A German TV commercial for the METALLICA "Death Magnetic" deluxe "coffin box" that will come with a host of additional material for the group's diehard fans can be viewed below. According to the band, "The special edition box will come out the same day the album does and will of course include the full CD (duh!), along with everything next level cool relating to 'Death Magnetic'! There will be a CD with the demos of the songs, a DVD of even more 'making-of-the-album' footage not seen on Mission: Metallica, a t-shirt only available in this box, a flag, guitar picks, and a fold out poster along with a collector's credit card embossed with a code to redeem a free download of a special European show happening in September."

Athens, Georgia-baseed melodic metal band THEOCRACY will release its new album, "Mirror of Souls", on November 26 in Japan via Soundholic Records. The Japanese version will contain the exclusive bonus track "Wages of Sin". Release dates for Europe and North America will be announced soon.

"Mirror of Souls" track listing:

01. A Tower Of Ashes
02. On Eagles' Wings
03. Laying The Demon To Rest
04. Bethlehem
05. Absolution Day
06. The Writing In The Sand
07. Martyr
08. Mirror Of Souls

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

Sweden's BURST has posted a new track from its forthcoming album, "Lazarus Bird". The song "I Exterminate The I" can be heard now via the band's MySpace page.

BURST will release "Lazarus Bird" via Relapse Records on the following dates:

USA: September 16
Germany: September 19
Rest of Europe: September 22

"Lazarus Bird" was recorded at Studio Bohussound (STATUS QUO, ABBA) in Kungälv, Sweden. The follow-up to 2005's "Origo" was once again tracked with engineer Fredrik Reinedahl (OPETH, IN FLAMES, GADGET). Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "I Hold Vertigo", "We Are Dust", "Momentum", "Nineteenhundred", "Cripple God" and "(We Watched) The Silver Rain".

MÖTLEY CRÜE will reissue its complete studio catalog on September 30, 2008 on Mötley Records/Eleven Seven Music (RED Distribution). The catalog includes eight chart-topping studio albums originally released between 1981 and 2000:

* "Too Fast For Love" (1981)
* "Shout at the Devil" (1983)
* "Theatre of Pain" (1985)
* "Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987)
* "Dr. Feelgood" (1989)
* "Mötley Crüe" (1994)
* "Generation Swine" (1997)
* "New Tattoo" (2000)

The band has sold over 80 million albums, 25 million in the U.S. alone, with six singles reaching the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard chart.

Also released on the same day will be 17 of the band's classic music videos which will be available for download online via all digital music stores.

The "uncensored" version of MÖTLEY CRÜE's video for the song "Mutherfucker of the Year" can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's new album, "Saints of Los Angeles", which has sold 212,000 copies in the United States since its June 24 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD is MÖTLEY CRÜE's first studio album since 2000's "New Tattoo", which has sold a little over 200,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The band's last studio effort with all of its original members was 1997's "Generation Swine", which debuted and peaked at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, and has sold more than 300,000 units.

According to Billboard, the 99,000 bow of "Saints" represented the biggest sales week for MÖTLEY CRÜE since Christmas week of 1991, when its hits package "Decade of Decadence" sold 121,000.

Boston, Massachusetts death metal/grindcore band THE RED CHORD has reportedly parted ways with guitarist Mike Keller. In a statement that was released earlier today to Lambgoat.com, Keller writes, "A couple days ago I got a call from one of the guys informing me they made a mutual decision to become a four-piece. They offered little in ways of explanation but I can admit that in the past few tours I had grown apart from the rest of the band, both personally and musically. I was always kind of the oddball new guy of the group and was never really made to feel perfectly welcome. Things ended abruptly, unexpectedly, and weirdly but I hold no animosity. I believe I was ready for the next thing anyway."

He adds, "The past year and a half has been a great ride full of terrific memories and new friendships. Thanks to all the bands and fans, and anyone else who helped me out along the way.

"I'm not quite done with music yet, so please check out my future endeavors, including my solo project, MEEK IS MURDER, which I'm the process of turning into an actual band."

German metallers DOMAIN are continuing to work on their ninth album, entitled "The Chronicles of Love, Hate and Sorrow". Producer and guitarist Axel "Ironfinger" Ritt is holed up at the Meadow Studios in Darmstadt, Germany putting the finishing touches to the metal opera, which is based on the novel "Die Leiden des jungen Werther" by the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Released for the first time in 1774, the story "Die Leiden des jungen Werther" became a key work in German literature regarding the "Storm And Stress" period and describes an impossible love against all moral concepts, which provokes extreme emotional reactions up to the point of a spate of suicides among young readers of the novel.

"The Chronicles of Love, Hate and Sorrow" will be released in Europe in November and in the U.S. and Asia in January 2009.

Swedish all-female rock/metal band CRUCIFIED BARBARA will release a new single, "Sex Action", on October 15 via GMR Music. The group's second full-length album, "Til Death Do Us Party" will follow on November 19, 2008. The CD was produced by Mats Levén, who is better known as the vocalist for such acts as THERION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE and ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA.

CRUCIFIED BARBARA, which is currently on the road in the UK as the support act for BACKYARD BABIES, in 2006 released a special edition of its "In Distortion We Trust" (2005) album via GMR Music, featuring a bonus DVD containing 40 minutes of live footage and backstage material filmed during the previous year.

Belgian grind band AGATHOCLES will release its new album, "Grind is Protest", on November 14 via Displeased Records. According to a press release, the new CD "contains 40 more brutal and in-your-face grind tracks."

The following up to 2006's "Mincer" will feature the following track listing:

01. Grind Is Protest
02. Only Friction
03. Bon Apetit
04. Legions Of Consumption
05. Pathetic
06. Bang Bang
07. Worthless
08. Open The Gates
09. Paula
10. Big Flat Cages
11. Run Whitey Run
12. Ministries Of Arms
13. Contradiction
14. Desk Armada
15. Liberal Cancer
16. Ring Tone Rip Off
17. Porcelain A
18. Hype And Go
19. Bad Ass Farmer
20. Electrifarce
21. Axe The Tax
22. Voor War Het Baat
23. Religious Fucking Dope
24. Hear More
25. VMO
26. Bank(Rupt) Cards
27. Todays Solution
28. Infoverdose
29. Knights Of The Cash
30. Too Fast
31. Tension
32. Horns Up - Fuck Off
33. Not A Bit
34. Monitored And Controlled
35. Abolition
36. Chronic Death
37. Necessity
38. Solution Or Prob
39. Arbeit Macht Krank
40. Arrows Of Death

According to the a posting on the AGATHOCLES web site, the group's bassist Tony Schepkens passed away on August 1, 2008 at the age of 35.

A posting on the site reads: "Best friend, radical hard head and mince core noise DIY militant. When the Earth trembes and shakes, we know you are making noise in Hell. When thunder and lightning strikes us, we know you are doing noise in Heaven."

Reactivated hard rockers STEELHEART, led by vocalist Miljenko Matijevic, have pushed back the release date of their new album, "Good 2B Alive", to Novemebr 11 from the previously announced September 15. According to the band, "the reason for the change of the release date is due to the addition of an acoustic song added to the album. An incredible soulful piece with a full choir Mili put together [in] Charlottesville, VA with the most talented singers."

The tentative track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Samurai
02. LOL
03. Buried Unkind
04. Twisted Future (Orchestra)
05. Shine a Light for Me
06. I Breathe
07. Underground
08. You Showed Me How to Love
09. Good 2B Alive (String Version)

According to a press release, "Miljenko Matijevic has taken rock music to a whole new level. Fusing the past, present and the future together, he has created an undeniable piece of art. Matijevic's vocals are better than ever, every song takes you on a journey; a journey that paints a portrait of his life and in doing so enables the listener to feel the song as if it were his own. A voice full of passion, power and depth, this is one album that seriously rocks. The album consists of everything from raw heavy guitars to a full orchestra which was recorded at Sky Walker Sound. Written, produced, designed and conceived by himself, he truly has embarked on a new beginning."

Austrian dark/avantgarde/black metallers DORNENREICH have issued the following update:

"Our very first DVD [is taking] shape! Recently, we saw the cut of our Summer Breeze show and we are very pleased with it. We are glad to tell you that many of you will discover themselves on the DVD — the ten cameras recording the show paid off.

"We are still working on the DVD, but we want to let you know by now that this very DVD will be called 'Nachtreisen' (English: 'Nocturnal Journeys'). Soon we will be able to give you more detailed information concerning the entire content of the DVD.
Furthermore, we will reveal a big surprise for 2009 during our acoustic tour this fall."

DORNENREICH recently hit the road in Europe for several shows with special guest Devon Graves (DEADSOUL TRIBE, ex-PSYCHOTIC WALTZ). DORNENREICH's set included "specially arranged songs from the band's twelve-year-history of artistic expression," according to a press release. "Via guitar, violin, percussion and voice DORNENREICH [presented] their individual artistic vision being intense, timeless and deeply mystic."

Italian goth-metal icons LACUNA COIL have set "Visual Karma (Body, Mind and Soul)" as the title of their first-ever DVD, due in November via Century Media. The double DVD, which is a celebration of all things from the band's "Karmacode" album and subsequent touring cycle, will include:

* Remixed and remastered live performances recorded in 2007 at the Loud Park festival (Japan) and Wacken Open Air festival (Germany).
* The bandmembers' individual personal mini-movie features.
* All of the promo videos from the "Karmacode" album.
* Behind-the-scenes tour features filmed around the world.
* 10 competition-winning, fan-created videos.
* A link and key to the band's new album preview website!

A "limited-edition" four-disc package will include:

* A 5.1 mix of the "Karmacode" album on audio DVD.
* A bonus CD with the Wacken Open Air audio live material.

A detailed track listing and art information will be released shortly.

Commented band co-vocalist Andrea Ferro: "In the past, we've been asked a million times about when we were gonna put out a band DVD. Truthfully, we never felt like it was a priority, and we didn't want to release something just because the market was asking for it. The 'Karmacode' tour brought us to many different places around the world for the first time and we managed to record some of those great, outstanding shows, where the interaction with the people was just magic. This DVD is a beautiful reminder of where we have been in the past three years with all our body, mind and soul."

Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE have unveiled the cover artwork (see below) for their fourth album, "Esoteric", due in early 2009 via Pivotal Rockordings. The cover art, which can only be described as "epic," was created by Pär Olofsson, who has previously worked with BRAIN DRILL, PSYCROPTIC, SPAWN OF POSSESSION, and PERSUADER.

The recording process for "Esoteric" is nearing completion at Powernest Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. Studio blogs can be viewed at Revolution-Music.dk.

The follow-up to 2004's "Spectral", "Esoteric" is scheduled to be mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY) at Black Lounge Studios (SONIC SYNDICATE, SCAR SYMMETRY, THE ABSENCE, ZONARIA).

SKYFIRE bassist and founding member Martin Hanner previously stated about the upcoming CD, "Expect the traditional SKYFIRE sound, but also expect some new elements that we have never experimented with before. We also cannot wait to work with Jonas Kjellgren, who will be mixing and mastering the new record. He is one of the most talented up-and-coming producers in metal right now, and we are certain that he will take SKYFIRE's sound to the next level!"

"Revolution", the new video from Germany's SINNER, can be viewed here. The clip was directed by SINNER's longtime collaborator Katja Piolka in Stuttgart, Germany.

Another new SINNER track, entitled "Heart Of Darkness", was recently posted on the group's MySpace page. The song comes off the veteran German metal oufit's new album, "Crash & Burn", which is scheduled for a September 19 release in Germany via AFM Records (September 22 in the rest of Europe and October 13 in North America). The CD was produced by Mat Sinner and Henny Wolter at the House Of Music studios features guest appearances by Dirty Sanchez (percussion), Dennis Ward (backing vocals, percussion) and Nena (backing vocals). The limited-edition digipack version of the album will include two bonus tracks — "One Night Only" (written by Mat Sinner and Magnus Karlsson) and "Fast Decision 2008" — and the video for the song "Revolution". According to a press release, "Fast Decision 2008" was "created under bizarre circumstances, as AFM Records A&R representant Markus and drummer Klaus forced Mat in the studio, to record a new version of the forgotten jewel again. Mat was irritated about their sick idea first, but after some shots of booze, Mat agreed to sing this song for one last time."

The final track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Crash & Burn (Mat Sinner/Igor Gianloa)
02. Break The Silence (Mat Sinner/Igor Gianola)
03. The Dog (Mat Sinner/Henny Wolter)
04. Heart Of Darkness (Mat Sinner/Magnus Karlsson)
05. Revolution (Mat Sinner/Henny Wolter)
06. Unbreakable (Mat Sinner/Igor Gianola)
07. Fist To Face (Mat Sinner/Henny Wolter)
08. Until It Hurts (Mat Sinner/Henny Wolter)
09. Little Head (Butch Walker)
10. Connection (Mat Sinner/Henny Wolter)
11. Like A Rock (Mat Sinner/Henny Wolter/Tom Naumann)

MetalUniverse.net has posted high-quality photos of NIGHTWISH's September 1, 2008 sold-out performance in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

NIGHTWISH has just released a digital-only collection of demos and B-sides titled "The Sound of Nightwish Reborn", available through all digital service providers. This release, which clocks in at nearly 70 minutes of music, retains "must-have" status for all NIGHTWISH diehards, since it includes a bevy of exclusive material, such as demo versions of songs from the "Dark Passion Play" sessions that were recorded prior to singer Anette Olzon joining the band and that feature Marco Tapani Hietala handling the vocals, as well as B-sides.

The track listing for "The Sound of Nightwish Reborn" is as follows.

* "Eva" (demo version) - Demo session, pre-album +
* "Reach" ("Amaranth" demo) - Demo session, pre-album +
* "While Your Lips Are Still Red" - B-side, pre-album
* "Escapist" - B-side, Album session
* "The Poet and The Pendulum" - Demo version, pre-album +
* "Bye Bye Beautiful (DJ Orkidea remix)" - Album session
* "Meadows of Heaven" - Orchestral version, album session
* "Amaranth" - Orchestral version, album session
* "The Escapist" - Instrumental Version, album session

+ Pre-Olzon demo versions.

"Down From The Sky", the new video from Florida metallers TRIVIUM, can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by director Ramon Boutviseth.

Guitarist Corey Beaulieu previously told Rock Sound magazine: "We want to make a video that will crush every single music video we have ever made. We want this video to capture our energy and establish us as a bunch of hot, tanned guys from Florida with baby arms in our pants."

According to MTV, Boutviseth got his big break when he won PAPA ROACH's "Make Your Own 'Forever' Video" contest in June 2007. While the ROACH had already shot their own performance video, they were so taken by his submission they asked him to mix the live footage with his original storyline. Boutviseth has also shot videos for TRIVIUM's "Becoming the Dragon", SANCTITY's "Beneath the Machine" and "Beloved Killer", SEEMLESS' "Cast No Shadow" and DAYLIGHT DIES' "Lies that Bind".

"Shogun" track listing:

01. Kirisute Gomen
02. Torn Between Scylla And Charybdis
03. Down From The Sky
04. Insurrection
05. Into The Mouth Of Hell We March
06. Throes Of Perdition
07. He Who Spawned the Furies
08. Of Prometheus And The Crucifix
09. The Calamity
10. Like Callisto To A Star In Heaven
11. Shogun

MIDNATTSOL — the German-Norwegian band featuring vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes (the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine) — has issued the following update:

"It is a great pleasure for us to announce that we have finally found a new guitarist for MIDNATTSOL. We have been having a good feeling about it for a while now, but latest after our gig on the Summer Breeze festival [on August 15 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany], it was clear:

"We welcome Fabian Pospiech in the MIDNATTSOL family!!

"We are sure that Fabian is the right new guitarist for MIDNATTSOL. He certainly gives the band a lot through his amazing musical skills and his cheerful personality.

"Thanks a lot to everyone who applied for this position. We got so impressed by the fact that guitarists from the whole world were sending us their applications! We are very sorry if we haven't got the chance to thank each of you individually, so on this place: Thank you all so much for your application and your interest in MIDNATTSOL, it means a lot to us!"

MIDNATTSOL founding guitarist Christian Hector left the band in May to concentrate on his personal life and his doom metal act AHAB.

MIDNATTSOL's second album, "Nordlys" (translated: Northern Light), was released in March via Napalm Records. The CD was mixed by Tue Madsen and was mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland with Mika Jusilla.

MIDNATTSOL's debut album, "Where Twilight Dwells", was released in 2005 via Napalm Records.

Former VADER bassist Marcin "Novy" Nowak has issued the following update:

"As most of you already know, I have finished my cooperation with VADER immediately after the European tour. I'm very sorry that this has had to happened after five years of my commitment. The decision that I have made was caused by the recent decisions being made within the band for some time now. I have not rushed with making my decision either.

"At this point, I would like to thank very much all my fans as well as all fans of VADER for all the support, respect and understanding for my decision. Thank you all for all the support and I ask for even more, as my music career is not finished...it actually started all over again. That's why at this point I'm telling you all: See you all live in the near future.... As always, you can expect me to go all out for you. Where and how...I will post soon!!"

Novy has more than 15 years of playing experience as a member of such bands as VADER, BEHEMOTH and DEVILYN as well as multiple projects like DIES IRAE, SPINAL CORD, CRUCIFIED MORTALS, CONDEMNATION and more.

For more information, visit www.novy-bass.com.

"Forgiven", the new video from the Dutch female-fronted goth rock band WITHIN TEMPTATION, can be viewed here.

WITHIN TEMPTATION has just released the "Forgiven" single. The track listing is as follows:

01. Forgiven (Single version)
02. Forgiven (Album version)
03. The Howling (Live in Eindhoven Nov. 2007)
04. Hand Of Sorrow (Live in Eindhoven Nov. 2007)
05. The Heart Of Everything (Live in Eindhoven Nov. 2007)

Check out the cover artwork here.

WITHIN TEMPTATION will release a brand new double-DVD, titled "Black Symphony", on September 22. It will also be available as a double-CD and a special Blu-Ray disc.

The band's most ambitious staging to date, Black Symphony was a unique concert at Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena on February 7, 2008. Sold out months in advance, the show featured WITHIN TEMPTATION performing to 10,000 fans with the 60-piece Metropole Orchestra and a 20-voice classical choir, as well as on-stage stilt performers, costume changes, and an array of stunning pyrotechnic and lighting effects. The colossal production extended to Europe's largest video screen (a massive 400 sqm), reaching across the entire width of the stage, and 14 full HD cameras. Special guests on the night included Keith Caputo (LIFE OF AGONY), Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-THE GATHERING), and George Oosthoek (ORPHANAGE).

In addition to the Rotterdam concert, a plethora of bonus content and extensive behind the scenes footage will be included. Although full details will be made available at a later date, it is likely to feature the band's 2007 year-end show at the Beursgebouw in Eindhoven, of which one highlight was an exclusive acoustic set.

The video for METALLICA's new single, "The Day That Never Comes", can be viewed here. The clip was shot at the end of July in Acton, California (about an hour's drive north of Los Angeles).

METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield told MTV.com that the video isn't making any lofty political statements about the war in Iraq. Instead, it's a statement on humanity, helmed by acclaimed Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, who, along with Lars von Trier, co-founded the Dogme 95 movement in filmmaking. Hetfield said that when he was writing the song's lyrics, he never envisioned the video would look anything like this.

"That's the beauty, I think, of writing vague but powerful lyrics — that someone like a movie director can interpret it in his own way and obviously, someone creative is able to take the metaphors and apply them to whatever he needs in his own life," the frontman explained to MTV.com. "The main [theme of the video] is the human element of forgiveness and someone doing you wrong, you feeling resentment and you being able to see through that in the next situation that might be similar and not take your rage or resentment out on the next person and basically keep spreading the disease of that through life."

He added, "The one thing that I wasn't keen on here was Metallica plugging into a modern war or a current event [that] might be construed as some sort of political statement on our part. There are so many celebrities that soapbox their opinions, and people believe it's more valid because they're popular. For us, people are people — you should all have your own opinion. We are hopefully putting the human element in what is an unfortunate part of life. There are people over there dealing with situations like this, and we're showing the human part of being there.

"It's the forgiveness part — that is key," he continued. "METALLICA has never plugged into any current event visually, but this one is kind of a hotbed. People have very high opinions about this war, and we're trying to cut through all of that. The politics and the religion tend to separate people, and what we're trying to do is bring it together with the common thread of resentment and forgiveness."

METALLICA's new album, "Death Magnetic", is scheduled for release on September 12.

Legendary Swedish guitarist YNGWIE MALMSTEEN will release his latest studio album, "Perpetual Flame", on October 14, 2008. The CD will be the first-ever Yngwie effort to be released via Rising Force Records (distributed via Koch) and it will mark the debut of Malmsteen's new singer, ex-JUDAS PRIEST/ICED EARTH frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens.

Featuring twelve tracks of "pure six-string metallic bliss" (which stretches to almost 70 minutes total), the album was produced and engineered by Yngwie himself, and mixed by Roy Z (who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST and BRUCE DICKINSON, among others). Joining Yngwie and Ripper on the album are keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Patrick Johansson (Yngwie contributed bass, additional keyboards, and vocals, as well), but on tour, Michael Troy will supply keyboards, and Bjorn Englen will be laying down the bass. A supporting tour of the U.S. and Canada is slated to run through all of October.

In addition to the arrival of "Perpetual Flame" in October, another career highlight is slated for that same month — Yngwie will be inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk on Monday, October 13 in Los Angeles. A new Fender/Yngwie Malmsteen custom shop guitar will also be unveiled on November 28 (with a limited run of 100 instruments) and there will be a slew of CD reissues of Yngwie classics to soon be announced.

"Perpetual Flame" track listing:

01. Death Dealer
02. Damnation Game
03. Live to Fight (Another Day)
04. Red Devil
05. Four Horsemen (Of the Apocalypse)
06. Priest of the Unholy
07. Be Careful What You Wish For
08. Caprici Di Diablo
09. Lament
10. Magic City
11. Eleventh Hour
12. Heavy Heart

Norwegian black metal band SATYRICON will release its new album, "The Age Of Nero", on November 3 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded in part at Sound City studios in Van Nuys, California, where METALLICA recently recorded its forthcoming LP.

"The Age Of Nero" (cover) track listing:

01. Commando
02. The Wolfpack
03. Black Crow On A Tombstone
04. Die By My Hand
05. My Skin Is Cold (album version)
06. The Sign Of The Trident
07. Last Man Standing
08. Den Siste

When asked about the involvement of producer Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) in SATYRICON's new CD, the group's vocalist Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven recently told Norway's VG newspaper, "Joe has been a technician on practically the whole project. There might have been some misunderstandings in the Norwegian media about his role — it is me who is the producer; Joe's role is to know which buttons to push to create the sound that I want."

Speaking about the first time he played the new album for Roadrunner, Satyr said, "I had nothing to say to them. I just played the album loud, and thought that if they they don't like it, it's their problem. I am so sure about what we have done this time that I don't think about changing a single thing. The door is closed, and we are so much on the right path, that we are not turning eother left or right on this. But they thought it was really good."

A European headlining tour will follow beginning on November 12 in Stavanger, Norway and ending in Hamburg, Germany on December 20. Opening all shows will be up-and-coming UK thrashers EVILE.

SATYRICON will support CRADLE OF FILTH on a North American tour in January/February.

As previously reported, SATYRICON has recruited two new members for its live shows. The rhythm guitar is now handled by French axeman Gildas Le Pape, who has been playing black and thrash metal, as well as jazz, for quite a few years. The band's new touring bassist is Victor Brandt (Sweden) from the death metal band DOMINION and TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER. Victor Brandt can also be heard on the new SATYRICON EP "My Skin Is Cold".

A previously unreleased SATYRICON song, "My Skin Is Cold", is included on the band's new EP of the same name, which was issued on June 2 in most of Europe.

"My Skin Is Cold" was released as a seven-inch gatefold vinyl single including a five-track CD. This is the only physical version of the EP and the packaging is said to be "truly one of a kind!"

The EP was relased via Roadrunner Records worldwide, except in Norway, where it came out through SATYRICON's new partner, Indie Recordings.

Reunited progressive metallers CYNIC — whose 1993 album "Focus" is regarded as a landmark release in the field of technical/progressive metal — will release their new album, "Traced In Air" on October 28 via Season of Mist Records (one day earlier internationally). Returning from the "Focus" era for the new eight-song, 35-minute effort are are founding members Paul Masvidal (guitars/clean vocals) and Sean Reinert (drums) along with Sean Malone (bass), and joining the band in the studio is newcomer Tymon Kruidenier (guitars/growls). The band recorded the effort at a California studio with producer Warren Riker (DOWN, SANTANA).

Commented Masvidal: "We're thrilled to share the new CYNIC alien seedling with the world. I trust that this magical plant will be watered well and tended to. The roots are intact, now the branches get to soar high into the sky and provide shade for those of us stressed about current weather conditions. We've all been on this journey together. It's time we tell a new story. One of my favorite thinkers Ralph Waldo Emerson said: 'We live amid surfaces, and the true art is to skate well on them'. Well it's time, we let the dance begin!"

The cover artwork for "Demonic Art", the new album from Swedish thrashers DARKANE, can be viewed below. Due in Europe on October 24 via via Nuclear Blast Records, the will be available in limited digipack format with exclusive bonus material.

According to the band, "12 songs ended up on the final version, with about 48 minutes of pure aggressive, brutal, melodic, modern, technical, furious, fast, heavy and insane thrash metal! We are very proud of this album and we know for sure that if you liked what we've done before you won't be disappointed in any way this time either. DARKANE has developed in a way that hopefully will give us new fans as well, not meaning that we've turned softer or more mainstream... just better! ...and more humble."

"Demonic Art" track listing:

01. Variations of an Eye Crush (instrumental)
02. Leaving Existence
03. Demonic Art
04. Absolution
05. Execution 44
06. Impetious Constant Chaos
07. Demigod
08. Soul Survivor
09. The Killing of I
10. Wrong Grave (instrumental)
11. Still in Progress
12. Wrath Connection
13. Reborn in Greed (Japanese bonus track)

DARKANE played its first show with new singer Jens Broman (CONSTRUCDEAD, THE DEFACED) in November 2007 at the ProgPower Scandinavia festival in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to Christofer Malmström, "Jens enjoyed every second of the show, and so did the rest of us. Our former vocalist Andreas was in the audience to support us, and he was very postive afterwards... along with the rest of the crowd."

André Matos (ex-ANGRA, SHAAMAN) has posted a 22-minute video history of his music career. Watch it here.

Matos recently inked a deal with SPV for the European release of his solo debut, "Time to be Free". The CD — which came out in Japan on August 22, 2007 via Avalon/Marquee Inc. — was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST) and Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY, FREEDOM CALL) between November 2006 and February 2007 at Ultra Sonica and Brainless Brothers Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany.

SHAAMAN (formerly SHAMAN) — the Brazilian band featuring former ANGRA members Matos, Luis Mariutti (bass) and Ricardo Confessori (drums) — officially called it quits in October 2006. The break-up, which was long rumored, was attributed to personal and musical differences. The group has since reformed under the SHAMAN moniker, featuring drummer Ricardo Confessori alongside guitarist Leo Mancini, vocalist Thiago Bianchi and bassist Fernando Quesada.

Polish portal Interia.pl reports that drummer Dariusz "Daray" Brzozowski and guitarist Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz have left the veteran Polish death metal band VADER. According to the Meinl Cymbals web site, Daray will join the Norwegian black metal group DIMMU BORGIR while Mauser will reportedly concentrate on his UNSUN project, which will release its debut album, "The End Of Life", on September 22 via Century Media Records. Their rumored replacements in VADER are former LOST SOUL drummer Adam Sierzega and either Jacek Hiro from SCEPTIC or Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka from DECAPITATED on guitar.

Daray and Mauser will apparently play their final concert with VADER tonight (Saturday, August 30) as part of the band's 25-year anniversary show at Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland. The gig, which is officially sold out, will also feature performances from GRAVE, ROTTING CHRIST, DISMEMBER, GOREFEST, MARDUK, NILE, ENTOMBED and SAMAEL. VADER will play a two-hour-plus set, featuring songs from old demo tapes as well as the more popular tracks from the group's recent studio albums. The show will be filmed for an anniversary DVD, tentivately titled "XXV" (to be released in 2009).

As previously reported, VADER has teamed up with Hertz Polska for the production and promotion a new energy drink called "Vader". The band's anniversary gig will be the first opportunity for the fans to enjoy the unique taste of this new drink.

Hertz Polska is going to extend its co-operation with VADER to promote this energy drink on the Polish market. More details will follow soon.

"Facing Reality", the new video from the Swedish melodic death metal band WITHIN Y, can be viewed here. The clip was shot on July 2, 2008 at Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg, Sweden.

"Facing Reality" comes off WITHIN Y's third album, "The Cult", which entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 24. The CD artwork was created by Niklas Sundin of DARK TRANQUILLITY and Cabin Fever Media.

WITHIN Y in April 2007 recruited Erik Hagström as the replacement for Thim Blom (ex-GARDENIAN).

Blom left the group in December 2006, claiming that "pain in [his wrists]" made it impossible for him to "perform at the top of [his] abillity and to do what it takes to play at this level."

WITHIN Y's sophomore album, "Portraying Dead Dreams", was released in Sweden in the spring of 2006 via Gain.