According to VG Nett, the former boyfriend of GORGOROTH frontman Gaahl (real name: Kristian Espedal), 20-year-old Norwegian modeling agent Dan DeVero, claims to have received death threats from the black metal community after Gaahl publicly acknowledged that he was gay.

In an interview that was published in the latest issue of Germany's Rock Hard magazine, Gaahl, 33, spoke for the first time about his sexual orientation, stating, "It doesn't feel to me as if I've outed myself because up until now the whole thing was a non-issue for me. All this evolved very naturally. I feel how I feel and I've never made any secret about it."

However, not everyone reacted positively to the news, and DeVero, who first met Gaahl in early 2007, says that he has received threats by phone and e-mail. "I'm going insane, but that's the price you pay when you come out in the media," he told VG Nett.

According to DeVero, he and Gaahl are still good friends. They have also have also since become partners in an unlikely venture — a wholly Norwegian clothing collection for women dubbed Wynjo, which, according to Gaahl, is an ancient Norse word meaning "the search for happiness."

STONE SOUR guitarist Josh Rand has issued the following update:

"Our tentative plan is to start rehearsals for the new album in the fall of 2009, hit the studio at the beginning of 2010, and release around summer time. I have to say that all of us are really thrilled about having Roy [Mayorga, drums] in the writing process this time around. I've heard song ideas from everyone, and I have a feeling this could be the most diverse STONE SOUR album yet!"

In related news, Josh has been working on a new project called MOONSHOT. "It's a female-fronted rock band, and I'm pretty excited about it!" he said. Three songs from the group — "Blood Red", "Fedback" and "Riptide" — are available for streaming on the MOONSHOT MySpace page.

STONE SOUR's gold-certified sophomore CD, "Come What(ever) May", is available in a special edition featuring six bonus tracks, four music videos, and a complete concert filmed in Moscow.

Vocalist Michael A. Baker of progressive power metallers SHADOW GALLERY died on Wednesday afternoon, October 29, 2008 after suffering a heart attack. He was 45 years old.

Mike was a founding member of SHADOW GALLERY and for the past 16 years, helped shape the band's sound with his magical voice. Additionally, he made many appearances on rock records around the world.

According to a statement from SHADOW GALLERY, "Those who knew Mike best were moved by his gentle spirit, sincere kindness, fun nature and passion for both music and sports. He was a warrior in the studio, a true professional. Mike was our friend, our singer and our brother. We loved him and will miss him enormously, but he will always be remembered in our hearts and through his music."

Magna Carta Records last year issued a "best-of" collection from SHADOW GALLERY, entitled "Prime Cuts". The CD featured 12 tracks chosen by the band, including a previously unreleased demo from the "Carved In Stone" sessions ("Rule The World") and edits of two tracks from the "Legacy" LP ("The Crusher" and "Colors").

SHADOW GALLERY began in the early 1980s under the name SORCERER, changing their name just in time to sign with Magna Carta Records in 1991. It was a young band joining forces with a young label. Both were doing something brave and fraught with risk: They were making music that is complex enough to merit careful attention, built around a compelling but oddly non-commercial blend of virtuosity and emotion, and saying that maybe there's a place in the world for something other than three-minute songs. SHADOW GALLERY uses its chops to tell stories — big stories, sometimes so big they have to span across multiple albums.

SHADOW GALLERY's fifth album, "Room V", was released in May 2005 via InsideOut Music.

Atlanta's DAATH has posted a video tutorial (see below) for its new song entitled "Sharpen The Blades" which was made available for streaming earlier in the month. More information can be found on the band's MySpace blog.

"Sharpen The Blades" comes off DAATH's forthcoming album, "The Concealers", which was recorded with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA) and Mark Lewis of Florida's AudioHammer studios. A winter release via Roadrunner Records is expected.

"Sharpen The Blades" stream:

02. Exile
03. Silence
04. Dead Reflection
05. Hide Me
06. Fabrication
07. Saviour
08. Monsters
09. Cold
10. Last Song

The cover artwork can be viewed below. Also available is a seven-minute video "teaser."

BEFORE THE DAWN's most recent album, "Deadlight", was released in April 2007.

BEFORE THE DAWN's "Faithless" single, which climbed to position No. 2 on the Finnish single chart in July 2007, featured the title cut along with a cover of PANTERA's "Mouth of War" (including a guest appearance by Jone Nikula) and a live version of the song "The Black".

BEFORE THE DAWN's current lineup:

Tuomas Saukkonen (DAWN OF SOLACE, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY VIOLENT GENTLEMEN) - Vocals, Guitar
Lars Eikind (WINDS, DAWN OF SOLACE, AGE OF SILENCE) - Vocals, Bass
Juho Räihä (GLORIA MORTI, RIVERSIDE SYNDICATE) - Guitar
Matti Auerkallio - Drums

Götz Kühnemund of Germany's Rock Hard magazine (web site) recently conducted a revealing interview with GORGOROTH frontman Gaahl (real name: Kristian Espedal) in which the controversial black metal singer spoke publicly for the first time about his sexual orientation and his political beliefs. The chat, which appears in issue 258 of the magazine, was translated exclusively for BLABBERMOUTH.NET and appears below in its entirety.

For a long time GORGOROTH frontman Gaahl was deemed "the evil face of black metal." There was nothing anyone wouldn't put past him or try to pin on him. In his native Norway, he regularly finds himself on the front page of the biggest daily newspapers — as Satan personified or national bogeyman supreme. But now this villain of all people has outed himself as gay and reveals a few sides to his personality very few people would've thought possible.

Rock Hard: I think it's pretty ballsy that you've outed yourself as gay. I'd love to ask you two or three questions on the subject, if you don't mind.

Gaahl: "Sure, no problem."

Rock Hard: When I met you, we talked pretty extensively about an old JUDAS PRIEST live video that had made a strong impression on you. Was Rob Halford coming out a partial factor in your publicly acknowledging your own sexual preference?

Gaahl: "No. Rob Halford is a big musical inspiration for me, but nothing more. It doesn't feel to me as if I've outed myself because up until now the whole thing was a non-issue for me. All this evolved very naturally. I feel how I feel and I've never made any secret about it."

Rock Hard: But there are people that do not accept homosexuality. Isn't it true that you were in fact attacked by someone in the backstage area at Wacken [Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany]?

Gaahl: "That's something that went down behind my back. Nobody has ever said anything derogatory to my face in person."

Rock Hard: But King (GORGOROTH bassist) witnessed something and told me about it later (Note: there was a vicious brawl backstage at Wacken, which involved King among others. It was reportedly triggered by anti-gay remarks by a certain person who found himself in a hospital shortly thereafter). How are people treating you?

Gaahl: "Absolutely positive. I haven't felt any animosities directed toward me."

Rock Hard: But there are likely people on the right fringe of the black metal scene for whom you as an avowed homosexual have become an enemy.

Gaahl: "Possibly, yes. My idea of art, and black metal especially, is the depiction of honesty without compromise. I really don't care how other people react to it or the feelings it might provoke."

Rock Hard: There are people who were previously close to you that have contacted Rock Hard over the past few months offering "information" that would purportedly make you appear in a "whole new light." Since your homosexuality has become known, those sources have gone silent. Is there a connection?

Gaahl: "Yeah, most likely (laughs). It seems like I've pre-empted a few people. And for that I'm truly sorry. (laughs) But the information in question could also pertain to certain things that happened in the early '90s."

Rock Hard: You mean political things?

Gaahl: "Yeah."

Rock Hard: Since then you've openly admitted to having associated with radical right-wing circles back then.

Gaahl: "That's correct."

Rock Hard: Can you elaborate a bit more?

Gaahl: "These are things related to the past and the environment I found myself in at the time. In the early '90s, there were all these different youth gangs in Norway and one thing led to another. I was involved in gang fights and had false friends. It wasn't about any deep political convictions but rather about disassociation. Eventually it took on violent strains. I mean, gangs don't meet up to hold discussions."

Rock Hard: Would you call yourself a one-time die-hard Nazi?

Gaahl: "No, there was no political disposition — not with me nor any of my friends. But you had to profess allegiance to a certain group if you wanted to defend yourself and not get your ass kicked. I think we all — my friends at the time as well as myself — felt that way but some of them drifted off into politically extreme circles."

Rock Hard: Were there racially motivated incidents?

Gaahl: "It was all about gang affiliation. Who attacked first and who merely defended themselves is impossible to say after all this time. But there were definitely violent altercations. Some of us even had guns."

Rock Hard: When did your attitude toward these things change?

Gaahl: "It was a slow process that took years and not something that was triggered by any one thing. I've always had friends from different cultural backgrounds, hence I was exposed to different ways of thinking from the get-go. That's probably why I've never developed a deep set of political beliefs. But there have definitely been changes and an evolution in my thinking. I'm a different person today."

Rock Hard: Who are you exactly?

Gaahl: "I am I. I'm an individualist."

Rock Hard: Are there people in your circle of friends whom you'd call right-wingers?

Gaahl: "Yes, there are. Just like there are left-wingers. I don't judge people by their political beliefs. That may sound strange. The people I associate with are a motley crew and yet there is no violence. My friends have respect for each other just like I respect them."

Rock Hard: So we're talking about people who don't resort to violence when it comes to representing their convictions?

Gaahl: "Exactly. People evolve and accept differences. But now and then you do have to be patient with those you're close to (laughs). Not everybody always knows right away what's best for them. You have to give people leeway to experience things and grow because that how they might change their way of thinking."

Rock Hard: How are your right-wing friends responding to your being gay?

Gaahl: "There has been very little in terms of negative reactions. I'd like to think it's because my friends respect me enough to where that side of me doesn't bother them. If I was another type of guy, the reactions might be more drastic."

Rock Hard: You've been jailed several times. Did any of that have anything to do with your political or sexual background?

Gaahl: "No, absolutely not."

Rock Hard: I'm mentioning it because I forgot to ask you an important question during our last interview. When you talked about that "contract killer" that was out to get you, and whom you injured so badly that you had to go to prison over it, we never even talked about what provoked the attack in the first place. Who had it in for you?

Gaahl: "That was connected to my previous stint in prison. Someone whom I had caused trouble wanted to get revenge on me. But since he didn't want to get his own hands dirty for obvious reasons he hired someone who was supposed to attack me and in fact broke into my house carrying a weapon."

Rock Hard: Can you elaborate on what you mean by "causing trouble?"

Gaahl: "I was attacked in a bar, apparently because I had provoked someone with my appearance or something I said — someone with a reputation of being 'dangerous' himself. It turned into a physical altercation with serious consequences. I ended up in jail but the well-to-do 'victim' who had provoked me got off scot-free."

Rock Hard: Are you safe now from acts of revenge?

Gaahl: "I sure hope so. It makes no sense to be afraid of something you have no influence over anyway. Should it turn dangerous again down the line I'll simply have to deal with the situation."

Rock Hard: Sounds as if you've gotten rid of a lot of muck in your life.

Gaahl: (laughs) "Yeah, you could say that. I'm content all around with my situation right now. I love life at the moment."

Rock Hard: Would you say you're a happy person?

Gaahl: "Oh yes, most definitely."

Rock Hard: It's got to feel great: You are free and no longer have anything to hide.

Gaahl: "That's right. But I've never really hidden anything to begin with. It's just that I was never in love before."

Rock Hard: Never?

Gaahl: "No, not until last year."

Rock Hard: There is a girl who for a time lived with Jenny from Rock Hard in Norway, and she claimed to be your ex-girlfriend.

Gaahl: (laughs) "Then she lied. I was never ever together with anyone until last year."

Rock Hard: How old are you now?

Gaahl: "33."

Rock Hard: And you were a lone wolf up until age 32?

Gaahl: "Yes. I've just now reached puberty!" (laughs)

Rock Hard: Very cool that you talk so openly about these things.

Gaahl: "Well, that's the way it is." (laughs)

Rock Hard: You're a pretty strange bird, if I may say so. Anyone familiar with your image wouldn't think it possibly for you to have such an astute sense of humor.

Gaahl: "Thanks. I'm a strange dude, I know."

Rock Hard: Up until very recently, I had a totally different impression of you — and it wasn't exactly a positive one.

Gaahl: "Well, people tend to draw their own conclusions and create an image where other people are concerned. You always see the character you want to see."

Rock Hard: You sound very content and well balanced indeed. How is that gonna affect GORGOROTH?

Gaahl: "As far as my 'outing' goes — King was more nervous about it beforehand than I myself. He is glad that everybody's been cool about it. As far as the musical aspect is concerned — we've started work on the next album and I can't wait to write the lyrics for it. I already have ideas in my head but normally my lyrics just sort of 'happen.'"

Rock Hard: That's what I was getting at. Aren't you lacking the hatred to write the type of lyrics GORGOROTH is known for? Or are you tackling dark subject matters differently in the future?

Gaahl: "Time will tell. I take the view that you should always be moving forward and not standing still. It's gonna be different for sure but I can't say how exactly. A lot of what happens during the process of writing lyrics stems from the unconscience anyway. That is more honest than conscious planning."

Rock Hard: Isn't it difficult not to fool yourself? How do you know what originates from your unconscience and what comes from your conscience?

Gaahl: "It's difficult to differentiate indeed — but that's what the artistic aspect is all about. And I think I'm pretty well versed in it." (laughs)

Rock Hard: When I look at your overall concept — your provocative show, morbid aesthetics, and intellectual aspirations — I'm heavily reminded of CELTIC FROST. Can you relate to that sentiment?

Gaahl: "Yeah, even though I'm more familiar with the early CELTIC FROST classics, I know what you mean. We're pretty good friends (with them), and I'm gonna sink my teeth deeper into the last CELTIC FROST album as soon as I have some time."

Rock Hard: Martin [Ain] and Tom [Fischer of CELTIC FROST] were part of the reason why we decided to interview GORGOROTH for Rock Hard. They think very highly of you — and we of them. You can't be all that asinine if you have advocates like that.

Gaahl: "I'm happy about that. (laughs) I'm definitely seeing correlations between the two bands as well. We have a similar way of overstepping certain boundaries. I know Tom a little better than Martin but I see parallels between us and both of them."

Rock Hard: You just returned from Mexico, right?

Gaahl: "Yeah. We played two shows there. The fans were unbelievable as was the technical equipment – albeit in a negative sense." (laughs)

Rock Hard: Where do things stand legally right now as far as the name GORGOROTH is concerned?

Gaahl: "I can't say anything about it due to pending litigation. As long as there is no final ruling, both sides will continue to use the name GORGOROTH." (Note: Guitarist Infernus, the last remaining founding member, was fired by Gaahl and King last year but has so far refuses to relinquish the band name).

Rock Hard: Do you have a steady line-up now?

Gaahl: "Yes, we do. We'll make an official announcement shortly — it's gonna shock some people!"

Rock Hard: Positively or negatively?

Gaahl: (laughs) "Positively, as I see it. But I don't know how people are gonna react… It'll definitely be a surprise, and I'm excited about it. What I can confirm is that Frost (SATYRICON, 1349) will be the drummer on the new album. We view him as a full band member even though he doesn't figure in a creative role with us."

Rock Hard: That leaves two open spots in the band….

Gaahl: "Not open, merely unknown. I know, we come off as chaotic but we have everything under control. Believe it or not — there is a plan." (laughs)

Rock Hard: What else you got going on at present other than GORGOROTH?

Gaahl: "Working on an ambient album that's currently being mixed — really interesting stuff, in my opinion. Other than that, I spend a lot of time painting. I've become really creative lately."

Rock Hard: What kind of paintings do you paint?

Gaahl: "Hard to describe. They definitely don't have anything in common with GORGOROTH. People might think that all I'm painting are chopped off heads but that's not the case."

Rock Hard: Then what do you paint? Rob Halford in various motorcycle poses?

Gaahl: "Exactly." (laughs)

"Awake", the new video from the Dutch progressive metal band TEXTURES, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Dutch filmmaker Rob Hodselaar who worked on numerous documentaries as well as videos for Dutch artists as GEM and ROOM ELEVEN. The production was handled by David Leite from Hazazah.

For the video, the band received a generous grant from the Dutch tax videoclip fund which gave the band the opportunity to film a video exactly as they had in mind, with minimal budget restrictions.

The vinyl version of "Silhouettes", the latest album from TEXTURES, will be released on November 12 through Garden of Exile Records. The LP will be limited to 500 copies and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. The artwork will be printed on extra-thick cardboard gatefold jacket with golden foil print.

The vinyl will be pressed on three different colors in the following pressing:

* Gold vinyl: 75 copies (only available directly from the band and Garden Of Exile)
* Gold/black vinyl: 175 copies
* Black vinyl: 250 copies

The vinyl version of "Silhouettes" can be pre-ordered through the TEXTURES webshop at this location.

"Silhouettes" was released in North America on September 30 via Listenable/Koch. The band is planning to tour the U.S. in support of the CD during the first quarter of 2009.

"Silhouettes" recently entered the Dutch album chart at position No. 100. This is the band's first chart showing ever.

"Silhouettes" was recorded at Split Second Sound with Jochem Jacobs in the producer's chair. Jacobs previously oversaw the recording process for TEXTURES' last CD, "Drawing Circles".

"Awake" video:

Romanian female-fronted symphonic metal band MAGICA has posted two new songs — "They Stole The Sun" and "Hold on Tight" — on the group's MySpace page. Both cuts come off the group's fourth album, "Wolves and Witches", due in November through AFM Records.

MAGICA's video for the song "Entangled" can be viewed below. The track comes off MAGICA's third album, "Hereafter", which was released on October 19, 2007 via AFM Records. The cover artwork was created by Jean Pascal Fournier, who has previously worked with EDGUY and AVANTASIA, among many others.

MAGICA is:

Ana Mladinovici - Vocals
Bogdan Costea - Guitar
Emi Burcea - Guitar
Vali Zechiu - Bass
Cristi Birla - Drums
6 Fingers - Keys

For more information, visit www.magicaband.com.

German metallers EMERGENCY GATE have set "Rewake" as the title of their new album, due in Europe/Japan on January 23 and in U.S./Canada on January 27 via Silverwolf Productions.

The band will embark on a European tour in late January as the support band for KREATOR.

EMERGENCY GATE recently announced the addition of singer Matthias Kupka (ex-SUIDAKRA) to the group's ranks.

The band's last CD, "Nightly Ray", was released in 2006 via The Electric Co./ Universal.

Norway's BORKNAGAR has announced the addition of drummer Dave Kinkade (ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION, DIVINE EMPIRE, COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN) to the group's ranks.

Commented guitar player/main composer Øystein G. Brun: "We are excited to finally get a new drummer behind the kit. We have spent quite some time and effort to find suitable and highly skilled replacement for Asgeir Mickelson. Dave has proven to be a fantastic drummer, become a good friend and he shares the same passion for music as the rest of us. We are truly confident that this cooperation will contribute to empower the music of BORKNAGAR even more in the future to come."

Dave Kinkade added: "It is an absolute honor to be joining BORKNAGAR. Norwegian black metal has always had a HUGE impact on my personal influences and taste in music. I look forward to making the new record with them and playing songs that I've been listening to for years. As a drummer, I trust that my playing will fit well with BORKNAGAR's style and that I will not be letting any fans down with the final result."

BORKNAGAR will enter the studio in late January to begin recording its new album for a late spring/early summer release.

The band announced in March 2008 that Jens Ryland (guitar) and Erik Tiwaz (a.k.a. Tyr; bass) had returned as permanent members of the band.

Jens Ryland was a longtime member of BORKNAGAR and contributed to "The Archaic Course", "Quintessence" and "Empiricism" albums before he quit in 2003 due to other priorities in life.

Erik Tiwaz joined the band in 2000 and participated on "Empiricism" as a regular member. In 2004 he quit the band due to personal reasons but contributed as a session musician to "Origin" in 2006.

Greek melodic metal sensation FIREWIND will unleash its first-ever live release as a DVD/2CD/Deluxe DVD+2CD in November. Entitled "Live Premonition", it contains a stunning 22-song set filmed earlier this year in the band's hometown Thessaloniki.

"Live Premonition" DVD track listing:

I. Main Live Show (approx. 100 min)

01. Allegiance
02. Insanity
03. Into The Fire
04. Head Up High
05. Mercenary Man
06. Angels Forgive Me
07. My Loneliness
08. Circle Of Life
09. The Silent Code
10. Life Foreclosed
11. Destination Forever
12. Keyboard Solo
13. Guitar Solo
14. The Fire And The Fury
15. Drum Solo / Dreamchaser
16. Till The End Of Time
17. Deliverance
18. Brother's Keeper
19. Between Heaven And Hell
20. I Am The Anger
21. Falling To Pieces
22. Tyranny

II. Extras:

a) Documentary / Tales Of The Greek Road Warriors (19:49)
b) Promotional Videos:

Mercenary Man (3:27)
Head Up High (3:46)
Falling To Pieces (3:19)
Breaking The Silence (4:01)

c) Unplugged - MAD TV Sessions:

My Loneliness (4:05)
Where Do We Go From Here? (3:22)

d) Live In Montreal 2008:

Head Up High (4:41)
The Fire And The Fury (4:43)
Till The End Of Time (5:36)

The two-CD version of "Live Premonition" consists of the audio part of the main Thessaloniki show on two separate CDs, available for the price of one. The deluxe edition of "Live Premonition" contains both the DVD as well as the two-CD set in special additional dicgipack artwork and an O-card.

"Live Premonition" release dates in Europe:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, November 7
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, November 11
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, November 12
UK, France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Rest Of Europe: Monday, November 10

FIREWIND's European headlining tour will kick off next week and promises a live feast for all metal gourmets.

erman power metallers GRAVE DIGGER have posted a sample of a new song entitled "Ballad Of A Hangman" on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's forthcoming album, "Ballads Of A Hangman", which is scheduled for a January 9, 2009 release via Austria's Napalm Records. The "Pray" single will precede the album on November 28. The group's frontman Chris Boltendahl states, "We are very happy with the result. I think it is one of the hardest records we ever did."

"Pray", the new video from GRAVE DIGGER, can be viewed below.

Boltendahl previously stated about the band's decision to sign with Napalm, "We have observed the excellent work of the label in the past few years. Napalm did see the writings on the wall and is one of the leading companies, for example, in online promotion and marketing. They elevated older bands like ATROCITY to new heights and established newcomers like ALESTORM. Thus, we are convinced that Napalm will bring out the best in us, and in return we will deliver a masterpiece of German true metal. A storm is coming, the sea is rough, the coxswains are the veterans, only the ship is new and manned by an excellent crew who know their craft."

The band will hit the road again in January 2009, with ALESTORM as direct support.

GRAVE DIGGER's last album, "Liberty or Death", entered the German Media Control chart in January 2007 at position No. 30. This is the second highest chart entry in GRAVE DIGGER's history.

"Liberty or Death" was released in North America on January 30, 2007 via Locomotive Records. An e-card for GRAVE DIGGER's maxi-single "Yesterday", which was released on October 10, 2006, is available at this location.

German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will film a video for the title track of their forthcoming album, "Hordes Of Chaos", this Sunday, November 2 in Berlin, Germany. The clip will be directed by Jörn Heitmann (RAMMSTEIN), who has also worked on the band's video for the song "Enemy Of God".

Commented KREATOR guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza: "The script for the clip is amazing and 100% metal! There will be two versions of the clip, one screening version and another one that will hopefully set new standarts in violent video art!! Be prepared!"

KREATOR will release "Hordes Of Chaos" 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.

The new album 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.

The "Hordes Of Chaos" artwork was created once again by Joachim Luetke. Luetke designed the artwork for KREATOR's last album, "Enemy Of God", as well as past releases from bands like DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY and RAGE.

"Hordes Of Chaos" track listing:

Limited Edition:

01. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
02. Warcurse
03. Escalation
04. Amok Run
05. Destroy What Destroys You
06. Radical Resistance
07. Absolute Misanthropy
08. To The Afterborn
09. Corpses Of Liberty
10. Demon Prince

Bonus DVD

* The Making of "Hordes Of Chaos" directed by Stephanie von Beauvais
* "Awakening Of The Gods" live at Summer Breeze Open Air Germany 2006
* "Coma Of Souls" live at Summer Breeze Open Air Germany 2006
* "Hordes Of Chaos" video

Running time: approximately 35 minutes

Jewel Case (cover):

01. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
02. Warcurse
03. Escalation
04. Amok Run
05. Destroy What Destroys You
06. Radical Resistance
07. Absolute Misanthropy
08. To The Afterborn
09. Corpses Of Liberty
10. Demon Prince

LP (cover):

Side 1:

01. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
02. Warcurse
03. Escalation
04. Amok Run
05. Destroy What Destroys You

Side 2:

06. Radical Resistance
07. Absolute Misanthropy
08. To The Afterborn
09. Corpses Of Liberty
10. Demon Prince

A teaser for the CD can be viewed here.

According to a press release, "Hordes Of Chaos" is "a powerhouse featuring rigorous thrash attacks and KREATOR's familiarly intelligent lyrics about self-determination and the dangers of contemporary war propaganda."

"Hordes Of Chaos" was recorded at Berlin's Tritonus studios under the direction of producer Moses Schneider. Schneider is renowned for his fresh and exceptionally dynamic working methods with bands and artists such as BEATSTEAKS and TOCOTRONIC.

"We consciously decided on Moses as our producer for the live recording of the basic tracks at the studio," band mastermind Mille Petrozza explains. "This was the first time since 'Pleasure To Kill' that we worked in this way. The new album is a 100% realistic reflection of KREATOR's live qualities. Instead of exploring every little detail to sterile perfection with the help of computer technology, this time around we wanted to deliver as dynamic a production as possible. There can be no doubt that we've achieved our target in 'Hordes Of Chaos'." The album was mixed in London by Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, CRADLE OF FILTH).

KREATOR — Mille Petrozza (guitar, vocals), drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil, bassist Christian Giesler and guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö — will embark on taheir two-month European tour in January alongside CALIBAN and ELUVEITE.

Listenable Records has announced plans to re-release the classic first albums from Swedish metallers SOILWORK. "Steelbath Suicide" (1998) and "The Chainheart Machine" (1999) will be reissued in deluxe super jewelcases with revamped artwork and contain various bonus tracks. Out of print for a while, these re-releases are a "must-have for any SOILWORK fan who missed the originals while the various bonus materials make it worth for die-hard fans to get these gems again," the label says in a press release.

SOILWORK was recently rejoined by guitarist Peter Wichers.

The band will be on tour with ONE-WAY MIRROR in Europe this November and December. Shortly afterSOILWORK will headline a massive North American tour to begin in late January 2009 with DARKANE, WARBRINGER, and SWALLOW THE SUN.

"Follow Me", the new video from Swedish metallers PAIN, can be viewed here. The clip, which was shot earlier this month, features a special guest appearance by NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon. The performance footage in the video was filmed during PAIN's October 9, 2008 concert at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland.

"Follow Me" is the first single off PAIN's new album, "Cynic Paradise", which will be released in Germany on October 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to "Psalms of Extinction" (which was released in 2007 via Roadrunner) features "eleven gems offering a vast variety of styles and influences which are even new for PAIN," according to a press release. Anette Olzon makes a guest appearance on two tracks — "Follow Me" and "Feed Us". The artwork was created by renowned artist Travis Smith (AMORPHIS, OPETH, NEVERMORE).

A new BEHEMOTH track entitled "Quadosh" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the Polish extreme metal band's new EP, "Ezkaton", which is scheduled for release in North America on November 11 through Metal Blade Records. The EP will feature seven tracks, one brand new song (the aforementioned "Qadosh"), a live recording as well as a new studio version of "Chant For Ezkaton 2000 e.v.". Also included are live versions of "From The Pagan Vastlands" and "Decade Ov Therion" plus covers of THE RAMONES' "I'm Not Jesus" and the MASTERS HAMMER track "Jama Pekel". The EP will be made available as a limited edition box set that will include four picture disc seven inches, a BEHEMOTH pendant and the CD all packaged in a deluxe box.

"Inner Sanctum", the new video from BEHEMOTH, can be viewed here. The clip was directed by Mateusz "Mania" Winkiel.

Commented BEHEMOTH mainman Adam "Nergal" Darski: "Here we finally come with our brand new video…surprised? I fuckin' hope so. I'm still blown away by the effect myself. Why? 'Coz it looks like NOTHING I've ever seen in the metal genre. Lately it felt like we've pretty much explored every territory in the world of music videos, especially with our last clip for 'At The Left Hand Ov God'. This time we took completely opposite artistic approach…we went black and white, absolutely no effects, analogue film tape…and something we're doing for the first time ever: acting. I truly believe this bizarre video will show you a little bit different aspect of BEHEMOTH's complex nature. Watch and enjoy!"

BEHEMOTH's video for the song "At The Left Hand Ov God" and the clip's producers Grupa 13 were nominated in three categories — "Grand Prix", "Direction" and "Montage" — at the annual Yach Film Festival. The event showcases the best music videos from Polish artists, with coveted awards presented to the cream of the crop.

Swedish metallers PAIN, featuring HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, have issued the following update:

"When we did our first Russian show back in May 2007, we just thought people in that particular city were crazy. One and a half year later we know that Krasnodar was not a coincidence. Whole Russia is crazy, and one of the best countries PAIN has visited so far. We've started to feel that there's a mutual thing going on between us and the metalheads of Russia. Eleven Russian shows in six months last year speaks for itself, and there's going to be more of that, we promise. We were so frustrated when the show with NIGHTWISH in Moscow early this month was cancelled. That's why we decided that Russia will be one of the first countries we visit (after the release of [the new PAIN album] 'Cynic Paradise') that will hear the new songs live. Two dates are booked at the moment: December 5 at Club Tochka in Moscow, and December 6 at Club Orlandina in St. Petersburg. Make sure you get your tickets and your horns sharpened!"

PAIN's new album, "Cynic Paradise", will be released on October 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to "Psalms of Extinction" (which was released in 2007 via Roadrunner) features "eleven gems offering a vast variety of styles and influences which are even new for PAIN," according to a press release. Anette Olzon makes a guest appearance on two tracks — "Follow Me" and "Feed Us". The artwork (see below) was created by renowned artist Travis Smith (AMORPHIS, OPETH, NEVERMORE).

"Cynic Paradise" (cover) track listing:

01. I'm Going In
02. Monkey Business
03. Follow Me (feat. Anette Olzon)
04. Have A Drink On Me
05. Don't Care
06. Reach Out (And Regret)
07. Generation X
08. No One Knows
09. Live Fast - Die Young
10. Not Your Kind
11. Feed Us (feat. Anette Olzon)

"Cynic Paradise" will be available as a limited-edition digipack including a bonus CD.

"Blood Money", the second album from GUILLOTINE — the reunited Swedish thrash metal band featuring Nils Eriksson (bass) and Fredrik Mannberg (rhythm guitar) of NOCTURNAL RITES — is being streamed in its entirety at Terrorizer.com. The stream will end on November 2.

"Blood Money" was released on October 27 via Pulverised Records. The CD's artwork was created by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, VENOM, DEATH and POSSESSED, among many others.

"Blood Money" (cover) track listing:

01. Insane Oppression
02. Rebellion
03. Insanity
04. Liar
05. Die/Live
06. Skeleton City
07. Madness (instrumental)
08. Dying World
09. Welcome To Dying (Death, Destruction & Pain)
10. War
11. Our Darkest Day
12. Blood Money

A bonus track entitled "I Hate Society" is included in the digipack version of "Blood Money".

The band's debut album, "Under the Guillotine", was released in 1997.

In a 1998 interview with Chronicles of Chaos, Eriksson stated about GUILLOTINE, "GUILLOTINE plays music that is much more back to basics and rawer than NOCTURNAL RITES. It is so different. I feel that both bands are so far apart from what style and sound they deliver. It really isn't a task to be a part of both outfits. Making music is what I do and being in both bands keeps me busy. And when I'm busy, I'm one happy musician."

GUILLOTINE is:

Nils Eriksson - Bass
Fredrik Mannberg – Guitar, Vocals
Daniel Sundbom - Guitar
Efraim Juntunen - Drums

The "Rebellion" video can be viewed below.

According to The Pulse of Radio, MUDVAYNE's upcoming album, "The New Game", is one of two that the band recorded during the past year and a half, with the newer one finished this past summer and put on the shelf until sometime next year. But why not issue both at one time as a double set? Drummer Matt McDonough told The Pulse of Radio that the two records wouldn't necessarily fit together. "You know, the albums were written quickly and close together, but still divided by, you know, almost a year," he said. "And the experience was different. We were in a different place, literally, geographically, when we wrote them, where we recorded them, and they're definitely different records. I would have been disappointed if they would have been packaged together. I don't think it would have made sense. And I think when people hear the newest one that we just finished, they'll understand that."

"The New Game", due out November 18, was recorded last year, when singer Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett had some time off from touring with their other band, HELLYEAH.

Bassist Ryan Martinie told RollingStone.com that "The New Game" had "a bit of pop mentality" and "friendlier songs," while Matt McDonough told The Pulse of Radio that the album recorded this year was more conceptual and closer to the band's earlier efforts.

MUDVAYNE's first North American tour in three years kicks off on Tuesday (October 28) in El Paso, Texas and will wrap up on December 20 in Orlando, Florida. 10 YEARS and SNOT will be along as support.

Prior to the start of their Scandinavian tour, Polish extreme metallers VADER took part in a photo session at Warsaw's Progresja Club. The pictures, which were taken by Agnieszka Krysiuk, can be found at www.vader.pl.

VADER's new touring lineup is as follows:

Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek (guitar, vocals)
Reyash (bass)
Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka (DECAPITATED) (guitar)
Pawel Jaroszewicz (SOUL SNATCHER) (drums)

SLIPKNOT's "Dead Memories" video can be viewed here (courtesy of MTV's HeadbangersBlog.com). The clip was co-directed by P.R. Brown, who has previously worked with MÖTLEY CRÜE, MARILYN MANSON, CHIMAIRA and AVENGED SEVENFOLD, among others, and band percussionist Shawn Crahan (a.k.a. Clown). The track was written by singer Corey Taylor about the painful collapse of his marriage to his ex-wife.

The cover artwork for the "Dead Memories" single, which is due in the UK on December 1, can be viewed here.

Blissfulviolet of Beyond The Dark Horizon recently conducted an interview with vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe of the UK doom metal band MY DYING BRIDE. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: I just received news that the band has recently recorded MY DYING BRIDE's ninth studio album at the Future Works studio in Manchester. What can you tell us about this particular LP? I hear the violins are back…

Aaron: The majority of the music has now been recorded, including the violin, leaving just the keyboards and ambient effects as well as the final mix to do. Naturally, we think it's our best work to date and has a sort of "new-meets-old" sound; the violins giving a nod to our past and the new riffs and vocals showing the way forward. It is quite possibly the most depressing thing we've created to date, and all the more wonderful for it.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: The band previously used keyboards in place of the genuine violin sound on a few albums. Has technology offered some qualities that you were unable to find in actual violin players in the past?

Aaron: It has indeed which we took full advantage of. We always liked the idea of getting another violin player but didn't actually do a great deal about it, favoring more guitar harmonies instead, which worked wonders for us. Rather lazily, we were waiting for a violinist to contact us rather than the other way around.


Beyond The Dark Horizon: This brings me to ask about the bands recent addition, Katie Stone… Tell us about her and what she brings new to MY DYING BRIDE's table.

Aaron: She's a superb violin and keyboard player and a great addition to the band, young and attractive too which is surely a bonus. She brings a touch of "old school" back to the band with her violin; however, playing it differently to Martin, it sounds more modern. It's hard to explain really, kind of old meets new so interesting stuff.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: Back to the new album, how do you feel it differs from MY DYING BRIDE's last studio album, "A Line of Deathless Kings"?

Aaron: Would you believe it, it's even darker? I've pushed the vocals further finding more melodies, as have the guitars, and of course the violin has added a deep range of feeling. It's quite a fresh, melodic sound despite being utterly despondent.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: Lyric-wise, was there any difference in the approach you took when it came down to writing songs for this album?

Aaron: To be brutally honest, no. 99% of all the music was written AND recorded before I wrote a line! I got a rough mix on CDR, listened to it heroically all day — every day and wrote how I felt during the hours of darkness, candles spluttering, red wine at hand and I'd like to think it's rather good.

Canadian progressive tech-death giants QUO VADIS have posted a new track entitled "Equilibrium" on their MySpace page. According to the band, the song is "still a work in progress but we thought it sounded nice enough to give everybody a sneak peek."

QUO VADIS recently announced the addition of vocalist Trevor Birnie (DAMASCUS, ANNEX THEORY) to the group's ranks.

"I've toured Canada twice and I am eager to get back on the road especially with Canadian metal titans QUO VADIS," Birnie said in a statement. "I've grown as a vocalist, lyricist and performer over the past 5-6 years in bands and I feel that my experience and growth would definitely evolve with an opportunity of such honor."

MARTYR drummer Patrice Hamelin, who has previously done session work with DESPISED ICON and SENATE, will join QUO VADIS on tour and in studio. The announcement was the first in a series of lineup changes for QUO VADIS after the band's September 6 show in Montreal with DESPISED ICON, NEURAXIS, BLINDED BY FAITH and THE PLASMARIFLE.

Ass Buster! recently conducted an interview with guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie of the Danish modern metallers MNEMIC. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Ass Buster!: You guys are currently writing material for a new album. Can you tell us about the sound your going for?

Mircea: The sound we are going for is the natural sound of how we write music. This time around we have taken things easier, we have written in a relaxed environment, without management or label breathing down our necks. Therefore there hasn't been any stress when writing. Hopefully something good will come out of the whole process, but I guess you have to wait till next year.... it's too early to tell.

Ass Buster!: When can we expect a teaser?

Mircea: Sometime next year, before the month of May.

Ass Buster!: Any plans of a DVD release?

Mircea: We always wanted to release a DVD, but never had the time to do one. Hopefully sometime in the future, maybe with the next release. We have tons of footage we just need time to go through hours and hours of boring touring life, to sort out the best moments.

Ass Buster!: How were the METALLICA shows?

Mircea: They were the best shows we have ever done, music- and crowd-wise. It doesn't get any bigger than that, so what can I say?! They were fantastic!

Rad the entire interview from Ass Buster!

"Demodulated", the new video from San Francisco, California-based death metallers SOL ASUNDER, can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's forthcoming album, "Mechanize", which will be released via the San Jose-based label Pitch Black Records.

According to the band, "Mechanize" is "a concept album built on themes of technology fused with life. The songs all differ from each other yet conduct an unremitting style of rhythm and melody. As the songs were written, a shape became more evident to the style and we ran with it. Lyrics for this album became a concept of assimilating machinery and nature. Each song is its own examination of this convergence. The song 'Demodulated' suggests words of warning from a stagnant voice only heard encoded within a broken radio signal. The themes are programmed throughout the album, yet left illusive and dormant for the listener to conclude."

SOL ASUNDER is:

Mica "Maniac" - Vocals
Chazz McConnell - Guitar
Nate Vennarucci - Guitar
Sam Zuerner - Bass
Keith Grimshaw - Drums
Brian Kenny - Contributor

Australian band THE RED SHORE has uploaded four songs from its forthcoming debut album entitled "Unconsecrated", due in November via Stomp Entertainment and Siege of Amida Records. Check out the tracks "The Garden of Impurity", "Misery Hymn", "Vehemence The Phoenix" and "Rise and Fall" at this location.

"Unconsecrated" track listing:

01. The Garden Of Impurity
02. Misery Hymn
03. Slain By The Serpent
04. The Architects Of Repulsion
05. Your Chariot Awaits
06. Vehemence The Phoenix
07. The Forefront Of Failure
08. Nephilim
09. Rise And Fall

Check out the cover artwork below.

THE RED SHORE vocalist lead singer Damian Morris was killed when the minibus the band was travelling in crashed on the New South Wales north coast in December 2007.

The musicians were on the "Christmas Carnage" tour with U.S. band ALL SHALL PERISH and were headed to Sydney for a gig after a show in Brisbane.

Their white tour van ran off the Pacific Highway and rolled several times before slamming into a tree about 7:00 a.m.

"Vamphyri", the first track from "Archangels In Black", the new album from French neo-classical metallers ADAGIO, will be available for streaming on the band's MySpace page beginning on Friday, October 31 at 9:00 a.m. French Time (8:00 a.m. UK time, 3:00 a.m EST).

Listenable Records has set a February 2, 2009 European release date for "Archangels In Black". The cover artwork, which was created by Guilherme Sevens, can be viewed here.

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