Finnish melodic death metal act MYGRAIN has parted ways with longtime guitarist Matthew. According to the band, "There's no drama or anything and we sincerely wish all the best to Matthew in the future. You will always be our brother!"

The group continues, "This unfortunate incident won't affect the band's actions in the future — we're still working on the new songs and we won't cancel any of the gigs. Our friend Teemu Ylämäki from the band MISERY INC. will fill the gap of another guitar on the upcoming live shows, a BIG thank you for him! We will inform you more about our future plans as soon as it's possible."

MYGRAIN's second album, "Signs of Existence", in February entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 32. The CD was released on February 13 via Spinefarm Records.

MYGRAIN's debut album, "Orbit Dance", came out in 2006. The CD was recorded and mixed in November 2005 and January 2006 at Sound Supreme studio by Janne Saksa. It was mastered in February 2006 at Finnvox studios by Mika Jussila.

For more information, visit www.mygrain1.com.

Canadian grind/metal quartet FUCK THE FACTS has uploaded a pre-production version of a new song entitled "Vangorge" to the band's MySpace page. According to guitarist Topon Das, "This track was created during our 14-day road trip to write our new album 'Disgorge Mexico' using pre-production recordings we made at various stops along the way. Everything was recorded using a hand held tape recorder with a Tascam 4-track and mixed onto our modified van stereo 1-track recorder. Though this is not a song that will appear on the new album, 'Vangorge' still gives you a listen into the writing process of the new album as well as a distorted preview of some of the music that will be on 'Disgorge Mexico'."

FUCK THE FACTS recently posted a 12-minute video clip entitled "High Street" which "basically documents our two-week road trip to write our new album, 'Disgorge Mexico', and includes film and audio from the trip, as well as some early stages recordings from the upcoming album," according to the band. "'High Street' was created by Dave Hall (the guy that did our 'The Sound Of Your Smashed Head' video), using all we gave him as well some of his own sights and sounds."

Watch the clip below.

"Disgorge Mexico" is tentatively due this summer via Relapse Records. The LP was recorded last August at Liverpool Court Studios in Ottawa with producer Craig Boychuk and will feature the following track listing:

01. Borders
02. No Return
03. Absence And Despite
04. Kelowna
05. As Empires Expand And Collapse
06. Dead End
07. Driving Through Fallen Cities
08. La Culture Du Faux
09. State of Panic
10. No Place For Failure
11. The Storm
12. Apathy Is A Karma Killer
13. Golden Age
14. The Pile of Flesh You Carry
15. Sleepless

Swedih metallers WOLF have announced Richard "Raptor" Holmgren as their new official drummer. According to a press release, "Richard is a well-known musician [who has] previously played in several bands such as APOSTASY and HATERUSH."

WOLF is hard at work on the material for its new album, which the band expects to record later in the year. Guitarist Johannes "Axeman" Losbäck comments: "We've successfully progressed in the writing process as we got about 7-8 songs finished and more to work with. We feel that this next WOLF album will knock your teeth out by the sheer sight of it. We will have some very exciting news about the recording coming your way soon."

WOLF current lineup:

Niklas "Viper" Stålvind - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Johannes "Axeman" Losbäck - Guitar & Backing Vocals
Anders "Tornado" Modd - Bass
Richard "Raptor" Holmgren - Drums

DECADENCE, the Swedish melodic thrash metal quintet fronted by Kitty Saric (a.k.a. Metallic Kitty), has inked a deal with Massacre Records. The group's third album, "3rd Stage of Decay", which was originally released in 2006 through HTI Records, will be reissued on August 28 via Massacre.

Commented the band: "Our music has evolved into what we call melodic thrash metal and we work hard on this genre which is new and unique. The experiment with extreme female vocals, using both growl techniques for the extreme audience, as well as thrash metal-influenced screams for the outside crowd, make our sound even more specific.

"DECADENCE is often called a live band and love playing live as much as possible and this is when our music literally comes alive.

"The genre we play, that we call melodic thrash metal, can be described as ordinary thrash metal with the heaviness of melodic death metal with no keyboards. The vocals are extreme, aggressive female vocals combined with growl techniques as well as thrash metal screams. The original combination of these effects gives a specific sound which has evoked significant international enthusiasm."

DECADENCE will enter the studio next week to begin recording its fourth album. More information will be made available soon.

DECADENCE is:

Metallic Kitty - Vocals
Kenneth Lantz - Guitar
Simon Galle - Guitar
Joakim Antman - Bass
Erik Röjas - Drums

For more information, visit www.decadence.se.

Bulgarian brutal death metallers ENTHRALLMENT have inked a deal with Metal Age Productions. The band will enter the Basement studio soon to record its new full-length album.

ENTHRALLMENT has uploaded two songs from its 2007 promo — "Cane the Messiah with the Crook" and "Distorted Brain Patterns" — to its MySpace page.

ENTHRALLMENT's video for the song "Total Zombie Domination" can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's latest CD, "Smashed Brain Collection", which was released in July 2006 via Grindethic Records (UK) and Grotesque Productions (Spain).

Finnish metallers AMORAL have announced the addition of bassist Pekka Johansson to the group's ranks. "Pekka has been helping us out with our recent live duties, and the vibe’s been great both on and off stage," the band writes in a statement. "The dude's a great bassist, has a killer stage presence and is good company, so we quickly realized we’d need to look no further."

AMORAL last year entered the album chart in Finland at position No. 5 with the band's latest effort, "Reptile Ride".

"Reptile Ride" (view cover artwork by Aki Siltala at this location) was produced, recorded and mixed by Janne Saksa at Sound Supreme Studios in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

Spikefarm Records last June released the Internet-only "Leave Your Dead Behind". The bonus track for this release was a cover of Swedish pop star PANDORA's song "The Naked Sun". AMORAL's back catalogue has also gone digital: "Wound Creations" (2004) and "Decrowning" (2005) were released to digital music distributors last May.

AMORAL's video for the song "Leave Your Dead Behind" can be viewed below.

Napalm Records is offering an exclusive preview of the new albums by Faroe Islands pagan metal band TÝR and Austrian symphonic black metallers HOLLENTHON at this location (free MySpace registration may be required to view).

TÝR's new album, "Land", will be released on May 30 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy), June 2 (rest of Europe) and June 10 (North America). According to the band, the follow-up to 2006's "Ragnarok" "contains mostly Faeroese, but also Icelandic and Norwegian traditionals, re-arranged into heavy metal. The second most prevalent language is English." The CD was recorded at Jacob Hansen's (RAUNCHY, ROB ROCK, HATESPHERE, MERCENARY) studio in Ribe, Denmark.

HOLLENTHON's new LP, "Opus Magnum", will be issued on May 30 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy), June 2 (rest of Europe) and June 10 (North America). The CD will feature eight songs and a cover version, plus a video.

HOLLENTHON has scheduled a CD-release party in Vienna on Saturday, May 31 at Escape Metalcorner. A special release show has also been confirmed for Sunday, June 1 at Planet Music (formerly known as Rockhaus and Fritz), also in Vienna.

Norwegian metallers ENSLAVED have parted ways with Tabu Recordings. According to the band's management, "the break-up is a friendly one; both parties felt the time was right to regroup and rebuild." "ENSLAVED would like to thank Tabu Recordings for many years of co-operation and sincerely wish them the very best of luck with the future of the label," the group writes in a statement. "A particular thank you goes to Christer Hansen at Tabu for being a friend and keeping the focal point where it belongs; the music and the people."

According to a press release issued by ENSLAVED, the band's split with Tabu marks the end of a turbulent period that has forced ENSLAVED to keep a tight lid on the new album recordings, which are tentatively due to see the light of day in the fall of 2008. One or more press releases with all details will be issued in the near future. "Strange, dark and great things are about to happen!" the group says.

ENSLAVED was honored with the Spellemann award (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Award) in the "Metal" category for its "Ruun" album, which came out in May 2006 via Tabu Recordings (Candlelight in the U.S.). The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held on January 27, 2007 at the Thalia Theater, Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.

In addition to the standard edition of SOULFLY's forthcoming album "Conquer" — which will be available on July 29 via Roadrunner Records — a special edition of the LP will be released featuring three bonus tracks and a bonus DVD containing a full 65-minute live concert.

The track listing for the special edition of "Conquer" is as follows:

01. Blood Fire War Hate
02. Unleash
03. Paranoia
04. Warmageddon
05. War Ghost
06. Rough
07. Fall Of Sycophants
08. Doom
09. Rot
10. Touching The Void
11. Soulfly VI
12. My Path
13. Sailing On
14. The Beautiful People

Live in Warsaw, Poland - July 13, 2005 (live sound was mixed by Jeff Rose and Martin "Ginge" Ford from the UK):

01. Prophecy
02. Downstroy
03. Seek 'N' Strike
04. No Hope = No Fear
05. Jumpadfuckup/Bring It
06. Living Sacrifice
07. Mars
08. Brasil
09. No
10. L.O.T.M.
11. Porrada
12. Drums
13. Moses
14. Frontlines
15. Back To The Primitive
16. Eye For An Eye

Music video:

01. Innerspirit

"My Path" and SOULFLY's cover of BAD BRAINS' "Sailin' On" were both tracked at Porch Studio in Orlando during the "Conquer" recording sessions. The cover of MARILYN MANSON's "The Beautiful People" was originally released in June 2007 by Kerrang! magazine in issue 1164 as part of its "Higher Voltage" compilation, and it was recorded in the spring of 2007 at Undercity Studios in Hollywood with Logan Mader (MACHINE HEAD, DIVINE HERESY).

Frontiers Records has set a July 4 European release date for "Live In Sao Paulo", Richie Kotzen's (ex-POISON, MR. BIG) first-ever live album. With much prompting from fans, Kotzen chose for the purpose a stellar performance from his South American tour in 2007.
According to a press release, "Live In Sao Paulo" is an absorbing collective blend of Kotzen's songs throughout the years. His live performance reflects the guitar style's that has defined his career as a virtuoso. Kotzen reveals to fans live his true diversity with the rhythmic labors of "A Love Divine" to the poignant ballad "Remember". The performance continually travels between moments of classic-rock song "Shapes Of Things" to the uplifting original "Stand".

Kotzen is influenced from such bands as BAD COMPANY, FREE, early VAN HALEN and CREAM. They are the inspiration for his songs, but having deep Philly roots Kotzen tends to combine rock with the Motown influences he heard as a kid.

"Much influence for my songs comes from the likes of the SPINNERS, O-JAYS, and CURTIS MAYFIELD," explains Kotzen. "Growing up outside Philadelphia and listening to those old soul stations I ended up with that sound being a heavy influence in my writing even though the core of what I do is rock".

Kotzen burst onto the heavy metal scene as a teenager with a lightning-fast guitar techniques. With his talents, Kotzen has played with some of the best musicians; securing such major collaboration with the band MR. BIG and renowned jazz great Stanley Clarke as well as his own solo projects.

"I have been lucky, in the sense, that I have been able to play with guys who I could learn from. The biggest musical lesson for me was playing in a band with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Obviously these guys are jazz musicians and I am not, but I learned so much from the time we recorded and toured together. My favourite rock bassist is Billy Sheehan and we were in MR. BIG together for three years which was awesome."

"Live In Sao Paulo" track listing:

01. A Love Divine
02. Fooled Again
03. Faith
04. So Cold
05. Socialite
06. High
07. Remember
08. Shapes of Things
09. Doin' What the Devil Says To Do
10. I'm Losing You
11. Mother Head's Family Reunion
12. Stand

Check out audio samples at this location.

Metal Hammer writer Joel McIver reports that the new guitarist in Florida death metal legends MORBID ANGEL is none other than ZYKLON's longtime axemeister Destructhor (a.k.a. Thor Anders Myhren).

Frontman David Vincent told Metal Hammer in a recent interview, "The hunt for another guitarist to play alongside Trey (Azagthoth, the band's primary songwriter) was long and difficult. Man, I tell you, we had tapes sent to us from all over the world from guys who wanted to play in our band, and many of them were extremely talented — but Thor was the right choice for us. He's a fantastic guitarist and fits right in with the band. Also, ZYKLON have supported MORBID ANGEL in the past, so the guys knew each other already."

MORBID ANGEL is currently in the studio working on material for its first studio album since 2003's "Heretic". The upcoming CD will mark the group's first release to feature frontman David Vincent since 1995's "Domination".

MORBID ANGEL is presently unsigned, having parted ways with Earache Records following "Heretic"'s release.

Although MORBID ANGEL's upcoming album does not currently have a name, its title will likely begin with the letter "I", in keeping with the band's tradition of titling their albums in alphabetical order beginning with 1989's "Altars of Madness", and continuing through "Heretic".

MORBID ANGEL's current lineup is rounded out by drummer Pete Sandoval.

One of Korea's pioneering metal bands MOONSHINE has posted a new track entitled "Moonshine Madness" from its upcoming third album, "Eternal", at the group's MySpace page.

According to a press release, "Eternal" sees MOONSHINE finding its own "unique voice." The band's black/death metal past "has taken the backseat to give way to the best weapon in their arsenal, melody, and to their new found relationship with gothic. The end result of it all are ten tracks (14 if you include the four Korea bonus tracks) of unique infectious blending of dark/gothic/melodic metal with a little hint of their symphonic black metal past. They even added a female voice to some of the tracks to give the album more dimensions. One listen and the melodies will be stuck in your head forever and the songwriting will prove that they are already seasoned veterans within and outside their league."

The album artwork was created by Niklas Sundin (Cabin Fever Media), who has previously worked with such bands as IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY and SENTENCED.

Due on June 3 via Dope Entertainment Korea, "Eternal" will feature the following tracks:

01. Moonshine Madness
02. (We) Die Cold
03. True Heart
04. Isolated
05. Dark Reception
06. Chaos Lover
07. Dying In Beauty
08. Breathless
09. No Name
10. Regret (Instrumental)

Bonus Tracks

11. Chaos Lover (Korean Lyrics)
12. (We) Die Cold (Korean Lyrics)
13. True Heart (Korean Lyrics)
14. Dark Reception (Korean Lyrics)

Legendary Norwegian black metallers EMPEROR have posted an exclusive track on their official MySpace page. "I Am The Black Wizards (Emperor Inhale Blacksmoke)" was remixed (with additional production) by The Blacksmoke Organisation, which is described as "an occasional art collective and musical group dedicated to the propagation of audio visual noise."

The Blacksmoke Organisation was founded by THE KLF co-founder Jimmy Cauty and James Fogarty, a 24-year-old heavy metal musician.

In related news, EMPEROR/ZYKLON guitarist Samoth has launched an official MySpace page.

As previously reported, Samoth (real name: Tomas Haugen) and his Canadian wife Erin welcomed their first child on April 23.

Samoth and Erin were married on February 15, 2005 in a small ceremony in Norway.

UK grind act RETH has inked a deal with Anticulture Records. The group's "Precursors of Extinction" album, which was previously self-released, will be made available through Anticulture later in the year. A new studio LP will follow in 2009.

01. Thee Curses Of Perception
02. Shibboleths Of The New Panacea
03. Science Of Money
04. Rational Actor / Definitive Host
05. Convulsive
06. Touching The Face Of God
07. Sowing The Poisoned Hubris
08. Industrial Land Rape
09. Decathexis

RETH is confirmed for the Obscene Extreme festival, set to take place July 10-12 in Trutnov, Czech Republic.

RETH is:

Christopher Reese - Voices
Elliot Durkin Smith - Drums
Paul Priest - Bass
Matthew Wells - Guitar
Matthew Bentley – Guitar

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/reth.

Candlelight Records USA has posted "A Portrait in White", the new single from North Carolina-based DAYLIGHT DIES at this location. The song is featured on the exclusive tour single now on sale via the band (on tour now with CANDLEMASS) or the group's official web site, and direct from Candlelight Records.

"A Portrait in White" comes off DAYLIGHT DIES' new album, "Lost to the Living", which is set to hit stores nationwide on June 24.

"Lost to the Living" track listing:

01. Cathedral
02. A Portrait in White
03. A Subtle Violence
04. And a Slow Surrender
05. At a Loss
06. Woke Up Lost
07. Descending
08. Last Alone
09. The Morning Light

"Attera Orbis Terrarum - Part 2", the second DVD recorded during DARK FUNERAL's world tour in support of the "Attera Totus Sanctus" album, has had its release date pushed back to June 16 from the previously announced May 22. A trailer for the set will be released within the next week or two.

"Attera Orbis Terrarum - Part 2" (cover artwork) focuses on DARK FUNERAL's South American shows, where the band has a fanatical following.

DARK FUNERAL's first DVD, "Attera Orbis Terrarum - Part 1", which landed on the Swedish DVD chart at No. 5, contains footage from the European leg of the band's world tour. The two-disc set includes three complete, professionally-filmed live shows and rare bonus footage. The first show was filmed with seven cameras on March 12, 2005 in Katowice, Poland. The second was filmed the following March in Tilburg, The Netherlands with four cameras. The second disc starts off with a camera-shot show from March 2006 in Paris, followed by the video clip for "Atrum Regina" and previously unreleased amateur footage that chronicles the Swedish black metal band's entire career, including the very first, and now legendary, show in Oslo, Norway on May 4, 1994. The total combined running time for the two discs is nearly four hours.

"Attera Orbis Terrarum - Part 1" DVD Trailer:

The Satanic forces are uniting behind the first-ever Satanic porno movie, "Club Satan: The Witches' Sabbath". This film was overseen by an actual priest in the Church Of Satan, and includes a real Black Mass, the likes of which has not been caught on tape since Anton LaVey's "Satanis" more than 30 years ago.

From start to finish "Club Satan" has involved true Satanic Warriors — from director Shane Bugbee, to star and producer Matt Zane, black metal legends DARK FUNERAL who make their film debut in this movie, and Extreme Associates, the most controversial porn company in the world, whose owners are currently facing life in prison for the movies they have released.

DARK FUNERAL not only stars in "Club Satan: The Witches Sabbath", but also contributes its song "King Antichrist" to the movie soundtrack. The scenes featuring the band were shot before and during their show at the Key Club in Hollywood, California on January 21, 2007.

The director's cut of "Club Satan: The Witches' Sabbath" will be screening on Walpurgis Night (April 30) a high Satanic holiday that has been a celebration of the witch for hundreds of years . Ths screenings will take place at the following locations:

* New York City: MF Gallery - 157 Rivington St. (917) 446-8681
* Chicago: Odd Obsession - 1822 N. Milwaukee. (773) 276-0894 After-party at: Exit - 1315 W North Ave, Chicago, 60622 (773) 395-2700
* Detroit: Noir Leather - 124 W. Fourth St. Royal Oak, MI, 48067 (248) 541-3979
* New Jersey/PA at: Cry Baby Gallery - 06 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (732) 807-3504

Future screenings are planned in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Austin and Portland.

Frontiers Records will release the final HAREM SCAREM studio album, "Hope", in Europe on July 4.

No other band in the melodic rock genre has delivered the goods through such a varied discography throughout their career as HAREM SCAREM. The Canadian quartet makes no exception to the rule with the band's twelfth and final studio album. After 20 years of activities, HAREM SCAREM have in fact decided to move on to other things. "Hope" is therefore their final record for themselves and their fans all around the world: a release which marks the final testament to the art and craft of a legendary band in melodic hard rock.

Commented singer Harry Hess: "The new album follows in the footsteps of our recent releases. I'm sure our long time fans will not be disappointed as all the hooks and choruses are there once again, wrapped at times in a slightly heavier and darker tone."

The result is truly HAREM SCAREM's most intense, moody and passionate album to date. A top production and a straightforward melodic hard rock sound make "Hope" an unmissable opportunity for all the fans to enjoy the very last studio effort from a legendary band that has written real milestones in the melodic hard rock musical style.

"Hope" track listing:

01. Watch Your Back
02. Time Bomb
03. Hope
04. Days Are Numbered
05. Dark Times
06. Beyond Repair
07. Never Too Late
08. Shooting Star
09. Calm Before The Storm
10. Nothing Without You
11. Higher (acoustic) *

* Exclusive bonus track for Europe.

Check out audio samples at this location.

чLong-running UK extreme metallers BENEDICTION have posted audio samples from their forthcoming album, "Killing Music", on their MySpace page. According to the band, "In all, there will be 14 original songs along with two cover versions. We are just finishing off all the bollocks that goes with an album release — new photos, album sleeve, videos etc. — so hopefully all will be in your grubby little hands at the beginning of September which will mark the beginning of a full European tour starting September 18."

"Killing Music" tentative track listing:

01. Hells Gate
02. Cold, Deathless, Unrepentant
03. Killing Music
04. Dripping With Disgust
05. Dissembler
06. Rats In The Mask (Controlopolis)
07. Betrayer
08. Immaculate Facade
09. They Bleed
10. Frozen Heart
11. The Grey Man
12. As Her Skin Weeps
13. They Must Die Screaming
14. Seeing Through My Eyes (BROKEN BONES cover)
15. Largactyl (AMEBIX cover)

"Largactyl" features guest appearances by the following musicians:

Vocals - Karl Willetts (BOLT THROWER)
Vocals - Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST)
Backing Vocals - The Fog (FROST), Frank and Dave (BENEDICTION)
Bass - Billy Gould (FAITH NO MORE, BRUJERIA)

Video footage of BENEDICTION performing a new song, entitled "Killing Music", at last year's Up From The Ground festival — which took place August 24-25, 2007 in Gemünden, Germany — can be viewed below.

On June 27, two new HAMMERFALL releases will see the light of day: a DVD continuing chronicling the band's career, and a covers CD — a collection of all the covers recorded by HAMMERFALL to date plus three new, unreleased ones. Incidentally, this will be guitarist Stefan Elmgren's last release with HAMMERFALL.

* "Rebels With A Cause - Unruly, Unrestrained, Uninhibited" DVD:

The DVD will be a continuation of the previous two ("The First Crusade" and "The Templar/Renegade Crusades") and will contain newly recorded interviews with the band interspersed with footage from their own cameras. The time span is six years, from the beginning of 2002 until the end of 2007, and it's edited together as a documentary of sorts, i.e. one continuous film, but of course with chapters. Also included will be all six promo videos made during the time in question plus some behind the scenes, four professionally filmed live songs from Filderstadt 2005, five TV clips they have purchased the rights to from SVT (the Swedish national television network) and some more homemade stuff as bonus. The complete running time is estimated to be almost three hours.

Check out the "Rebels With A Cause - Unruly, Unrestrained, Uninhibited" DVD trailer below.

* "Masterpieces" covers CD:

01. Child of the Damned (WARLORD)
02. Ravenlord (STORMWITCH)
03. Eternal Dark (PICTURE)
04. Back to Back (PRETTY MAIDS)
05. I Want Out (HELLOWEEN)
06. Man on the Silver Mountain (RAINBOW)
07. Head Over Heels (ACCEPT)
08. Run With the Devil (HEAVY LOAD)
09. We're Gonna Make It (TWISTED SISTER)
10. Breaking the Law (JUDAS PRIEST)
11. Angel of Mercy (CHASTAIN)
12. Rising Force (YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE)
13. Detroit Rock City (KISS)
14. Crazy Nights (LOUDNESS)
15. När Vindarna Viskar Mitt Namn (ROGER PONTARE)
16. Flight of the Warrior (RIOT)
17. Youth Gone Wild (SKID ROW)
18. Aphasia (EUROPE)

HAMMERFALL recently recruited guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT) to replace Stefan Elmgren, who left the in early April to focus on his new career as a pilot.

HAMMERFALL will perform at the Heavy MTL festival in Montréal, Quebec, Canada on June 21 before entering the studio in July to begin recording a new album.

Italian "extreme epic metal" band STORMLORD has posted another new song, the acoustic epic ballad called"The Castaway", on its MySpace page. The track comes off the group's long-awaited fourth full-length album, "Mare Nostrum", due on May 23 via Locomotive Records. The CD was recorded at Giuseppe Orlando's Outer Sound Studios (NECRODEATH, NOVEMBRE, KLIMT 1918) and was mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussila (HIM, CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH, SENTENCED). The
"Mare Nostrum" track listing:

01. Mare Nostrum
02. Neon Karma
03. Legacy Of The Snake
04. Emet
05. The Castaway
06. Scorn
07. And The Wind Shall Scream My Name
08. Dimension: Hate
09. Stormlord

According to the band, "the journalists that had the chance to listen to [the new STORMLORD album] during the studio reports describe 'Mare Nostrum' as a mix of our first two albums, 'Supreme Art Of War' and 'At The Gates Of Utopia', played and arranged with a superior maturity and technical skill.

"We just can say that we love our new songs, they sound epic like in the old times without forgetting the style of 'The Gorgon Cult'. There are a lot of new solutions that we never used before like sitar, folk parts, gloomy clean vocals, 'Mediterrean' ethnic instruments and an amazing drum work. Our singer Cristiano has sealed his best performance so far, going from high pitch screaming to earthquaking growls, while the keyboard work, now up to our guitar/keyboard player Gianpaolo, is the most epic thing we’ve ever done in ten years.

"Expect a bombastic yet furious avalanche of extreme epic metal, we know that some people has been waiting for this since a long time, we will not disappoint them."

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH will release a live CD/DVD digipack entitled "The Wacken Carnage" on June 2 in Europe and June 24 in the U.S. via Peaceville. The package contains footage of the band's appearance at the 2005 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival.

Commented the group: "Almost three years have passed since this carnage took place in Wacken, but worry not — we were already past our best 'expiration date' back when we started the band, so this concert will consequently prove our old school principled death metal values remain timeless. The elegantly brutal artwork was created by Travis Smith."

"The Wacken Carnage" track listing:

01. Intro
02. Cancer Of The Soul
03. So You Die
04. Soul Evisceration
05. Ways To The Grave
06. Ominous Bloodvomit
07. Like Fire
08. Bastard Son Of God
09. Breeding Death
10. Outnumbering The Day
11. Brave New Hell
12. Furnace Funeral
13. Eaten

Check out a mini-site for "The Wacken Carnage" featuring a video clip from the DVD, a desktop wallpaper and pre-order links to the webstore and iTunes at this location.

Peaceville Records released "Unblessing the Purity", the new mini-CD from BLOODBATH, on March 10.

BLOODBATH 2008 is:

Mikael Åkerfeldt - Vocals
Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström - Guitar
Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson - Guitar
Jonas Renkse - Bass
Martin "Axe" Axenrot – Drums

Check out a photo of the new lineup at this location.

OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt previously stated about his return to BLOODBATH, "I was slightly 'talked into' coming back but I certainly don't regret it now. Obviously I am busy all the time, both with my family and OPETH, so don't hold your breath for any massively extensive tours, BUT, I do believe we'll do the occasional gigs when the time is right. I was asked to sing on a four-track release the other guys been working with entitled 'Unblessing the Purity' and I have to say it's the best fucking death metal I've heard since 'Domination', and I'm not even counting my own involvement. I just basically did what they wanted me to and it sounds really good! We might record another album as well sometime later..."

Poland's most blasphemous and entertaining export BEHEMOTH has completed its year-long worldwide campaign in support of "The Apostasy", which is the group's most successful offering yet. The most recent trek as part of "The Invaluable Darkness Tour Part 2" as direct support to DIMMU BORGIR marked the band's third and final stateside run for this album cycle.

BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski states: "We just completed our third and final run in North America for this record. We toured like hell after 'Demigod' and we've also been touring like crazy to support 'The Apostasy', but it feels like it’s time to slow down and live our lives a little bit. So it's about time we stay home for awhile, get inspired and write another monstrous record."

In other news, Nergal recently gave a very candid podcast interview to MTV's Headbanger's Blog. During the chat he talked about the recent tour with DIMMU BORGIR, the new studio EP and live album, the possibility of a live DVD, keeping partying under control and the trouble Nergal caused onstage in Poland by tearing up a Bible.

BEHEMOTH's video for the song "At The Left Hand Ov God", which was produced by acclaimed Polish director Dariusz Szermanowicz and Group 13, can be viewed below.

Swedish death metal masters ANATA have entered the studio to begin recording their new album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Earache Records.

Commented drummer Conny Pettersson: "Finally the day had come that we had been waiting for so long. Preparation is the key, and if you can be over-prepared, I guess I was. It was nearly three years since we recorded [the last ANATA album] 'The Conductor's Departure' and we have rehearsed many of these new songs for nearly as long. And for this album we decided to record in another studio. Studiomega has been the choice for every ANATA album and almost all other recordings I have done this far except one. I felt it was time to try something new. Fascination Street Studio in Örebro got to be my choice. Bands like OPETH, KATATONIA and SYMPHONY X have recently worked with this studio, and me in 2007 when I did a session recording with the band STARTERHEAD. I knew that this was the right place and that the studio engineer Jens [Bogren] was the right man for this."

The band's most recent CD, "The Conductor's Departure" (2006), was recorded at Studiomega with Valle Adzic (THE CROWN, IMPIOUS, LAKE OF TEARS, BESEECH). The CD features "10 brand new tracks continuing the path that have seen the band likened to MESHUGGAH, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, GOJIRA and NECROPHAGIST," according to a press release. "Merging blindingly technical riffing with an ear for melody, ANATA have gained a reputation for blatantly sidestepping the IN FLAMES imitation of their homeland. Instead, the band have found themselves mentioned as the missing link between death metal and the technical 'math-core' hardcore scene."

Funeral doomsters WORSHIP are working on a conceptional trilogy of EPs called "Elemental Doom Trilogy". The first installment will be shipped in June, and can be pre-ordered today.

What is interesting about the trilogy is that each EP focuses on a raw, primal theme, the first being "Wood", and both bands featured on the split 7" provide a song based on that theme.

The split partner on "Wood" is PERSISTENCE IN MOURNING (USA), who has previously contributed to the THERGOTHON tribute CD.

WORSHIP's contribution to "Wood" comes in the form of "Baumvater", a song written in 1995 by band member Satachrist, constituting the band's first non-cover which was not written by The Doommonger, who contributed the lyrics, though, partially in German in contrast to the band's latest release, "Dooom". There are other differences too, as EPs allow for more liberty.The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes, who previously previously worked with WORSHIP on the digipack artwork for "Dooom".

"Wood" can be pre-ordered via the band's online shop.

Norwegian gothic metal band SIRENIA has issued the following update:

"After almost four years of co-operation, guitar player Bjørnar Landa has decided to part ways with SIRENIA in order to have more time for his family and studies. We end the co-operation as great friends, just as we started it it. The band would like to wish Bjørnar all the best for the future, and thank him for all the great experiences we shared over the years.

"SIRENIA's new guitar player is Michael S. Krumins [photo]. Michael played together with Jonathan [A. Perez; drums] in TRAIL OF TEARS in the very beginning of his musical career. After leaving this band at an early stage, he explored different styles of music in the years to come. In 2003 he joined GREEN CARNATION as a lead guitarist, after the recent split-up of this band he decided to join SIRENIA. Michael is educated at the Conservatory of Music in Kristiansand."

SIRENIA recently recruited 25-year-old Spanish singer Ailyn (photo; born: Pilar Giménez García) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group last fall after only one album due to "musical differences."

Ailyn is best known as a member of the young team in the Spanish version of "The X Factor", the biggest television talent competition in Europe.

Reactivated late '80s/early '90s Corpus Christi, Texas thrashers DEVASTATION are preparing for their first recording since 1991's "Idolatry" on Combat Records. The band will enter BMG Studios in San Antonio, Texas in August to lay down a limited-edition seven-inch single featuring the songs "Blood for Blood", "Where Time Stands Still" and a re-recording of the track "Tomorrow We Die" off 1989's "Signs of Life" LP. The pressing of only 500 will be made available through Rockadrome Records metal division Forged in Fire.

DEVASTATION's 2008 lineup consists of Rodney Dunsmore on vocals, Henry Elizondo on guitar, Alex Dominguez on bass and former ROTTING CORPSE/DEATH member Walter Trachsler on guitar along with newly recruited drummer Fidel Tagle from Texas metal outfit KILLAMORA. The band is scheduled to play the Thrash Assault 3 Festival in Germany on October 11 followed by a slot on the "Texas Metal Onslaught" tour consisting of seven dates across Texas in November alongside metal legends HELSTAR and the recently reformed MILITIA. The three bands have teamed up for an '80s metal excursion that will include dates in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, McAllen and Lubbock. DEVASTATION is also working on a full-blown European tour to take place in early 2009.

DEVASTATION — which released its debut LP, "Violent Termination", on their own Zombo Records in 1987, and two subsequent LPs (1989's "Signs of Life" and 1991's "Idolatry") on the Combat label — toured North America extensively during its five-year run with the likes of LAAZ ROCKIT, SEPULTURA, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, DEMOLITION HAMMER and MALEVOLENT CREATION but has never managed to make it overseas — until now.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/devastationthrash.

Swedish metallers CONSTRUCDEAD have set "Endless Echo" as the title of their fourth album, due later in the year.

The band previously stated about the new material, "I think that there will be something for everyone on this album. Most of the material though, is very fast, heavy and hard. But we managed to squeeze in a few melodies here and there as well. I can guarantee some serious blasting!!!"

"Endless Echo" track listing:

01. Sedated Morning
02. My Haven
03. Endless Echoes
04. A Godess Breaches Through Me
05. Disfigured Beauty
06. Mephisto
07. No Exit
08. Transfixed
09. Tragic Kingdom
10. Spriritual Shift
11. The One Beside Me
12. Cataclysm
13. A Dark Wave

In other news, CONSTRUCDEAD parted ways with drummer Nicke Karlsson shortly after the recording of the new album. According to the band, "We just felt that he wasn't the drummer for CONSTRUCDEAD and on some levels we didn't go along either. We've asked Chris [Barkensjö] from FACE DOWN to fill in on the drums, and it's working out really good.'

CONSTRUCDEAD last year parted ways with drummer Erik Thyselius (TERROR 2000) and bassist Viktor Hemgren. No reason was given for their departures.

The band's third album, "The Grand Machinery", was released in September 2005 via Black Lodge Records. The CD was recorded at Fear and Loathing Studio (co-owned by CLAWFINGER and MESHUGGAH) with producer Jocke Skog.

Night Of The Vinyl Dead has reissued "Genesis", the 2002 album from Greek extreme metal pioneers ROTTING CHRIST, on limited-edition vinyl: one-meter double-sided inlay, hand-numbered 250 copies.

The track listing is as follows:

Side A:

01. Daemons
02. Lex Talionis
03. Quintessence
04. Nightmare
05. In Domine Sathana

Side B:

01. Release Me
02. The Call Of The Aethyrs
03. Dying
04. Ad Noctis
05. Under the Name of Legion

Metalzone.gr's Vasilis Mazaris and Elena Mihailidou recently conducted an interview with ROTTING CHRIST mainman Sakis Tolis. Sakis talks about the group's upcoming DVD (which was shot in December 2007), the group's touring plans and the band's aspirations for the future and his view on the scene today. Sakis also gives his thoughts on ROTTING CHRIST's current business relationship with the Season Of Mist and Century Media record labels and confirms that the band will release a split seven-inch single with NECROMANTIA. Tolis also admits that he has fulfilled most of his dreams but also explains that if he doesn't create music, he feels as if he's going to burst.

ROTTING CHRIST's video for the song "Enuma Elish" can be viewed on YouTube. The track comes off the Greek extreme metallers' latest album, "Theogonia", which came out in January 2007 via Season of Mist.

Norwegian progressive power metallers COMMUNIC will release their new album, "Payment of Existence", on May 30 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Visit the CD preview site at this location.

Commented uitarist/vocalist Oddleif Stensland: "This time we believe that we have created our most diverse and heavy stuff ever, but it is still COMMUNIC all the way. It has been two years since the release of 'Waves...' and the energy from touring and live gigging has left a few marks on this new album. The production by Jacob Hansen is crisp and fresh, and takes our sound to a new level, while the artwork by Jan Yrlund just completes it all as it fits the theme and atmosphere of this album perfectly."

"Payment Of Existence" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. On Ancient Ground
02. The Abandoned One
03. Becoming Of Man
04. Payment Of Existence
05. Through The Labyrinth Of Years
06. Raven's Cry
07. Unpredictables Of Life
08. Stone Carved Eyes

The band last year toured Europe as the support band for UK progressive metallers THRESHOLD. Also appearing on the bill were MACHINE MEN and SERENITY.

COMMUNIC's sophomore effort, "Waves of Visual Decay", entered the German chart at position No. 66 back in May 2006.