Swedish black metal horde LORD BELIAL will release its new album, "The Black Curse", in September via Regain Records. The CD was recorded at Deadline Studios with producer Valle Adzic. "Sworn", a track from the album, is available for streaming at this location.

01. Pazuzu - Lord of Fevers and Plague
02. Trumpets of Doom
03. Sworn
04. Inexorable Retribution
05. Antichrist Reborn
06. Primordial Incantation
07. Devilish Enlightenment
08. Ascension of Lilith
09. Unorthodox Catharsis
10. Soul Gate

Norwegian masters of doom FUNERAL will release their new album, "As The Light Does The Shadow", on September 22 via Indie Recordings. One of the tracks, "In The Fathoms Of Wit And Reason", features a guest appearance by Robert Lowe (CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETURNUS) on vocals.

"As The Light Does The Shadow" track listing:

01. The Will To Die
02. Those Fated To Fall
03. The Strength To End It
04. The Elusive Light
05. In The Fathoms Of Wit And Reason
06. Towards The End
07. Let Us Die Alone
08. The Absence Of Heaven
09. Hunger
10. Fallen One

Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will release their first live album, "At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy", in October 2008 via Regain Records. The CD will be available as digibook (15 tracks) and metalbox (including a patch, a guitar pic and bonus songs).

"At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy" (see cover artwork below) track listing:

01. Rome 64 e.v
02. Slaying The Prophets Ov Isa
03. Antichristian Phenomenon
04. Demigod
05. From The Pagan Vastlands
06. Conquer All
07. Prometherion
08. Drum Solo
09. Slaves Shall Serve
10. As Above So Low
11. At The Left Hand Ov God
12. Summoning Ov The Ancient Ones
13. Christgrinding Avenue
14. Christians To The Lions
15. Sculpting The Throne Ov Death
16. Decade Of Therion
17. Chant For Ezkaton 2000 e.v
18. I Got Erection
19. Pure Evil & Hate

Century Media Records has has released the details for "The Ark of the Covenant - The Complete Century Media Years", a limited-edition collector's box from Swedish metallers TIAMAT. Limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, this noble box set also includes two exclusive audio CDs, a numbered authenticity certificate, as well as a comprehensive 74-pages booklet with all lyrics, terrific artwork, rare photos and extensive liner notes by Anders Iwers.

"The Ark of the Covenant - The Complete Century Media Years" includes:

* The Astral Sleep CD
* Clouds CD
* Live In Israel CD
* Wildhoney CD
* Wildlife CD
* Gaia CD
* A Deeper Kind Of Slumber CD
* Skeleton Skeletron CD
* Judas Christ CD
* Prey CD
* The Church Of Tiamat CD +
* Panopticon CD ++
* The Church Of Tiamat DVD

+ never-before-released audio CD for the first time and exclusively available in this box.

++ a collection of b-sides and rarities, exclusively available in this box."

European release dates for the box set are as follows:

Aug. 15 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, BeNeLux
Aug. 20 - Sweden, Finland, Hungary
Aug. 25 - France
Aug. 26 - Spain, Portugal
Sep. 01 - Greece
Sep. 05 - Italy
Aug. 18 - UK, Denmark, Norway, Rest of Europe

TIAMAT guitarist Thomas Wyreson has announced his decision to leave the long-running Swedish metal group. He explained, "I've made a tough decision to quit the band. My last show with the guys [was] the Zeytinli Rock Fest in Turkey the 16th of August."

He added, "Just for the record, there are absolutely no personal problems or anything like that influencing my decision. It's just kinda hard to make everything work with the family etc."

Legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) will release his new solo album, "Beautiful Mess", on September 16 via Sewtoe Music through iTunes. Check out the cover artwork below (by Richard Mace).

"Beautiful Mess" track listing:

01. 21st Century
02. Cry Me A River
03. Gin And Tonic Sky
04. Hey
05. Broken Man
06. Mountain
07. Our Song
08. Eye
09. Bring It Home
10. Testify
11. Wherever U Wanna Go
12. Kick It

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have issued the following update:

"Well, the time has come to start officially with the writing sessions for our new album! We will be in Sweden at Magnus' [Karlsson, PRIMAL FEAR guitarist] studio in September to write a bunch of new tracks and do some pre-production. We've collected already some ideas and it sounds very promising. We will try to keep the great vibe of the live shows in the band... Of course, we will try to surprise all of you again with a new direction.

PRIMAL FEAR has set "16.6" as the working title of the follow-up to last year's "New Religion" album. The CD will be recorded in November/December 2008 for a tentative early 2009 release via Frontiers Records.

MEGADETH's official web site has posted an update on the group's forthcoming "Anthology: Set The World Afire" career-spanning 2-CD and digital collection, which is scheduled to be released September 30 by Capitol/EMI. There has been a change to the track listing which did not appear on a press release that was issued on Monday (August 18): specifically, "Foreclosure Of A Dream" has replaced "Sleepwalker" as track 16 on Disc 2. MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine commented: "As I have always said, 'it ain't official until you read it [on MEGADETH's official web site]!'"

"Anthology: Set The World Afire" features MEGADETH's top hits and fan favorites, a previously unreleased demo and two rare concert recordings. It is loaded with 35 electrifying tracks, among them MEGADETH's top hits, including "Trust", "A Tout Le Monde", "Insomnia" and "Train of Consequences". Also included are rare 1992 concert recordings of "Peace Sells" and "Symphony of Destruction", previously available only in limited release, the latter having never been released in the U.S. "High Speed Dirt" is a demo version, previously unreleased.

"Anthology: Set The World Afire" track listing:

Disc 1:

01. Mechanix
02. Rattlehead
03. Peace Sells
04. Wake Up Dead
05. Devils Island
06. Anarchy in the U.K.
07. Set The World Afire
08. Into The Lungs Of Hell
09. In My Darkest Hour
10. Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due
11. Tornado of Souls
12. Hangar 18
13. Take No Prisoners
14. Go To Hell
15. Sweating Bullets
16. Crown of Worms
17. High Speed Dirt [Demo]*

Disc 2:

01. Skin O' My Teeth
02. Ashes In Your Mouth
03. Breakpoint
04. Angry Again
05. Train of Consequences
06. Reckoning Day
07. A Tout Le Monde
08. The Killing Road
09. New World Order
10. Trust
11. She-Wolf
12. Insomnia
13. Prince of Darkness
14. Kill The King
15. Dread And The FugitiveMind
16. Foreclosure Of A Dream
17. Symphony of Destruction (live, Cow Palace, 1992) **
18. Peace Sells (live, Cow Palace, 1992)

* Previously unreleased
** Previously unreleased in the U.S.

Italian avant-garde metal band EPHEL DUATH has completed work on its new studio album, "Through My Dog's Eyes". The recording took place at Rome's Outer Sound Studio with producer Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE, KLIMT 1918). The guitars were laid down by Davide Tiso, the voice by Luciano Lorusso George and the drums by Marco Minnemann. The CD will be mastered today by Mika Jussila (H.I.M., NIGHTWISH) at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. The artwork for the album is being created by Seldon Hunt (NEUROSIS, ISIS, SUNNO)))).

On his experience with the band, Minnemann comments: "EPHEL DUATH's new work is fuckin' awesome....it's the best example for intense, precise and focused songwriting. A very power and forceful statement of the band. I'm very happy and proud to being part of this album!"

As previously reported, Ben Weinman, founding member and guitarist of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, makes a guest appearance on "Through My Dog's Eyes". Weinman composed the electronic parts of the song "Bark Loud".

Weinman commented on his experience working with EPHEL DUATH: "EPHEL DUATH is one of those bands that truly understand the essence of what experimental and fusion music should be about. Touring with them was an amazing experience and it is great to finally be collaborating in this way!"

Due to be released this October by Earache Records, "Through My Dog's Eyes" will feature the following track listing:

01. Gift
02. Promenade
03. Breed
04. Silent Door
05. Bella Morte
06. Nina
07. Guardian
08. Spider Shaped Leaves
09. Bark Loud

Swedish metallers REVENGIA have issued the following update:

"Andreas Tomasson has decided to stop singing with REVENGIA. Andreas came in when we were begun to work on 'Eraser' [the most recent REVENGIA album] and under the condition that it would be a project. Now he stayed longer than expected when we decided to work with REVENGIA as fully functional group. The time has come when he felt it was time to move on and concentrate on other projects. REVENGIA would like to thank Andreas for the time and effort he put into the band and wish him good look in the future.

"We are at the same time proud to announce our new singer Tobias Gustafsson. He has previous played bass and sang in bands like EUCHARIST, THE END, ARMAGEDDON and ETERNAL LIES. With Tobias we get a little bit darker sound, loads of energy and great lyrics (something he already contributed with on 'Eraser'). We are in full rehearsals for the first gig that we will play in our hometown Varberg, the first official REVENGIA gig here in many years. It will be the 30th of August with support act 647. After that we will dig in with the work of the new songs we written."

"Blood Of Knives", the new video from former MANOWAR guitarist ROSS THE BOSS, can be viewed below. The song comes off ROSS' new album, "New Metal Leader", which is scheduled for release on August 22 via AFM Records. According to a press release, Ross "continues his legacy with a true metal album that doesn't deny his past and displays his charismatic style of creating great music. Imagine a basket of first-class, stomping, ground shaking epic heavy metal in the style of 'Battle Hymns', 'Into Glory Ride', 'Hail To England' and 'Sign Of The Hammer' — this is exactly what you get here. . . Tracks like 'Blood Of Knives', 'God Of Dying' and 'I Got The Right' would have been highlights even on MANOWAR's glorious releases from 1982-1988. The battle shouts of 'We Will Kill' haunt you to the day you die, the thrilling up-tempo smasher 'Death & Glory' and a goodtime-rocker like 'May The Gods Be With You' then round off the whole spectrum of ROSS THE BOSS. Add to this the majestic epic tracks 'God Of Dying' and 'Immortal Son' (both in the tradition of eternal hymns like 'Bridge Of Death' and 'Guyana (Cult Of The Damned)', every fan of the early MANOWAR must be crying out in joy!"

"New Metal Leader" will be available in the following formats: standard CD, limited digipack CD and limited two-LP gatefold vinyl. The limited digipack and the gatefold vinyl will contain two bonus tracks.

"New Metal Leader" track listing:

01. I. L. H. (0:49)
02. Blood of Knives (3:23)
03. I Got the Right (5:44)
04. Death & Glory (3:54)
05. Plague of Lies (4:30)
06. God of Dying (5:28)
07. May the Gods Be with You (4:11)
08. Constantines Sword (4:41)
09. We Will Kill (4:34)
10. Matador (4:48)
11. Immortal Son (6:16)

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing its new single, "The Day That Never Comes", for the first time last night (Friday, August 22) during the band's headlining set on the main stage at the UK's Leeds Festival can be viewed below (courtesy of Metallica.com).

The band played a hit-packed set, which included "…And Justice For All" and "Master Of Puppets", and also previewed another brand new track, "Cyanide", from the forthcoming CD.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Creeping Death
02. Fuel
03. Ride The Lightning
04. Harvester of Sorrow
05. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
06. Cyanide
07. ...And Justice For All
08. No Remorse
09. The Day That Never Comes
10. Master Of Puppets
11. Motorbreath
12. Nothing Else Matters
13. Sad But True
14. One
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - -
16. Last Caress
17. So What
18. Seek And Destroy

On METALLICA's new album, "Death Magnetic":

Lars Ulrich (drums): "I can honestly say that this album is the best album we could possibly have made. Can I guarantee that people will like it as much as they like our older albums? No, I can't; I can't offer any guarantees. But I promise you that we could not have made a better album."

Kirk Hammett (guitar): "This album is some of the best music we've made in the past 15 years. A lot of the albums we made post-'Black' album were us trying to get away from a perceived METALLICA sound. That was the right thing for us at the time, but we don't feel we haveto do that anymore. And to be truthful, it's fun to play fast, to be heavy. We're now all on the same page with regards to that. I'd even go so far as to say that we even missed playing that way."

James Hetfield: "This album has a hunger and a youthfulness about it. We had a new producer, a new bass player… and we worked really hard to get it right. So when you ask me if it is good, if it's really good, I can honestly say, 'Yes, it is!'"

Kirk Hammett: "I think we're all aware of the danger of becoming a band that exists in the past. I think any band that's been around as long as we have has to face that. But ['Death Magnetic'] is going to prove to people that we never lost our ability to make an album like this. We just chose not to. And I'll stand by those words."

Remaining STRATOVARIUS members Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards), Lauri Porra (bass) and Jörg Michael (drums) have officially recruited Finnish guitarist Matias Kupiainen to replace the group's founding member and main songwriter Timo Tolkki. The news of Kupiainen's addition to the band was broken exclusively by Petri Silas of Finland's Soundi magazine, who spoke to both Kotipelto and Kupiainen for the publication's August 2008 issue (available on newsstands as of August 20).

Matias Kupiainen (MySpace page) is a 25-year-old native of Helsinki who has studied music theory and music technology in places such as the esteemed Sibelius Academy. He is heavily involved in making music for the upcoming album and used to be a big STRATOVARIUS and power metal fan around 10 years ago. Kupiainen co-owns a recording studio and is currently finalizing two solo projects: FIST IN FETUS and SHRED CIRCUS.

Kupiainen was bassist Lauri Porra's "find." When Lauri played bass as a member of the house band at the release party for the "Guitar Heroes" album last November in Helsinki, he took notice of the then-unknown Kupiainen.

Kotipelto tells Soundi magazine that Matias is probably the best guitarist he has ever seen and a fine addition to the ranks. He also confirms the rumor that Tuomas Wäinölä from his solo band KOTIPELTO was considered for the spot. However, the idea was soon rejected as this would in effect mean the merger of the two bands (Lauri plays bass in both groups and Jens Johansson has subbed for KOTIPELTO's Janne Wirman every once in a while).

Kotipelto goes on to correct some rumors that have generated from and around Tolkki:

1) Contrary to what Tolkki has said, there will not be a new album release from STRATOVARIUS this fall featuring the band's early lineup.

2) The band's deal with Sanctuary was not worth the three million Tolkki claimed it was upon its signing.

3) Kotipelto's reluctance to do a "STRATOVARIUS farewell world tour" didn't stem from any resentment towards Tolkki, but from the fact that without consulting anyone, Tolkki allegedly decided by himself that the farewell jaunt should be done with Jari Kainulainen, not Lauri Porra, on bass.

However, Kotipelto's attitude towards Tolkki in the Soundi interview is generally very respectful. He goes on record as saying that Tolkki has made a number of excellent power metal songs and was the leader of STRATOVARIUS for many years because of his prowess as a producer and a songwriter.

Both Kupiainen and Kotipelto describe the new material to Soundi as more aggressive and progressive than the last albums made with Tolkki at the helm. They are looking forward to presenting the stuff to Jörg Michael in September as the fivesome will begin rehearsing and maybe recording for the next release.

Writing on the band's official web site, Jens Johansson said, "Earlier this summer, Timo K, Jens and Lauri got together with a guitar player in a forest cottage in west Finland and wrote and arranged some songs. It went extremely well, and we are very happy with the material, the direction, and the general vibe in the band.

"We now have over 15 songs written and demoed already, but probably not all of these will make it to the actual album.

"We are happy to confirm that our new guitar player is Matias Kupiainen. He was the only guy we even considered seriously. This interesting fellow was born May 11th, 1983 and is a native of Helsinki, Finland.

"Next week, Jörg and Jens will come to Finland as we have booked three weeks of rehearsals and recordings in another cottage. We will then work more intensely on the songs in a real band rehearsal type of situation."


So far, the name issue is yet to be decided, i.e. the situation is the same as it was a couple of months ago — the guys have not yet decided whether to continue using the name STRATOVARIUS for their new band. Some of the members want to, some of them don't, some would opt for the short version STRATO, and for some of them it doesn't make a difference one way or the other.

Massacre Records has set an August 29, 2008 European release date for "Lost Commandments", the new DVD from long-running Florida-based extreme metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION. The one-hour, 45-minute disc features two complete shows from the band — Party.San Open Air festival (August 9-11, 2007 in Bad Berka, Germany) and Paris, France (2004).

The track listing is as follows:

01. Eve Of The Apocalypse
02. Multiple Stab Wounds
03. Coronation Of Our Domain
04. Monster
05. Slaughter Of Innocence
06. Manic Demise
07. Infernal Desire
08. Living In Fear
09. Blood Brothers
10. The Will To Kill
11. Malevolent Creation
12. Behind-The-Scenes Footage
13. Death March
14. Preemptive Strike
15. The Will To Kill
16. Captured
17. Blood Brothers
18. Kill Zone
19. Monster
20. To Die Is At Hand
21. Multiple Stab Wounds
22. Infernal Desire
23. Living In Fear

Swedish "viking metallers" THYRFING have set "Hels Vite" as the title of thier new album. Due in Europe on October 22 via Regain Records, the CD was co-produced (with the band) by Jörgen Svensson of Tyroon Production and the cover artwork (see below) was created by the Swedish artist Mikael Schelén. The layout and the photos were handled by Jens Rydén.

The track listing is as follows:

01. En Sista Litania
02. Från Stormens Öga
03. Isolation
04. Hels Vite
05. Griftefrid
06. Becoming The Eye
07. Tre Vintrar – Två Solar

A video teaser for the CD can be viewed below.

THYRFING last year announced the addition of Jens Rydén as the band's new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of NAGLFAR and for his one-man army PROFUNDI.

THYRFING's fifth album, "Farsotstider" (in English: "Times of Plague"), was released in November 2005 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Vansinnesvisor" (Hammerheart Records) was recorded at EMI Studio in Stockholm with producer Henrik Edenhed (LAMBRETTA, THE SOUNDS).

THYRFING's current lineup:

Jens Rydén - Vocals
Patrik Lindgren - Guitar
Joakim "Jocke" Kristensson - Drums
Kimmy Sjolund - Bass
Peter Lof - Synthesizers

A 30-second preview of the new AC/DC single, "Rock 'N Roll Train", has been posted on the band's official MySpace page.

"Black Ice" features 15 new tracks from brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd. The album was recorded in Vancouver in just eight weeks with producer Brendan O'Brien, who has previously worked with PEARL JAM, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and VELVET REVOLVER, among others.

"Black Ice" will be sold in the U.S. exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club retail locations at the special price of $11.88. Online, the CD will be available with free shipping and handling via the band's web site, www.acdc.com. It will also be sold at Walmart.com and Samsclub.com.

As one of America's largest music retailers, Wal-Mart will join with Columbia Records to launch multiple activities for fans in celebration of the new CD album, including new product features and promotions to come this fall that will bring fans closer to one of history's greatest rock bands.

"No Bull: The Director's Cut", a newly edited, comprehensive DVD and of the band's famed July 1996 Plaza De Toros De Las Ventas concert in Madrid, Spain, will be released on DVD and Blu-ray September 9, 2008.

"Black Ice" is AC/DC's first new studio effort since 2000's "Stiff Upper Lip".

The legendary rockers are slated to begin an 18-month world tour in October, with the trek reportedly kicking off on around Halloween in Chicago.

"Black Ice" track listing:

01. Rock 'N Roll Train
02. Skies On Fire
03. Big Jack
04. Anything Goes
05. War Machine
06. Smash 'N Grab
07. Spoilin' For A Fight
08. Wheels
09. Decibel
10. Stormy May Day
11. She Likes Rock 'N Roll
12. Money Made
13. Rock 'N Roll Dream
14. Rocking All The Way
15. Black Ice

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen performed a brand new song called "Enough" — to be included on her next solo album — at her August 20, 2008 concert in Bogota, Colombia. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance is available below.

Tarja's most recent solo album, "My Winter Storm", was released in the U.S. at the end of February. The CD was made available in two exclusive U.S. versions via Fontana: the standard and deluxe editions (the latter featuring extra tracks not released elsewhere, as well visually stimulating bonus DVD content).

"My Winter Storm" was produced by Daniel Presley (FAITH NO MORE, JEWEL, THE BREEDERS), who has been joined in the studio by a truly stellar line-up of musicians: Doug Wimbish on bass (LIVING COLOUR, ANNIE LENNOX, JOE SATRIANI, JEFF BECK, MADONNA, ROLLING STONES), Alex Scholpp on electric guitars (FARMER BOYS) and Earl Harvin on drums (SEAL, PET SHOP BOYS, AIR), a player personally selected by Tarja after she saw him stealing the show at a SEAL concert. Keyboards and programming, meanwhile, are being provided by Torsten Stenzel, whose previous credits include NELLY FURTADO, MOBY, TINA TURNER, VANESSA MAE and more.

Swedish metallers THE DUSKFALL have decided to disband following the departure of guitarist and main songwriter Mikael Sandorf.

Commented Sandorf: "The time has come for me to leave THE DUSKFALL after nine years. This has been a decision I have breathed, slept and thought over for a long time. I have gone through a lot of good and fun times with the rest of the guys but keeping this band alive has taken a toll on me in my personal life. I feel that we have managed to write and record four great albums together, but now it's time for me to move on.

"I want to thank everyone that has been involved in this journey and especially all the fans that has supported us all these years! You guys are great!!!

"I feel like there is a lot of creativity waiting around the next corner and I have already plans on what to do next, so be patient and stay on your toes for my next adventure."

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have parted ways with longtime bass player Michael Nicklasson. According to the band, "all booked shows will go on as scheduled with a session bassist. We thank Michael for his time in the band and wish him the best of luck in future endeavours."

Commented Michael: "After almost 10 years and tons of tours and festivals, I chose to leave DARK TRANQUILLITY for personal reasons.

"It's been so cool all this time to meet all the people and the tons of fans around the world, and all the friends that I got during this amazing journey — crew, fans and all the people I (we) worked with. I can't name everyone, as the list would take up all the space on the web site, but I'm going to miss all of you that worked and supported us (me) during these years, but this is the right thing to do, I really need a break.

"There are no hard feelings in the band; it's a thing that we all felt was the best for DARK TRANQUILLITY. Now I'm going to kick back for a while, and then I'll see what's in the future for me.

"I wish the best for the rest off the boys in my old crew, and to all: I'm coming back in one way or another... Thanx to all off you!"

Century Media Records reissued DARK TRANQUILLITY's latest album, "Fiction", in May an expanded edition in conjunction with the start of the band's recently completed North American tour. The new version is composed of a CD/DVD and features a slew of new material.

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER have inked a deal with Austria's Napalm Records. The band is currently in the studio working on its new album, "Ballads Of A Hangman", which is scheduled for release on January 9, 2009. An as-yet-untitled mini-CD will precede the album on November 28, 2008. The group promises that the new recordings will contain "120% metal."

Commented frontman Chris Boltendahl: "GRAVE DIGGER look forward to working together with their new label Napalm Records. 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 latest 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.

A short video teaser for KREATOR's forthcoming studio album can be viewed below.

KREATOR entered the Titonus studios in Berlin on July 20 to begin recording the highly anticipated follow-up to 2005's "Enemy of God".

Commented producer Moses Schneider."KREATOR is the loudest and fastest band I've ever recorded. We're reaching new levels of intensity with this album. We've managed to capture the true spirit of the band by recording all the basic music live in one room. Except for the vocals, the guitar solos and some melodies there will be no overdubs on this album. It's the most organic KREATOR record ever so far. But don't worry: the songs will be thrash metal brutality in its purest form!"

The album, which will be mixed by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, SLIPKNOT) in London, will be released in January 2009, followed by an extensive world tour.

KREATOR recently issued the "At The Pulse Of Kapitulation - Live In East Berlin 1990" DVD featuring the previously released "Live in East Berlin" and "Hallucinative Comas", both re-edited and previously only available on VHS video cassette.

German melodic death metal hopefuls DEADLOCK have finished recording their as-yet-untitled new album. The follow-up to 2007's "Wolves" is currently being mixed by Jacob Hansen (MERCENARY, VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY) and will be released in November by Lifeforce Records.

DEADLOCK recently extended its contract with Lifeforce Records. The label previously said in a statement, "after their successful albums 'Earth.Revolt' (2005), 'Wolves' (2007) and the newest (yet-untitled) release to hit the stores in November 2008, there will be three more albums which will combine the typical DEADLOCK essences, a high standard mixture of extreme technical and melodic metal, the dual vocals by the band's singers Joe and Sabine and a good dose of gothic darkness."

Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will release their first live album, "At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy", in October 2008 via Regain Records. The CD will be available as digibook (15 tracks) and metalbox (including a patch, a guitar pic and bonus songs).

"At the Arena ov Aion – Live Apostasy" (see cover artwork here) track listing:

01. Rome 64 e.v
02. Slaying The Prophets Ov Isa
03. Antichristian Phenomenon
04. Demigod
05. From The Pagan Vastlands
06. Conquer All
07. Prometherion
08. Drum Solo
09. Slaves Shall Serve
10. As Above So Low
11. At The Left Hand Ov God
12. Summoning Ov The Ancient Ones
13. Christgrinding Avenue
14. Christians To The Lions
15. Sculpting The Throne Ov Death
16. Decade Of Therion
17. Chant For Ezkaton 2000 e.v
18. I Got Erection
19. Pure Evil & Hate

VIRGIN STEELE frontman David DeFeis is busy working on the reissues of "The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Part I" (1994) and "…Part II" (1995) — two highly acclaimed and respected albums that are considered to be among the genre's all-time best. Also due to be re-released on October 10, 2008 is VIRGIN STEELE's 1992 LP "Life Among the Ruins". This album hosts the most commercial tunes in the career of Virgin Steele with outstanding hits like the anthemic '80s rocker "Love Is Pain", the tender ballad "Last Rose of Summer" and "I Dress in Black", which was said to be "especially successful" in Germany and Japan. To make these classics even more valuable, David is currently remastering them at The Hammer Of Zeus studios alongside Ed Warrin and is reworking the artwork. As-yet-undisclosed bonus songs will also appear on each CD.

VIRGIN STEELE's eleventh album, "Visions Of Eden", entered the Greek national chart at position No. 37 back in 2006. The CD was previously described as "quite epic," clocking in at 79 minutes and 57 seconds.

Paul Travers of Suite101.com recently spoke to NAPALM DEATH bassist Shane Embury about the British grindcore legends' upcoming thirteenth full-length studio album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Century Media Records. "We've got about seventeen songs together," Embury said. "I guess it's moving on again from the last album [2006's 'Smear Campaign']. It's still very fast and hopefully heavy. There's a couple of strange kind of moments in the music, with a little more experimentation and a little more discordance in the guitar perhaps. I think Barney's [Greenway] trying to move forward vocally in some areas like he did on tracks like 'Smear Campaign' and 'Persona Non Grata'. The album is gonna be called 'Time Waits For No Slave' and, yep, it's going along rather well."