French metal/gothic band AD INFERNA, which features SETH mainman/vocalist Arkames, will enter Drudhenhaus Studio in early 2009 with producer Xort (ANOREXIA NERVOSA) to begin recording its second album, to be released later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label. The group says, "AD INFERNA is back to give you one of the best French metal production ever."

AD INFERNA's debut album, "L'Empire des Sens", was released in 2002 via Silverdust Records.

AD INFERNA is:

V.Orias.A – Guitar, Bass
As-Mody – Keyboards, Bass
N.Aboriim - Drums
Arkames - Vocals

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH will return to Russian soil to play a one-off show at the Palace Of Sport in Luzhniki, Moscow on October 11, 2008. Support at the gig will come from PAIN.

Video footage of NIGHTWISH's June 26, 2008 concert at the Kaisaniemi venue in Helsinki, Finland can be viewed below.

NIGHTWISH was recently honored with a platinum award in Germany for sales in excess of 50,000 copies of its "End of an Era" DVD. The disc, which was released in 2006, contains footage of the band's final performance with former singer Tarja Turunen, recorded in October 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.

The award was presented to the band at this year's Rock Am Ring festival, where the band played on the main stage in front of more than 80,000 people.

NIGHTWISH's latest album, "Dark Passion Play", was certified gold in Germany for sales in excess of 100,000 copies within a week of its release in September 2007.

NIGHTWISH recently topped the single chart in Finland with the band's latest release, "The Islander". The song's accompanying video was shot last autumn in Rovaniemi, Finland and was directed by Stobe Harju.

REBELLION, the German band that features in its ranks former GRAVE DIGGER members Uwe Lulis (guitar) and Tomi Göttlich (bass), will release an as-yet-untitled EP on October 24 via Massacre Records. The group's new full-length album (the third part of the "History of the Vikings" saga) will arrive on January 9, 2009.

REBELLION's last album, "Miklagard - The History Of The Vikings - Volume II", came out in 2007 via Massacre/Soulfood.

REBELLION is:

Gerd Lücking - Drums
Tomi Göttlich - Bass
Michael Seifert - Vocals
Simone Wenzel - Guitar
Uwe Lulis - Guitar

The official video for the "Miklagard" song can be viewed below.

PYROCLASTIC, the new band led by ATHEIST/ex-NEUROTICA frontman Kelly Shaefer, has made its entire four-song "Green Revolution" demo available for free download. The tracks "Green Revolution", "Virus", "Wisemaker" and "Deep in the Forest" can be found on the group's MySpace page. According to Kelly, a total of six songs have been recorded at guitarist/vocalist Shizz's (ex-NEUROTICA) studio so far. Shaefer says, "We have had a great time writing and recording over the last few weeks."

PYROCLASTIC is:

Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST, ex-NEUROTICA) - Vocals/Guitar
Shizz (ex-NEUROTICA) - Guitar/Vocals
Bezl (ex-PIMP SLAP THE ATMOSPHERE) - Bass/Vocals
G.J. Gosman (ex-NEUROTICA) - Drums

PYROCLASTIC describes its sound as "combusting, heavy-ass grooves and feverous energy."

British extreme epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE have posted a new song, "Heroes Of Our Time", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Ultra Beatdown", which is scheduled for release on August 25 via Roadrunner Records.

The cover artwork for the CD can be viewed below.

"Ultra Beatdown" track listing:

01. Heroes Of Our Time
02. The Fire Still Burns
03. Reasons To Live
04. Scars Of Yesterday
05. Heartbreak Armageddon
06. The Last Journey Home
07. Inside The Winter Storm
08. The Warrior Inside

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman stated about the group's new material, "It's not going to be majorly different. But hopefully the melodies will be nicer, the guitar solos will be better, the production will be better. You just try to improve in every area." Vocalist ZP Theart added, "There isn't much to change, but yet there is. The last three albums have been very much guitar-orientated, and this one probably will be as well, but I want to try to do some extra coloring in with the vocals."

Asked if the songs will be faster, guitarist Herman Li replied, "Bands always say, 'Our new album is faster and heavier,' and then it's never true, so we're not gonna say that. But playing fast just works for us. People who say we play too fast are probably right, but guess what? There's a million other bands that play slow. People listen to DRAGONFORCE and go to the show because they know that we're doing something other bands aren't doing."

DRAGONFORCE will head Stateside in late June for the start of the inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem touring festival. The package kicks off in early July and is headlined by Roadrunner labelmates SLIPKNOT.

DRAGONFORCE's last album, "Inhuman Rampage", is still romping out of stores on both sides of the pond, thanks in part to the inclusion of lead track "Through The Fire And Flames" (see video below) as the "advanced" level on the top-selling Guitar Hero III computer game.

OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya has issued the following update:

"At the end of this month we will embark upon a new adventure of creativity. Yes, the next set of shows will all be filmed for our first (ever) LIVE DVD. Those of you who have never been scorched by the sights and sounds of our musical rituals will (finally) be able to see, hear, and feel the ascending decadence of this chemical wedding of poetry and sound.

"But lo, we are not only after documenting the musical alchemy that we conjure, NO NO, we want to capture the spirit and energy that YOU bring as well. No OT3P show is complete without the ravenous wonder and perfect passion of our most dedicated and educated fans and supporters. In fact, we will be awarding certain folks (at every show) the chance to be interviewed on camera about what our music and message means to YOU and that footage will be included on the DVD. So if you ever thought about breaking free from the cocoon, butterfly, now is the (fucking) time.

"Those that come in costume (blood pigs, ghostflowers, pit bosses), those that come in body paint (TAO), those that leave the natural world behind and embrace the bohemian mindscape, will not only have a chance at being included on the DVD but will also have a chance at a PRIVATE meet-and-greet with the band.

"I am so very excited about this moment and I am happy to share it with you."

OTEP performing in Denver, Colorado – April 2008:

Legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE played their first hometown show with new singer Kory Clarke (of WARRIOR SOUL fame) Wednesday night (July 2) at the Nite Cap venue.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. R.I.P.
02. The Sleeper
03. Come Touch The Sky
04. Plastic Green Head
05. The Eye
06. Endtime
07. Simple Mind Condition
08. Mr. White
09. Trouble Maker
10. Goin' Home
11. 'Scuse Me
12. At The End Of My Daze
13. Psychotic Reaction
14. All Is Forgiven

A number of photos from the show (courtesy of "PROPAIN") can be found at this location.

Kory Clarke joined TROUBLE in late April .

TROUBLE founder and guitarist Rick Wartell explained at the time: "It was a mutual agreement [between now-former TROUBLE singer Eric Wagner and the rest of the band to go our separate ways]. You need to follow your heart in this business and if you are not into it 100% then it is time to move on. We all felt it was the best thing for all parties involved. There are no hard feelings. I'm sure Eric will continue making music and we wish him the best."

Wartell went on to say: "We are very excited to have Kory step in and take over the vocals for TROUBLE. He's been one of my favorite frontmen in this industry for many years. He will add a new dimension that we can use. It's not like we just picked out some guy to fill in, this is one of rock's most dynamic and creative frontmen in the industry. I know that when TROUBLE fans get a taste of what Kory does they will not be disappointed at all. Anyone who has seen Kory with WARRIOR SOUL already knows what to expect, and it's awesome."

Professionally recorded audio of TROUBLE's entire concert at this year's Roadburn festival, which took place April 17-20 at 013 in Tilburg, Holland, is available for streaming at this location (Windows Media).

According to the Norwegian music retailer Platekompaniet, METALLICA will release a limited-edition two-CD, one-DVD, deluxe "Death Magnetic" box set in September. The box set will be packaged as a coffin box and will also include an exclusive t-shirt, flag and USB memory stick.

The details of the deluxe box set are as follows:

* 1 "Death Magnetic" CD (exclusive digipack version)
* 1 CD with demos of songs from "Death Magnetic" (10 songs)
* 1 "Making of 'Death Magnetic'" DVD featuring never-before-seen material
* 1 exclusive "Death Magnetic" t-shirt (only available with the box set)
* 1 "Death Magnetic" flag
* A set of "Death Magnetic" guitar picks
* 1 fold-out, coffin box, poster with pictures of the band members
* 1 USB memory stick with METALLICA logo (enables digital download of "Death Magnetic" album)

A Finnish retailer called Record Shop X has listed Wednesday, September 17 as the release date for METALLICA's ninth studio album, "Death Magnetic". Although an official release date has yet to be announced by the band or its label, the Finnish date would indicate that the album would arrive in the U.S. on Tuesday, September 16, with most of continental Europe getting the CD one day earlier on September 15. Some countries, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, would see the record issued on Friday, September 12.

Tuesdays are when almost all CDs are issued in the U.S.

The members of METALLICA have been saying in interviews that the album will arrive in September.

"Death Magnetic" was produced by METALLICA and Rick Rubin, and marks the recording debut of bassist Robert Trujillo, who joined the lineup in 2003 shortly after the last METALLICA album, "St. Anger", was completed.

METALLICA will hit some European festivals starting in mid-July. The band's next U.S. date is the one-day Ozzfest on August 9 in Dallas, with a full North American tour slated to begin in October.

A METALLICA cover of IRON MAIDEN's "Remember Tomorrow" will appear on a compilation of MAIDEN covers being given away by England's Kerrang! magazine with its July 16 issue. Other artists contributing MAIDEN covers to the collection include MACHINE HEAD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, COHEED AND CAMBRIA and DREAM THEATER.

German melodic black/death metallers SUIDAKRA have issued the following update:

"Right after the [recently completed] U.S. tour, we started working on new material again. We managed to nearly complete the whole new record musically! In addition, we have finalized the vocal arrangements of four songs and therefore we can reveal the first songtitles: 'Scathach', 'Gilded Oars', 'Shattering Swords' and 'Isle Of Skye'."

Capital Chaos has posted video footage of SUIDAKRA performing at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California on May 7, 2008 (as part of the "Paganfest 2008 Tour" also featuring TURISAS, ELUVEITIE, ENSIFERUM and TÝR). Watch the clip below.

SUIDAKRA's "13 Years of Celtic Wartunes" DVD + "Best Of" CD digipack package was released in Europe in April. It arrived in the U.S. on June 10.

"13 Years of Celtic Wartunes" was released as a six-page digipack on the new Wacken Records label, with worldwide distribution by SPV. The set includes the band's Wacken Open Air 2007 performance, an acoustic concert, and a best-of CD with remastered and newly recorded songs spanning the group's 13-year history. The digipack, from front to back cover, and the booklet are designed to look like a book dating back to another time, and include comments from the band plus personal background information about the Wacken show, acoustic concert and the "Best Of" compilation. You'll also find personal, unreleased pictures spanning the history of the band.

DRUM! magazine has revealed the results of its 2008 Readers' Poll. The top name listed in each category is the official winner; all the subsequent names under a category are considered by DRUM! to be "runners-up," not necessarily "second-," "third-," or "fourth-place" winners.

Select DRUM! magazine Readers' Poll categories:

Drummer of the Year:

01. Neil Peart (RUSH)
02. Stanton Moore
03. Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER)
04. Jimmy Sullivan

Best Progressive Drummer:

01. Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER)
02. Neil Peart (RUSH)
03. Gavin Harrison
04. Danny Carey (TOOL)

Best Metal Drummer:

01. Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD)
02. Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL)
03. Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT)
04. Brann Dailor (MASTODON)

Best Live Drumming Performer:

01. Neil Peart (RUSH)
02. Stanton Moore
03. Jimmy Sullivan
04. Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER)

Best Drumming Album:

01. Hellyeah (HELLYEAH)
02. Obzen (MESHUGGAH)
03. Avenged Sevenfold (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)
04. Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace (FOO FIGHTERS)

Finnish gothic metal band TO/DIE/FOR will be in the studio July 8-11 recording demos for its next album. According to the group, the upcoming CD will include a cover song from either THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH or from DURAN DURAN. In addition, the band has just written a new song called "Johnny the Vampire", which I said to be "a parody about a gothic boy."

In a recent interview with Metalraw.com, TO/DIE/FOR singer Jape Peratalo stated about the group's current label situation, "Our contract with Spinefarm expired and maybe there [was a] possibility to continue with them, I do not know. But we decided to start to looking for something new. Spinefarm Records is OK. But it seems like they have no interest or time for band like we are. They have too many bands to handle. That's why we felt like we are not getting enough things like promotion etc. There are some labels who are interested in us, but this time we are not gonna hurry. We need a company who is ready to work for us with huge motivation. At the moment, I am writing new songs for TO/DIE/FOR, also other guys are writing new stuff. We are gonna be alive in the future more than ever!"

TO/DIE/FOR's fifth album, "Wounds Wide Open", was released in Finland in October 2006. The follow-up to 2005's "IV", "Wounds Wide Open" was recorded by Samu Oittinen at Fantom Studios and by Jari-Jukka Nippala at Sonic Image, and was mixed at Sweden's Abyss Studios by Peter Tägtgren (DIMMU BORGIR, CELTIC FROST).

Nuclear Blast last year reissued TO/DIE/FOR's "All Eternity" (2000) and "Epilogue" (2001) albums as a double-CD package. The cover art can be viewed at this location.

British extreme epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE will release their new album, "Ultra Beatdown", on August 25 via Roadrunner Records.

The cover artwork for the CD can be viewed here.

"Ultra Beatdown" track listing:

01. Heroes Of Our Time
02. The Fire Still Burns
03. Reasons To Live
04. Scars Of Yesterday
05. Heartbreak Armageddon
06. The Last Journey Home
07. Inside The Winter Storm
08. The Warrior Inside

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman stated about the group's new material, "It's not going to be majorly different. But hopefully the melodies will be nicer, the guitar solos will be better, the production will be better. You just try to improve in every area." Vocalist ZP Theart added, "There isn't much to change, but yet there is. The last three albums have been very much guitar-orientated, and this one probably will be as well, but I want to try to do some extra coloring in with the vocals."

Asked if the songs will be faster, guitarist Herman Li replied, "Bands always say, 'Our new album is faster and heavier,' and then it's never true, so we're not gonna say that. But playing fast just works for us. People who say we play too fast are probably right, but guess what? There's a million other bands that play slow. People listen to DRAGONFORCE and go to the show because they know that we're doing something other bands aren't doing."

DRAGONFORCE will head Stateside in late June for the start of the inaugural Rockstar Energy Mayhem touring festival. The package kicks off in early July and is headlined by Roadrunner labelmates SLIPKNOT.

DRAGONFORCE's last album, "Inhuman Rampage", is still romping out of stores on both sides of the pond, thanks in part to the inclusion of lead track "Through The Fire And Flames" (see video below) as the "advanced" level on the top-selling Guitar Hero III computer game.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has issued the following update:

"I have been spending a couple of weeks writing new songs with my friends here in Antigua, in the beautiful island surroundings. The result is telling of the great and inspiring atmosphere we have had. I mean, the songs are REALLY amazing. I feel that the process of writing songs this time is much easier than it was for 'My Winter Storm'. Might be that the songwriters already know me and there is not such a pressure on us than we had with a debut album. Luckily the time is also on our side since we have still quite some time to come up with more killer songs. I also found the courage to come up with my own songs and ideas, which is making me very, very happy. Last time, during 'My Winter Storm' process, I was telling you the name of the songs and some parts of their lyrics. It was very nice and motivating to read your comments and wild guesses about the meaning of the songs. So, this time I will do it again. Here goes the first title: 'The Crying Moon'. This new song we did with Michelle and Kiko and we borrowed a wonderful riff from Mr. Doug Wimbish that I heard during the last tour and that I loved deeply. I am still searching for a title for the album, but little by little, all the pieces are falling into the right place and the idea is already turning in my head."

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.

Bassist/vocalist Jason Wisdom of Atlanta, Georgia's BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE has issued the following update:

"With the studio quickly approaching, the time has come for the band to reveal a secret that we have kept for quite a while. This announcement contains both good news and bad news. According to tradition, we will give you the bad news first.

"Alex [Kenis] is stepping down from his lead guitar post in BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE. Cornerstone this year will be his last show with us. He has been a huge asset to the band for over two years and will be missed by those of us in the band and fans of the band alike. Alex is going to be re-focusing all of his musical energy on ALETHEIAN. If you are going to be at Cornerstone this year make sure to stop by and say thank you to Alex for all that he has done for BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE. Alex will be posting a blog on his personal MySpace when we get home from Cornerstone with more details, so make sure to check that out if you are interested.

"The position of lead guitar has been filled by none other than Jon Star. For those of you who don't know, Jon was the original guitarist and primary songwriter on our first album, 'Terminate Damnation'. The band is very excited to have Jon back and to have the original 'BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE brain trust' back together. Seth [Hecox, guitar] and I have been working with Jon since December of last year writing new material for our third album. Having Jon back in the lineup (along with the addition of our awesome new drummer Lopez) has reignited a fire in the band and the writing process has been an absolute blast. The new songs are the heaviest thing we have written to date and have more of a 'Terminate Damnation' sound which should make a lot of our fans very excited. However, we are definitely not dropping the progressive edge and we can guarantee this album to feature all sorts of creative twists that no one will see coming. We can't wait for the world to hear what we have been working on."

BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE will enter the studio in July with producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR) to begin recording its third album. Tentatively titled "Dichotomy", the CD will be released later this year on Solid State Records.

BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE's video for the track "Endure" — directed by Endeavor Media — can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's second album, "The Physics of Fire", which was released in Europe in June 2007 via Century Media Records. The U.S. release was handled by Solid State Records. The CD was produced by Rob Caggiano (BLEEDING THROUGH, CRADLE OF FILTH, ANTHRAX).

For more information, visit the band's MySpace page.

Tom Morello of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE will release his new solo album, "The Fabled City", on September 30, 2008 via Epic Records. The 11-song set is the follow-up to the 2007 THE NIGHTWATCHMAN debut "One Man Revolution". Now being billed as TOM MORELLO: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN, Morello's new CD is the first release to bear the political and social activist's birth name. "The Fabled City" was produced by Brendan O'Brien (BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, PEARL JAM) and features appearances by SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Serj Tankian and Shooter Jennings.

Widely known for his unique voice as a master electric guitarist, Morello's compositions as TOM MORELLO: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN have been primarily based around the acoustic guitar. However, as his MySpace page firmly states, "You don't have to be loud, son, to be heavy as shit," and the stories and sounds presented throughout the album showcases a depth and intelligence rarely heard in the modern musical climate surrounding it. With more complex electric arrangements than displayed on "One Man Revolution", "The Fabled City" is the synthesis of his groundbreaking work as an innovative rock guitarist and revolutionary acoustic troubadour.

When describing "The Fabled City", Morello stated, "My goal was to capture the energy and emotion of THE NIGHTWATCHMAN live shows. There is a much more rocking quality to this record, solos and riffs, mixed with darker acoustic songs. I think my singing has come a long way as well. I had a lot of devastating losses of family and friends during the past two years and 'The Fabled City' is a search for hope through music and confronting injustice."

TOM MORELLO: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN will be touring heavily throughout 2008 and 2009 in support of "The Fabled City".

"The Fabled City" track listing:

01. The Fabled City
02. Whatever It Takes
03. The King of Hell
04. Night Falls
05. The Lights Are On In Spidertown
06. Midnight In The City of Destruction
07. Saint Isabelle
08. Lazarus On Down (feat. Serj Tankian)
09. Gone Like Rain
10. The Iron Wheel (feat. Shooter Jennings)
11. Rise to Power

THE NIGHTWATCHMAN's "Road I Must Travel" video (taken from 2007's "One Man Revolution"):

According to the web site of the Florida Department of Corrections, former MORBID ANGEL guitarist Richard Brunelle was released from the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution, located just north of Tampa, on June 21, 2008 after serving 14 months for cocaine possession.

The official Florida Department of Corrections photo of Brunelle can be viewed below.

Brunelle was in MORBID ANGEL from 1985 until 1992 and he appeared on the band's first two albums, 1989's "Altars of Madness" and 1991's "Blessed are the Sick". He returned to the group a couple of times — most notably in 1994 and 1998 — to help out with live work, but he never took part in any additional recording sessions with the band.

In a 2002 interview with Metal Side, Brunelle was asked why he left MORBID ANGEL. "I am no longer in MORBID ANGEL because we felt that it was time for me to move on," he replied. "There were some things that I could not see; I needed to explore a different path."

Brunelle formed PATHS OF POSSESSION in 1999 with Randy Butman (SILHAVEN), Jay Fossen and Erin "Goat" Fuller (CRYPTIC WINDS) and appeared on the group's independently released CD-R demo "Legacy in Ashes" in 2000.

Legendary UK doom metallers MY DYING BRIDE have issued the following update:

"MY DYING BRIDE would like to formally announce the new keyboardist/violinist, Katie Stone. We will have a full profile update and pictures as soon as the band has time from the gigs/studio work they are presently engaged in. Katie is also involved in the new studio album. More as we get it."

MY DYING BRIDE recently announced the extension of their partnership with Peaceville Records.

On signing the new deal, guitarist Andrew Craighan commented, "We've been with Peaceville since the release of our very first album way back in 1992 and it's a pleasure to announce that we'll continue working together for the coming future, as we feel there is a great understanding between ourselves and Peaceville moving forward, and both look forward to bringing more crushing doom your way soon."

MY DYING BRIDE is currently recording its highly anticipated follow-up to 2006's "A Line of Deathless Kings" with longtime producer Mags. A late 2008 release is expected.

Peaceville Records in April released MY DYING BRIDE's "An Ode to Woe", a two-disc live CD/DVD in digibook packaging.

The show — which was originally streamed on the online concert channel Fabchannel.com — was filmed at the world-famous Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland, in April 2007. The legendary venue (previous performers include NICK CAVE, THE ROLLING STONES, NIRVANA and the SEX PISTOLS) provides the perfect setting for this special gig.

The band, including newest members Dan Mullins (drums) and bassist Lena Abé, alongside original members Aaron Stainthorpe and Andrew Craighan (the lineup completed by Hamish Glencross on guitars and Sarah Stanton on keyboards), storm through renditions of favorites from as far back as their 1992 debut "As the Flower Withers", right through to latest studio album, "A Line of Deathless Kings", and not forgetting the inclusion of timeless MDB classics like "The Cry of Mankind".

OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has issued the following update:

"Well, first up, thanks to everyone who's been writing me and wishing me a swift recovery from the chicken pox. I'm feeling better today, but still will have to take some pills for another few days. It's been horrible to say the least! Fucking horrible!

"I took some pictures of myself when I was feeling the worst, and it's not a pretty sight! I could qualify for any zombie movie, and I wouldn't even need any make up.

"Either way, feeling better today and I'm hoping I can play the next show as scheduled. It's a highly contagious disease so I'm hoping I haven't contaminated anyone else during the last few trips. Speaking of which, we've had a blast playing Turkey and France (Hellfest)! Both were awesome shows and had a lot of people checking us out! Amazing!

"So sorry for the cancelled gigs, especially the ones in my home country since we rarely play here! Hörrni! Jag är ledsen, men det ordnar sig. Snart ska vi rocka tillsammans som Jerry Williams 1964!

"Family is doing well, I feel sorry for my wife who now has three kids to take care of, and I'm like the worst kid from hell when I'm sick. She's been a trooper and I am so fucking lucky to have her! Melinda and Mirjam have recovered totally from the pox and are doing just fine.

"I emailed a list of songs that I want us to go through for the upcoming headlining tours to the other guys. Let me say it's a pretty massive list, maybe 30-40 songs, and very exciting ones too! We'll see which ones sound the best at rehearsals. Can't wait!

"OK, let me leave you all with another thank you and hope to see ya soon!"

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN kicked off the European leg of their 2008 "Somewhere Back In Time" world tour with a headlining appearance earlier tonight (Friday, June 27) at the Gods of Metal festival in Bologna, Italy.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Aces High
02. 2 Minutes To Midnight
03. Revelations
04. The Trooper
05. Wasted Years
06. The Number Of The Beast
07. Can I Play With Madness?
08. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner
09. Powerslave
10. Heaven Can Wait
11. Run To The Hills
12. Fear Of The Dark
13. Iron Maiden
14. Moonchild
15. The Clairvoyant
16. Hallowed Be Thy Name

According to Martin Carlsson of the Swedish newspaper Expressen who attended the concert, "because of the Italian authorities, MAIDEN weren't allowed to shoot off fireworks during 'The Number Of The Beast'."

The Pulse of Radio reports that SYSTEM OF A DOWN vocalist Serj Tankian has been touring in support of his first solo album, 2007's "Elect the Dead", and the highlights of his last eight months on the road may soon be documented in a DVD. The singer told The Pulse of Radio that the package could contain a lot of previously unreleased material. "It's funny, 'cause the record's only 45 minutes and we've headlined a lot of shows where we've played an hour fifteen, so that's 30 minutes of music," he said. "So there's covers, there's new songs, there's unreleased stuff, so we have a lot of stuff that we can release on such a vehicle like a DVD."

Tankian added that the set, which is only in tentative planning stages, might include all 14 videos he made for the album, live performances from Europe, behind-the-scenes footage and live audio from some shows.

The latest single from "Elect the Dead" is called "Lie Lie Lie".

Tankian is working with playwright Steven Sater on composing the score for a musical called "Prometheus Bound" and also plans to record a jazz album.

He will perform at the single-day Ozzfest with OZZY OSBOURNE and METALLICA on August 9 in Dallas.

UK atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA will release its new album, "Hindsight", on CD on August 25 via on Kscopcoe. It will be available to download from August 11.

To mark the release, Kscope has launched a new web site at this location. The site contains information on the release and forthcoming tour dates, audio samples, downloads, cover and more. In addition to this, for a limited period, fans who sign up to the mailing list will receive a free MP3 of the track "Fragile Dreams".

"Hindsight" features old and new favourites from the band's career, with new arrangements utilizing acoustic, electrical and orchestral instruments to construct the deep, emotional landscapes ANATHEMA has become renowned for. This album will also feature the beautiful cello playing of Dave Wesling from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. A close friend of the band, Dave previously toured with the band in 2004 and is featured on the DVD "A Moment in Time".

The record has been arranged, recorded, performed and produced solely by the band.

ANATHEMA has been at the forefront of the UK rock/metal movement for many years. They began their journey as pioneers of melodic heavy music, influencing a myriad of bands to follow them, before outgrowing all genres and limitations as they fearlessly explored new territory and new ways to express feeling through sound. They have gained a sizable worldwide following and much critical acclaim. Having played hundreds of shows in over 30 countries on their "Natural Disaster" tour, they are currently working on the follow-up to "Hindsight", an album of brand new material entitled "Horizons".

"Hindsight" is preceded by a two-track download single which features the brand new track "Unchained (Tales Of The Unexpected)" alongside a new arrangement of "Flying". This will be available from all major download platforms from July 28.

"Hindsight" track listing:

01. Fragile Dreams
02. Leave No Trace
03. Inner Silence
04. One Last Goodbye
05. Are You There?
06. Angelica
07. A Natural Disaster
08. Temporary Peace
09. Flying
10. Unchained (Tales Of The Unexpected)

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER will enter the studio on August 15 to begin recording their new album for a January 2009 release. The new CD will reportedly be another concept album.

GRAVE DIGGER 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.

Long-running UK extreme metallers BENEDICTION have posted a new song, "Immaculate Façade", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Killing Music", due on August 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Organized Chaos" was produced by ANAAL NATHRAKH mastermind Mick Kenney and features several guest musicians, including Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER), Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST), Billy Gould (ex-FAITH NO MORE), The Fog (FROST), Markus Staiger (Nuclear Blast Records owner) and Thorsten Zahn from Metal Hammer Germany. A limited-edition version of the album will include two bonus tracks and a DVD.

"Killing Music" track listing:

01. Intro
02. The Grey Man
03. Controlopolis (Rats In The Mask)
04. Killing Music
05. They Must Die Screaming
06. Dripping With Disgust
07. Wrath And Regret
08. As Her Skin Weeps
09. Cold, Deathless, Unrepentant
10. Immaculate Façade
11. Burying The Hatchet
12. Beg, You Dogs
13. Betrayer (bonus track)*
14. They Bleed (bonus track)*
15. Seeing Through My Eyes (BROKEN BONES cover song)
16. Largactyl (AMEBIX cover song)

* Only available on the limited edition

Commented bass player Frank Healy: "Sound-wise we aimed for something nice and rough. We got a bit sick of all these 'polished'-sounding albums."

The cover artwork was created by Smoking Beagle Designs.

German death metallers OBSCURA are currently recording their new album with producer V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS) at The Crypt Studios in Germany.

OBSCURA bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-PESTILENCE) comments: "I just got back from Landschut, Germany, where we've finished most of the recordings for the new album. I'm very excited about the new OBSCURA material; it sounds extremely brutal and technical compared with PESTILENCE's 'Spheres' (1993). We are looking forward to play most of the new songs during the upcoming shows."

OBSCURA recently announced the addition of former NECROPHAGIST guitarist Christian Muenzner to the group's ranks.

The band's new lineup is as follows:

Steffen Kummerer - Guitar, Vocals
Christian Muenzner (ex-NECROPHAGIST) - Guitar
Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-PESTILENCE) - Bass
Hannes Grossmann (ex-NECROPHAGIST) - Drums

An interview with OBSCURA conducted on September 15, 2007 at the Dvorište club in Novi Sad, Serbia by Thea (Teodora Bahun) of the TV show "Demo_NS" on RTV Panonija has been posted on YouTube. The 11-minute clip, which includes footage of the band's performance, can be viewed below.

OBSCURA's upcoming CD will feature cover art and layout by German artist Timo Wuerz.

Released in 2006, OBSCURA's debut album, "Retribution", was produced by Alex Krull (ATROCITY, LEAVES' EYES) and includes guest appearances by V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS), Matthias Röderer (ATROCITY), Thorsten Bauer (ATROCITY) and Martl (PROFANITY).

For more information, visit www.obscura-metal.com.

Swedish metallers OPETH have issued the following update:

"Due to Mikael [Åkerfeldt, guitar/vocals] contracting varicella (chicken pox), the appearances this weekend, Peace & Love (Borlänge, Sweden on June 26), Hovefestivalen (Norway on June 27), Metaltown (Gothenborg, Sweden on June 28), and Graspop Metal Meeting (Dessel, Belgium on June 29), have all been cancelled. We hope to have Mike on his feet again as soon as possible, and obviously apologize to all and any that had set out to see OPETH this weekend."

"Watershed", the new album from OPETH, sold more than 19,000 copies of in the United States in its first week of release.

"Watershed" is the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000. OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", opened with a little over 5,000 copies.

"Ghost Reveries" has sold more than 95,000 copes in the United States since its 2005 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have issued the following update:

"We are in the middle of recording bass for the new record and it is sounding very powerful and everything is coming together nicely. Today we got a call from our agent asking us to step in for OPETH who has to cancel a a show tomorrow at Hovefestivalen in Norway and Metaltown in Gothenburg on Saturday. It seemed like an ideal break from the studio. It is a workload of another world to organize SATYRICON's machinery on such extremely short notice, but somehow we have managed and we very much looking forward to be firing on all cylinders Friday at 20.00 at Hove and Saturday at 17.30 at Metaltown. It's going to be good to see you all!"

SATYRICON's new album will be released on November 3 via Roadrunner Records. The CD is being recorded at Sound City studios in Van Nuys, California, where METALLICA recently recorded its forthcoming LP.

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.

Fan-filmed video footage of SATYRICON performing the song "My Skin Is Cold" on June 21, 2008 at Hellfest in Clisson, France can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "triptykon").

Finnish atmospheric doom metallers SILENTIUM have issued the following update:

"After a while of silence, the band has retired to a studio in central Finland. At this point the drums, the bass and most of the guitars [for the next SILENTIUM album] have been recorded. Some of the vocals have been recorded as well, although Riina [Rinkinen; female vocals] and Matti [Aikio; bass, vocals] are due to return to the studio in July. The band has some major surprises reserved for their loyal fans, who have been more than patient in the wait for the new album. All the Silentians agree that the new material is the most impressive up to date! Prepare yourselves for a massive music experience. This fall, SILENTIUM will be back, more powerful than ever!"

SILENTIUM's new album, which is scheduled for release on October 29, is being produced by the multi-talented mainman of WALTARI, Kärtsy Hatakka.

Commented keyboardist Sami Boman: "I'm very excited of this chance to work with him (Kärtsy). His innovativeness and unbiasedness is second to none. Kärtsy can reach the feelings behind the music, whenever it's fragile or vast, even brutal soundmass."

"Dead Silent", the latest video from SILENTIUM, can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's "Seducia" album, which was released in January 2006 via Dynamic Arts Records. The CD was the sequel to the "Frostnight" single, which came out in October 2005. According to a Dynamic Arts press release, the album "delivers bombastical, cold atmospheres" with a total running time of 48 minutes.

"Seducia" was the group's first full-length release to feature vocalist Riina Rinkinen, who joined the group in July 2004.