be done by the end of the year."

IN VAIN's new album is tentatively due in February 2009.

The band released its full-length debut, "The Latter Rain", last year via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded at DUB Studio (GREEN CARNATION, BLOOD RED THRONE, CHAIN COLLECTOR) in the summer/fall of 2006 and involved close to 20 guest musicians and several guest vocalists, such as Jan K. Transeth (IN THE WOODS...) and Kjetil Nordhus (GREEN CARNATION, TRAIL OF TEARS).

British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH will release their new album, "Time Waits For No Slave", via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: January 23
Spain, Portugal: January 27
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: January 28
UK: February 2
France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Rest of Europe: January 26
USA: February 10

NAPALM DEATH recorded "Time Waits For No Slave" with producer Russ Russell. Drums were tracked at Parlour Studios in Kettering and guitars, bass and vocals were done at Foel Studios in Wales. The band then returned to Parlour for the mixing sessions.

"Time Waits For No Slave" (cover) track listing:

01. Strong Arm
02. Diktat
03. Work To Rule
04. On The Brink Of Extinction
05. Time Waits For No Slave
06. Life And Limb
07. Downbeat Clique
08. Fallacy Dominion
09. Passive Tense
10. Larency Of The Heart
11. Procrastination On The Empty Vessel
12. Feeling Redundant
13. A No-Sided Argument
14. De-evolution Ad Nauseum

Check out the song "Diktat" on the band's MySpace page.

The cover artwork for "Time Waits For No Slave", which was created by artist Mick Kenney, can be viewed below.

NAPALM DEATH vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway recently spoke to U.K.'s Rock Sound magazine about, "Time Waits For No Slave", due to hit stores in February through Century Media.

"Each album appears to have got progressively better and better," he said. "There was no great master plan, really. We're just a very organic band, very spontaneous, and we just try to write the best songs possible. If there is anything in the back of our minds, then I think it's that we always try to make each album differ without losing the thread of what should be there and I think we've done that with this album."

"I still feel really humbled to be a part of the whole NAPALM DEATH experience," he continued. "People consider us to be a pioneering band, and once you've achieved that, what else is going to satisfy you? I get to work with some pretty unique musicians that come up with riffs and material that still blows me away, and it was no different for this record."

The latest issue of Sweden Rock magazine features an interview with the Swedish black metal band NIFELHEIM conducted in late September during the group's Finnish tour with WATAIN.

"MÖTLEY CRÜE and MUNICIPAL WASTE are likely the worst bands in the world. Next to METALLICA," the group's bassist Tyrant (real name: Erik Gustavsson) is quoted as saying in the article.

When reminded that the day before marked the 22nd anniversary of the passing of METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton, Tyrant says, "That's right. I laughed and pissed on a photo of him. Speaking of which, when did that Dimebag Darrell [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist] die? Damn how I cheered! Fucking glamf*g. One - nil to NIFELHEIM. Too bad Phil Anselmo [PANTERA singer] didn't die too; that was probably the only time I wished PANTERA had actually played."

Video footage of NIFELHEIM performing at the Metaltown festival on June 27, 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden can be viewed here.

NIFELHEIM released its latest album, "Envoy of Lucifer", on November 19, 2007 via Regain Records.

NIFELHEIM in 2006 released a split EP with VULCANO via I Hate Records. NIFELHEIM's songs "Sepulcral Fornication" and "Raging Flames" were recorded at a Swedish studio in May 2006 and were described by NIFELHEIM guitarist Vengeance From Beyond (a.k.a. Sebastian Ramstedt; also in NECROPHOBIC) as "a total attack of satanic black metal." He added that "this split [is] the true synergy of evil."

NIFELHEIM's current lineup features former ENTOMBED drummer Peter Stjärnvind, who left the long-running Swedish metallers in order to concentrate on his membership in NIFELHEIM.

NIFELHEIM last year completed a Scandinavian tour as the support act for British black metal pioneers VENOM.

SANCTIFICATION, the Swedish death metal band featuring current/former members of GOD AMONG INSECTS, IN BATTLE and SOULDRAINER, has announced its new lineup consisting of Tomas Elofsson (guitar) and Markus Edvardsson (guitar) alongside three session members. It is as follows:

* Magnus "Masse" Broberg (a.k.a. Emperor Magus Caligula) (DARK FUNERAL) - Vocals
* Tomas Elofsson - Guitar
* Markus Edvardsson - Guitar
* Andreas Mellkvist (OLTUED) - Bass
* Tony Westermark (SOREPTION) – Drums

Commented Tomas: "Masse will arrive here (Östersund) on Friday to start rehearse with us and me and Andreas are in full rehearsal mode. Tony just have to finish his recording with SOREPTION and then he will team up with the rest of us."

In other news, SANCTIFICATION has been confirmed for next year's installment of the House Of Metal festival, set to take place February 27-28 in Umeå, Sweden.

The fourth in a series of video episodes documenting the recording process for SANCTIFICATION's sophomore album, "Black Reign", can be viewed below. According to the band, "This one contains the making of the song 'Storm' with Kristoffer Hell and Emperor Magus Caligula."

SANCTIFICATION entered Abyss studio in Sweden on July 7 with producers Tommy and Peter Tägtgren to begin recording "Black Reign". The CD was mixed by Peter and mastered by Dan Swanö.

"Black Reign" track listing:

01. Thirst For Blood
02. Black Reign (feat. Peter Tägtgren, Emperor Magus Caligula)
03. Raw
04. Eternal (feat. Peter Tägtgren)
05. Hear This
06. Dead Forever
07. Flesh, Bone And Skin
08. Trucido Christianese
09. Storm (feat. Emperor Magus Caligula)

Check out photos from the recording studio at this location.

SANCTIFICATION recently inked a deal with the Singapore-based label Pulverised Records.

The group's debut album, "Misanthropic Salvation", was released in 2003 through Remission Records.

Finnish metallers BURNING POINT have finalized the details of their fourth album, "Empyre", for a February 2009 release via Metal Heaven. A total of 17 songs were recorded for the effort — 11 brand new originals, new versions of "Black Star" and "Lake of Fire" from the band's debut, "Salvation by Fire", and four cover songs featuring "great guests".

The "Empyre" artwork was handled by Felipe Machado Franco who has previously worked with such artists as ICED EARTH, AXEL RUDI PELL and BLAZE BAYLEY.

"Empyre" (cover) tracklist:

01. Intro / "The Godfather" Theme
02. Empyre
03. Manic Merry-Go-Round
04. Face The Truth
05. Fool's Parade
06. Was It Me
07. Walls Of Stone
08. Sacrifice
09. Cruel World
10. Blinded By The Darkness
11. Only The Wrong Will Survive

The first pressing of the album will be a limited edition with bonus tracks.

Bonus tracks:

* 12. I'll Be Yours (KIRKA cover)

Guests:

Taage (KILPI, ex-ALTARIA) on vocals
Riku Kukkonen (ex-KIRKA) on lead guitar

* 13. Nuclear Skies (THE RODS cover)

Guest: David "Rock" Feinstein (THE RODS, FEINSTEIN) on lead guitar

* 14. Let Go (Q5 cover)

Guests:

Jonathan K (Q5, NIGHTSHADE) on vocals
Gabriele Palermo (TRAGEDIAN) on lead guitar

* 15. Gods Of Iron (RUNNING WILD cover)

Guest:

Majk Moti (ex-RUNNING WILD) on lead guitars

BURNING POINT has announced the addition of keyboard wizard Pasi Hiltula (ex-KALMAH, ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) who also played keyboards on the "Salvation by Fire" and "Feeding the Flames" albums.

BURNING POINT lineup:

Pete Ahonen – vocals, guitars
Pekka Kolivuori - guitars
Jukka Jokikokko - bass
Pasi Hiltula - keyboards
Jussi Ontero - drums

Spiritech of Australia's PyroMusic.net recently conducted an interview with drummer Frost (real name: Kjetil Vidar Haraldstad) of Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

PyroMusic.net: In what ways do you feel "The Age Of Nero" is an improvement upon "Now, Diabolical"?

Frost: I think it's basically better in every way. I think that production-wise... there can't be any doubt that it's our best achievement and I think that the songs are the best we've ever made, so no matter what we compare it to our previous albums, it's really our truly great achievement so far, with a capital "g." I feel that the album has such a strong identity of its own. I don't find it possible to really compare it to any of our earlier albums, but anyway, I feel this album both shows as much of the SATYRICON elements we've displayed to our listeners over the years, but it also shows a very new SATYRICON, a SATYRICON that's really not just taking a step up the ladder, but more or less taking a giant leap. There's the new and a more spark-y feel to everything.

PyroMusic.net: SATYRICON has come under a fair bit of fire for the last albums given the change in musical direction that you have made. Why did you decide to change direction and do you have any comments for those who have criticized the band for it?

Frost: If you have followed SATYRICON throughout its existence, you'll probably realize that we're a pretty creative band and no two albums are alike at all. There are huge differences between the two first albums and we have never in our existence just stuck to a formula and just worked with that. I think that "The Age Of Nero" is very different from "Now, Diabolical", actually; they're two very, very different entities, very different traits and feelings. In a way, with "Now, Diabolical" and "The Age Of Nero", one is very powerful but also being tame, with the other being a wild beast. They're hardly even comparable in my mind. As for this change in direction that you mention, what I would like to ask is, "Why shouldn't we change?" Why should we release albums that sound like each other and are different versions of the same album? I think some people in the extreme metal scene are so conservative, they want to hear the same things over and over again and to be predictable and that's impossible for us to really understand or cope with. If life didn't have an element of constant change... we have a SATYRICON signature in everything that we do, but on the other hand there's constant development and improvement. For each album, we feel that will reach the certain potential that we have at that point in time and each album is a huge learning process. What you should expect is that the band moves on, because we like to bring something new and evolve and that is what we do. I think that's the only right thing for a band like SATYRICON to do. We change and try to make each album a unique listening experience.

PyroMusic.net: Do you have any comments for people who have bagged the band for developing the way you have musically?

Frost: (Laughs) Well... as I said, most people tend to be a bit conservative and they often want to go for the same kind of predictable thing. They've heard a good album from a band and they want to hear that album being released again and again just with slight differences and modifications. We're not that band at all. So, of course, you get some reactions... but I think the time where we got the most reactions was probably around the "Rebel Extravaganza" period, but like then most of the reactions are actually very positive. But we encounter negative reactions from people that now want to hear "Nemesis Divina" again or "Volcano" again or "Dark Medieval Times" again, you know? They really have a problem with us not releasing something like that, so we just tell them to stick with that but if possible they should really try out this album, because whatever SATYRICON have released... "The Age Of Nero", the whole SATYRICON substance has never been better displayed than on this album. And I feel if they want to stick with the old albums then do that then, because it's not going to happen, we're not going to do version two of anything.

Fan-filmed video footage of SATYRICON's November 27, 2008 concert at Hof Ter Lo in Antwerp, Belgium can be viewed here.

Steve Markowski of Beyond the Dark Horizon recently conducted an interview with frontman Vorph of Swiss industrial metallers SAMAEL. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: You just finished touring the U.S. How did that go for you all?

Vorph: It was definitely great to be back in America, we didn't come for the "Reign of Light" album and we felt we had something to catch up with. Hearing from so many people that they've been waiting ten, twelve or fifteen years to see a SAMAEL show, kind of reminded us we should come more often to the U.S. We're now looking for more touring overseas in 2009...

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Give us more insight into "Above" and your plans on it being a virtual metal band.

Vorph: While we put the last touch on the album, we decided it will be a SAMAEL album. After 20 years we've tried to do an album that would represent what SAMAEL is all about and we did "Solar Soul". We feel now it is the right time to remember the people where we come from, and that's exactly what "Above" will do. It is like an enhanced version of our three or four first albums, maybe the missing link between "Ceremony of Opposites" and "Passage". With the "Era One" project we've tried to work on different influences, [and] with "Above" we stripped everything down. It is a metal album through and through.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: So you feel SAMAEL will be going back to its roots, in a sense?

Vorph: "Above" is a little bit of a tribute to our early years as a band and to our first influences. If you listen to our two last albums, you can tell our roots go beyond that but "Above" is a good résumé of what pushed us to start playing music in the first place.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: As for the upcoming album, what type of topics will be explored?

Vorph: Songs don't deal with specific topics this time, it is closer to the approach we had on "Eternal". But if I'll have to be a bit more specific about it, I'll say change, personal quest, sex and ambition are some of the pillars of the album.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Was the writing process different on "Above" than previous recordings?

Vorph: Not really. Xy once again composed all the music and I wrote the lyrics.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: SAMAEL album covers are very thought provoking. Is the album cover for the "Above" album set?

Vorph: I cannot tell anything right now. We had different ideas and I just saw the first sketch of it yesterday night. We are working with the same guy who did the "Solar Soul" cover and for what I've seen it might be our best front cover so far.

SAMAEL will embark on the "Solar Soul Balkans Tour 2009" in January/February. The trek will consist of 14 shows and will include support from Norway's KEEP OF KALESSIN and Slovenia's NOCTIFERIA.

In October 1988, SAMAEL released its self-produced seven-inch EP "Medieval Prophecy". 20 years later an official and strictly limited edition is now available on CD. It contains all the demos and rehearsal recordings prior to "Worship Him". Fully re-mastered and limited to 1,200 numbered copies, it comes as a deluxe digipack with rare graphics and liner notes and is only available through the SAMAEL online shop.

SAMAEL's eighth album, "Solar Soul", was released in June 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.

German thrash metal veterans KREATOR have posted a new song, "Warcurse", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Hordes Of Chaos", which will be released in Europe on January 19, 2009 via SPV Records (except in Germany, where it will be issued on January 16). The CD will arrive in the U.S. on January 13.

In other news, KREATOR has announced that it will unveil a 3-D stage, complete with a multi-media video set, on its next world tour, set to launch in January 2009. The band has been working hard with light artist Margarida Moreira to create the ultimate stage setup. Check out the image below to see the work in progress and to get an idea of what to expect.

"Hordes Of Chaos"will be available in three different versions. The jewel case edition includes the ten regular album songs, and the deluxe version features an additional bonus DVD with an atmospheric making-of in super-8 quality courtesy of a Berlin filmmaker. As a third option, the ultra-deluxe version comes with a t-shirt, a worthwhile photo book and an extended version of the bonus DVD, as well as the CD.

SEPULTURA singer Derrick Green, guitarist Andre NM (NITROMINDS), drummer Marcão (AÇÃO DIRETA, DEAD FISH) and bassist Ricardo Brigas have joined forces in a new São Paulo, Brazil-based thrash metal project called MUSICA DIABLO. Two demo tracks are currently being streamed on the band's MySpace page.

Formed in January 2008, MUSICA DIABLO recorded its debut demo at C4 Studios.

SEPULTURA's new album, "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.

SEPULTURA was one of the featured musical guests at the ninth annual Latin Grammy Awards 2008 on November 13. They performed a cover of "Girl From Ipanema" and a new song called "We've Lost You" from "A-Lex".

DIVINE HERESY, the Southern California-based metal band led by former FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares, is hard at work on material for its much-anticipated sophomore CD, the group's first with new vocalist Travis Neal (THE BEREAVED, PUSHED). The band plans on hitting the studio on February 1 once again with acclaimed producing team Dirty Icon (Logan Mader and Lucas Banker), who has recently produced CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, GOJIRA and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. DIVINE HERESY will also co-produce the new effort.

After a year and a half of touring with the likes of ALL THAT REMAINS, STATIC-X, ARCH ENEMY, CHIMAIRA and SHADOWS FALL, DIVINE HERESY has proven that it is a stellar live act and is a force to be reckoned with.

Commented Cazares: "With Neal now having a few shows under his belt, his confidence is coming across through the new material. The songwriting process has been great and the ideas are constantly flowing. Collaborating with Tim Yeung [drums], Joe Payne [bass] and Neal, all together hashing out ideas in the practice space, has been very therapeutic and enjoyable. We all have a collective desire to take our performances to the next level with this release to undoubtedly prove that we are one of the most devastating bands in the scene today. Prepare to be annihilated and stay tuned to our MySpace page for studio reports and new video footage."

Fan-filmed video footage of DIVINE HERESY's November 7, 2008 concert at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth, Texas can be viewed here and here.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN is tentatively planning on entering the studio in June/July 2009 with producer Steve Evetts (EVERY TIME I DIE, SEPULTURA) to begin recording its new album. A late 2009 release is expected.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's 1998 album "Under the Running Board" was reissued on October 14 via Relapse. The new CD includes the entire Steve Evetts-produced effort as well as 10 bonus tracks.

"Under the Running Board" featured the contributions of singer Dimitri Minakakis who left the group afer the release of 1999's "Calculating Infinity".

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN completed a U.S. tour this past summer with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

"Death Or Domination", the sophomore album from Finnish metallers ADASTRA, is available for streaming in its entirety from the band's MySpace page.

"Death Or Domination" will be released on December 10 in Finland and January 19 in the UK via Violent Journey Records. The CD was mastered on October 9 at Chartmakers in Helsinki, Finland by Svante Forsbäck.

"Death Or Domination" (cover) final track listing:

01. Locked On To You
02. One Chance
03. Death Or Domination
04. Who Threw The First Stone
05. Man Mk. II
06. Lost
07. Helsinki 1939
08. Wasted Life
09. Devil Knows You're Dead
10. The Longing

According to the band's official bio, ADASTRA is "a modern heavy metal band that derives its influences from a wide range of class acts. IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, METALLICA, IN FLAMES, BLACK SABBATH, DIO, MEGADETH, among others, have had their fair share of influences in ADASTRA's work. Old-school-style clean-vocals of Ville Siikamäki, combined with the rapid leads and heavy riffs of Olli Anttila and Jari Hartman and the steady pulse of Santeri Vauramo's bass, controlled by the precise drumming of Jussi Ruokolainen, create the music of ADASTRA."

ADASTRA's debut album, "The Last Sunset", was released in June 2007 via Violent Journey Records.

Guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish metallers OPETH has issued the following update:

"Well, the North American tour went great; in fact, I think it was one of my favourite tours ever! BARONESS were great guys and a great band, and HIGH ON FIRE...well, I love those guys. Pike was like my brother before, and now I feel like they're all great friends of mine. Can't say what my fave gig was really...the four biggest ones (NYC, L.A., S.F. and Chicago) all went fantastic which was nice, but I really think the whole thing went really well. Thanks SO much for coming to check us out! We love ya!!

"Bought shitloads of vinyl on this run, maybe a 100 LPs all in all. Some real nice stuff too!

"Coming home was awesome (as always)! Mirjam [Mikael's one-year-old daughter] started warming up to me after only 10 minutes and soon enough it was like I'd never been away. She wasn't shy at all. And Melinda [Mikael's four-year-old daughter] was real happy I was back. Got them shitloads of gifts, some of which I'd gotten from fans. I got two pairs of pink cowboy boots in Texas from a girl I've met before and those are Melinda's favourites now. She wears them ALL the time! Mirjam just started walking so maybe it's no good idea for her to try hers on just yet.

"Five days off back home and then off again. We had the Classic Rock Awards to attend in London, UK. Me and [OPETH bassist Martin] Mendez went and it was great fun. We didn't win though (Album Of The Year), WHITESNAKE did, so it was a good loss either way.

"It was pretty weird hanging out at this posh party with all these celebs and idols of mine every where I turned. Ozzy, Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood, Wayne Kramer, Jack Bruce, Slash, Gary Moore and more. We we're sipping champagne and as I turned around I saw Peter Green. I got shivers down my spine. He's one of my absolute heroes and I totally didn't expect to see him in the flesh ever! As I'd downed a few drinks I had to go up to him, pat him on the back and say 'I love ya, Pete!!' He just stared at me like I was Dahmer or something. Other than that I didn't really talk to anyone of my idols, but we hung out with our mates in ALTER BRIDGE a little and we're sharing tables with AIRBOURNE who were a funny bunch of dudes. All in all, a great night and the after-show party was fun too. Didn't get completely wasted or nothing either which is a plus (at my age).

"Next day we had the screening of the 'Roundhouse Tapes' DVD at Prince Charles Theater in Leicester Square. It was fun too. They'd (Peaceville) set up the theater in a way so it looked like they're premiering a new horror film or something. Looked awesome! Quite a few people showed up and they all seemed to like it as well. We stayed and signed some stuff after the film was done. Then we hooked up with Steven Wilson and Richard Barbieri and some biz folks and pissed off down to the pub for a few. Fred got a bit shitfaced and blew his nose in Mendez bedsheets later on, but that's another story.... We also did a little show in Aalborg, Denmark which was fun. Rarely play Denmark for some reason but it was pretty cool! I like it there and I love some Danish prog rock!

"Next, European tour....will be great! We have rehearsals tomorrow, but to be honest, we're pretty fucking tight already. I don't think we've ever sounded better, but...won't hurt with a little bit of practice."

Netherlands-based gothic/progressive metal band STREAM OF PASSION, which is fronted by Mexican female vocalist Marcela Bovio (AYREON), has entered the studio to begin recording its sophomore album, due in early 2009 via Napalm Records. According to a posting on the group's MySpace page, "To stick to their traditional distributed and de-centralized way of working, the band is making use of different studios and locations to create the sound they're looking for. Joining the team are renowned Dutch producers Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER) and Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES). The combination of their influences is just what the band was looking for: heavy and powerful on one side, atmospheric and melodic on the other."

STREAM OF PASSION's current lineup:

Marcela Bovio - Vocals, Violin
Johan van Stratum - Bass
Davy Mickers - Drums
Jeffrey Revet - Keyboards
Eric Hazebroek - Guitars
Stephan Schultz - Guitars

STREAM OF PASSION has been confirmed for the Monsters Of Mariaheide festival, set to take place January 17 in Mariaheide, Holland.

The band has posted several new demo teasers on its MySpace page.

STREAM OF PASSION parted ways with founding members Arjen Lucassen (guitar), Lori Linstruth (guitar) and Alejandro Millán (piano), back in March 2007.

The band's debut album, "Embrace the Storm", was released in Holland in October 2005 via Sony/BMG Benelux. The CD was issued in the rest of Europe and the U.S./Canada via InsideOut Music.

"At War With The Inferior", the new video from Swedish death/black hopefuls ZONARIA, can be viewed at Metal-Hammer.de. The song comes off the band's second full-length album, "The Cancer Empire", which was released last month via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman and was mastered by Peter In De Betou at Tailor Maid.

ZONARIA is currently on the road in Europe as the support act for Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON.

Formed in 2002 by guitarist, main songwriter, and vocalist Simon Berglund along with axeman Emil Nyström (both were only 15 years old at that time), ZONARIA has outgrown its local underground status with the debut album "Infamy And The Breed" (Pivotal Recordings, 2007) and gained Europe-wide attention through tours with IMPALED NAZARENE, MARDUK, PAIN and VADER. With influences ranging from HYPOCRISY to DIMMU BORGIR to ARCH ENEMY, ZONARIA's misanthropic mix of brutal riffs, melodic harmonies, maniacal drumming, and ominous synth lines was well received within the metal community and the band succeeded in shaping its own, unique sound.

Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will release a "deluxe" edition of their latest album, "Scream Aim Fire", on December 9 (Decemebr 2 outside the U.S.). A 91-second "sneak peek" at the exclusive Bullet TV material and bonus songs that are included in the set can be viewed below.

"Scream Aim Fire" deluxe edition track listing:

01. Scream Aim Fire
02. Eye Of The Storm
03. Hearts Burst Into Fire
04. Waking The Demon
05. Disappear
06. Deliver Us from Evil
07. Take It Out On Me
08. Say Goodnight
09. End Of Days
10. Last To Know
11. Forever and Always

Bonus tracks:

12. Road To Nowhere
13. Watching Us Die Tonight
14. One Good Reason Why

Disc 2:

01. Waking The Demon
02. Hearts Burst Into Fire
03. Drinking
04. Bullet TV Swiss
05. Bullet TVv Japan
06. Travel To Oz
07. Australia
08. Oz Tour (Main Version)

Jyväskylä, Finland-based metal band SOULFALLEN has entered Studio Watercastle in Jyväskylä to begin recording its second album, entitled "Grave New World", for a March 2009 release via Off/Firebox. According to the group, the new CD "will continue the dark path that was begun with 'World Expiration', pushing the extremes even further. The aggressive parts will be more ravening than ever and the softer parts even more haunting and dream-like. This package straight from Hell will be wrapped in the melancholic dark melodies that form the very black-blooded core that is SOULFALLEN yet in way unheard before. If 'World Expiration' gave you the chills, 'Grave New World' will freeze your spine off!"

"Death Of The Tyrant", the latest video from SOULFALLEN, can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's debut album, "World Expiration", which was released in September 2007 via Off Records.

SOULFALLEN is:

Kai Leikola - Vocals, Bass
Aapeli Kivimäki - Guitar
Simo Rahikainen - Guitar
Jimmy Salmi - Drums

We're really sorry to inform you that the rumours are true: Vince Neil of MÖTLEY CRÜE cancelled the whole European tour just 1 day before the tour should kick off... And since we're in this rock'n roll business we're not really surprised...Shit happens!!! BUT this can't stop FATAL SMILE from kicking ass in Europe, so please check the "Tour" dates for latest update regarding this. More dates to come... Many thank's for all your mails & support & we really hope to see ya all out there!!!

Peace. Love & Rock'n Roll!!! // Y, Blade, Alx & Zteff

As we have learned this morning, the European tour of VINCE NEIL got canceled! The offical statement for the tour cancellation refers to as the rejection of the Spanish promoter for the three scheduled shows in Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid. For organizational reasons this has affected the whole European tour. The management of VINCE NEIL thereupon decided to cancel the tour.

This decision at short notice has hit us like a hammer stroke!
All involved parties have tried their best to still let the tour happen, even the tour promoter didn't give up until the very last minute! Thanks for that!

Since FATAL SMILE were already on their way to Spain for starting the tour at this time, there was nothing they could do, but to take notice of this sad news.

We are very sorry for all the FATAL SMILE-fans out there. At the moment, we are trying to reschedule or extend the confirmed solo-shows of FATAL SMILE in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Holland. Thanks to the great feedback of the local promoters we will be able to add some shows and to prepone others!!! Please take the updates from our websites www.b-musik-management.de and www.fatalsmile.com

VREID, the Norwegian band formed by former WINDIR members Hváll(bass), Steingrim (drums) and Sture (vocals, guitar), has posted a new song, "Speak Goddamnitt", on its MySpace page. The track comes off the group's fourth album, "Milorg", which is scheduled for release in Norway on January 5, 2009 via Indie Recordings (January 19 in the rest of Europe). The cover artwork was designed by PC Groove and can be viewed here.

"Milorg" track listing:

01. Alarm
02. Disciplined
03. Speak Goddamnitt
04. Blücher
05. Blücher Pt. II
06. Heroes & Villains
07. Argumentum Ex Silentio
08. Milorg

VREID issued its third album, "I Krig (At War)", in Norway on May 8, 2007 via Indie Recordings.

VREID will team up with KAMPFAR for a co-headlining European tour, dubbed A Skogstur In Central Europe 2009, in February. Support on the trek will come from ISKLAD.

HEAVEN AND HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — has entered Rockfield studios in Wales, England to begin recording its new album, the group's first since SABBATH's "Dehumanizer" (which was also recorded at Rockfield) in 1992. An early 2009 release via Rhino Records is expected.

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."

Mark Tremonti recently spoke with Music Radar about the possibility of his former band CREED reuniting next year if ALTER BRIDGE singer Myles Kennedy goes on tour with the instrumental members of LED ZEPPELIN, as has been heavily rumored. First, regarding Kennedy's chances, Tremonti said, "We all have to be real hush-hush about it. We hear the rumors; we know what everybody's saying; but as far as what's really happening... I don't really know. Nobody does. The only thing I can say is that, no matter what happens next year, it'll be for the ultimate benefit of ALTER BRIDGE. ALTER BRIDGE is our number one priority. Nothing has changed that in anybody's mind."

As for a CREED reunion possibly going forward if Kennedy hits the road with LED ZEPPELIN, Tremonti said, "Who knows what can happen next year? 2009 could be one of the craziest years ever for us. Again, all I can say is that ALTER BRIDGE is still very much a band and we have every intention of carrying on."

Madrid, Spain-based power metallers DARK MOOR have set "Autumnal" as the title of their new album, 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).

DARK MOOR's video for the song "The Chariot" can be viewed here.

Stereo Warning has posted the first two parts of a three-part interview with METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Stereo Warning: Magazines made a big deal about you flying on different planes last summer in Europe. What's the travel arrangement on this tour?

Lars: We're flying home a lot after shows so we're travelling together. People have a tendency to focus on something that can be perceived as negative. The reason we travel separately a lot is we want everybody to be comfortable, not that we don't wanna hang out together. James Hetfield doesn't want to base in Copenhagen for two weeks he shouldn't have to just because I want to. It's about giving each other space and freedom to be comfortable in that crazy touring bubble. Guys that are content have a tendency to want to tour longer and be more productive. It's an investment back in the band. Sure, it can be perceived as overkill or excess and I understand that, especially with English magazines, but it's okay. You set yourself up for that.

Stereo Warning: Do you ever miss the wild old days?

Lars: I'm glad I lived them. I have a lot of great memories and I had a lot of fun. We had a lot of crazy shit that was going on. I don't need to live it anymore. A lot of kids that grow up around hard rock and metal have a tendency to be loners, outcasts and misfits, and I don't mean it necessarily as a negative thing. I was a loner. I spent a lot of time alone. I'm an only child and a lot of times in social circles guys can be awkward. When you're in a band all of a sudden girls pay attention to you, so you spend a lot of time chasing after girls, especially when as a youngster you were kind of an outcast because you didn't get a lot of girl action when you were 17. All of a sudden you are 25 and making up for that lost time. In some way it also can help give you confidence and identify who you are, because you feel better about who you are. But when you're 44, I've got a great girl, I've got three beautiful kids, I don't need to validate who I am anymore through that kind of partying or pursuit of being accepted or noticed. I've had a lot of fun but now it's not something that identifies who I am. I can drink like every body else, but mostly red wine not vodka tonic like it used to be.

Stereo Warning: What would you do without METALLICA?

Lars: I've got a whole laundry list. I'm pretty sure I'd probably start off in the movie world, most of my friends either make or produce or write movies. I'm not so interested in acting, Connie (Nielsen, Lars' Danish actress girlfriend) can do that. Writing, producing... directing is more challenging, maybe I'll leave that for later. But I'd love to sit down for 6 months and write a movie. There's not shortage of things to do, I'm not scared about what's gonna happen on the other side of METALLICA. I just hope I get to all the things I could do.

Stereo Warning: Any ideas of what kind of movies you might write?

Lars: I got things stored up in my head. There are more film people that come over to the house for dinner than musicians. It seems natural to go that direction.

Stereo Warning: You were right about Napster and most people would probablly admit it now, but you took a lot of heat at the time. Was it a PR mistake to take on those guys then?

Lars: No, it was the right thing to do but we should've been better prepared. But that's METALLICA, man, we just jump and we don't know where the fuck we're gonna land most of the time. And that's a beatiful thing to do but once in a while you also hurt yourself when you land. They were brilliant because they set us up against our fans. It wasn't true that METALLICA was suing the fans, we never sued any of our fans. We said please take us off the server, they said we can't do that, we don't know who's downloading your music. We said that's bullshit. So we called up some company and they got the names of everybody. It was as easy as putting milk on your cereal. So we said here they are, and they said Lars is suing his fans. They were very smart. I wish we'd been more prepared. It was annoying that it was so misunderstood and still to this day, 8 years later some people remember that "METALLICA is about money." It wasn't money, it was control. It wasn't supposed to be a big thing. The way I look at METALLICA this is a footnote. But to some people METALLICA are the guys that went after Napster.

Guitarist Colin Davis of the Californian brutal death metallers VILE has posted the following message on the band's MySpace page:

"So, what does it mean that Barack Obama has been elected? What can we expect? What kind of 'change' does he have in mind? A change from war with the Middle East to a war with Russia? Is that the kind of change we want? Well, it's the kind of change his advisers like Brzezinski and Albright want. What about a change from a free and open Internet and radio to a censored one where you could be arrested for 'hate speech'? Is that good change? What about a volunteer domestic police force that spies on you and turns you in to the authorities for 'green crimes' or for 'suspicion of terrorism?' Sound like a nice change? Or maybe the change we need is one where we are granted 'carbon credits' where we can only heat our homes on the coldest winters and are denied permission to fly or drive over 50 miles a day because of 'global warming' concerns. Maybe that would be a nice change.

"What in the world does this guy stand for? Can anybody tell me? I would guess that they can't. But I can see that he supported all the wars when he was in Congress, that he promotes a cap and trade system of taxation for the global warming fraud and that he received three times more money than McCain from Wall Street. So I don't think I need to hear anything from this guy's mouth, I can already see where we are going. Barack Obama is just another elite puppet like Bush and the rest of the criminals. The only change we are going to get is more theft, a lower standard of living, a worsening economy and perhaps, if were lucky, a new false flag terrorist attack and martial law.

"Please take the time to listen to this edited version of today's Alex Jones program [see audio player here]. His guests are Ron Paul and Webster Tarpley who discuss what Obama may have in store for us. In the last hour, Tarpley gives a very detailed and accurate look at exactly what all of this means and what we can do about it."

Italian female-fronted quartet EXILIA has set "My Own Army" as the title of its new album, due on January 30, 2009 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios in Ottmarsbocholt (near Münster), Germany. ILL NINO drummer Dave Chavarri joined the band in the studio to produce a selection of songs and ILL NINO singer Cristian Machado contributes guest vocals.

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

Check out the "My Own Army" artwork here.

EXILIA's sophomore full-length album, "Nobody Excluded", was released in July 2006 via G.U.N./BMG Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Unleashed" was produced by Udo Rinklin and recorded by the infamous Resetti Brothers (Jörg Umbreit and Vincent Sorg), with Jeff Collier helping out with the vocal recordings.

EXILIA's video for the song "Kill Me" (taken from "Nobody Excluded") can be viewed here.

After completing work on the material for their ABOVE side project, Swiss industrial metallers SAMAEL have decided that "Above" will no longer be a project but the title of their new album.

Commented SAMAEL frontman Vorph: "After 20 years, we've tried to do an album that would represent what SAMAEL is all about and we did 'Solar Soul'. We feel now it is the right time to [remind] the people where we come from and that's exactly what 'Above' will do. It is like an enhanced version of our three or four first albums, maybe the missing link between 'Cermony Of Opposites' and 'Passage'. With the 'Era One' project we've tried to work on different influences; with 'Above' we stripped everything down. It is a metal album through and through."

SAMAEL's "Above" (cover) is set for a winter 2009 release.

SAMAEL will embark on the "Solar Soul Balkans Tour 2009" in January/February. The trek will consist of 14 shows and will include support from Norway's KEEP OF KALESSIN and Slovenia's NOCTIFERIA.

In October 1988, SAMAEL released its self-produced seven-inch EP "Medieval Prophecy". 20 years later an official and strictly limited edition is now available on CD. It contains all the demos and rehearsal recordings prior to "Worship Him". Fully re-mastered and limited to 1,200 numbered copies, it comes as a deluxe digipack with rare graphics and liner notes and is only available through the SAMAEL online shop.

SAMAEL's eighth album, "Solar Soul", was released in June 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.