The End Records has set a May 13 release date for the reissue of the 2002 debut album "Get Heavy" from Finnish monster rock 'n' roll band LORDI.

The reissue comes with the exclusive bonus track, "Don’t Let My Mother Know".

The full track listing is as follows:

01. Scarctic Circle Gathering
02. Get Heavy
03. Devil Is A Loser
04. Rock The Hell Outta You
05. Would You Love A Monsterman?
06. Icon Of Dominance
07. Not The Nicest Guy
08. Hellbender Turbulence
09. Biomechanic Man
10. Last Kiss Goodbye
11. Dynamite Tonite
12. Monster Monster
13. 13
14. Don't Let My Mother Know (bonus track)

"We are busy writing new material right now for an upcoming album. We've also been confirmed for a few summer festivals in Europe, so keep checking our tour page to find out where you can see us."

Finnish "love metallers" HIM have revealed the track listing for their new CD/DVD, "Digital Versatile Doom: Live at the Orpheum Theatre", due on April 1 through Warner. The live portion of the DVD was recorded/filmed at the band's November 14-15, 2007 concerts at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. According to the HIM newsletter, "you'll go on stage and behind the scenes with Ville [Valo, HIM frontman] and the band as they give one of their most heartfelt shows to date. Also featured on the DVD, watch the journey of HIM's biggest fans as they go to Seattle to meet the band, see the heartagram photo gallery and watch as Ville recounts the journey that was 'Venus Doom'." "Digital Versatile Doom" also features a second disc, with the full live performance from The Orpheum Theater and a 16-page booklet of original art and images.

"Digital Versatile Doom: Live at the Orpheum Theatre" track listing:

01. Passion's Killing Floor
02. (Rip Out) the Wings of a Butterfly
03. Buried Alive By Love
04. Wicked Game
05. The Kiss of Dawn
06. Vampire Heart
07. Poison Girl
08. Dead Lovers' Lane
09. Join Me in Death
10. It's All Tears
11. Sleepwalking Past Hope
12. Killing Loneliness
13. Soul On Fire
14. Your Sweet Six Six Six
15. Bleed Well
16. The Funeral of Hearts

An exclusive sneak peek at "Digital Versatile Doom: Live at the Orpheum Theatre" is available here.

"Tulimyrsky" (Firestorm), the new EP from the Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW, has had its release date (through Spinefarm Records) pushed back to April 30 from the previously announced March 26.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Tulimyrsky (new song)
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls (METALLICA cover)
03. Taistelu Pohjolasta (from the "Tämä Ikuinen Talvi" demo)
04. Hvergelmir (from the "Metsä" demo)
05. Back To North (MERCILESS cover)

MOONSORROW has been confirmed for the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 15-17, 2008 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire England. This will be the band's only UK festival appearance of 2008.

MOONSORROW released its latest album, "Viides Luku – Hävitetty", in North America in April 2007 via Unruly Sounds/The End Records. The CD — 56 minutes of music comprised from two songs — continues to place the group as one of the forerunners of the folk/viking metal scene due in part to their extensive use of folklore and pagan elements in their music and imagery.

Released in Europe in January 2007, "Viides Luku - Hävitetty" entered the German national chart at position No. 72. The CD was recorded between May and August 2006 at Tico Tico and The Stable studios and was mixed by Ahti Kortelainen and Henri Sorvali. Mastering duties were handled by Mika Jussila.

MEMORY GARDEN, the Sweden-based band featuring former ABSKTRAKT ALGEBRA guitarist Simon Johansson, has announced the addition of NECRODHALIA bassist Johan Fredrikson to the group's ranks. "Johan did a hell of a job at the Swordbrothers Festival in Germany [on December 22, 2007] and we have continued rehearsing with him after that," says the band.

MEMORY GARDEN filmed a video for the title track of their upcoming album, "Carnage Carnival", in March 2007 with director Owe Lingwall of Village Road Film.

MEMORY GARDEN filmed a couple of live shows in Sweden in May 2007 for a possible bonus DVD for "Carnage Carnival".

Simon previously stated about the upcoming album: "We are for the first time working with the Hungarian artist Hjules and he [is] just awesome. The artwork for this one will for sure be something out of the ordinary. Hjules has worked with artists like ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER, NIGHTINGALE etc. in the past."

"Carnage Carnival" track listing:

01. Carnage Carnival
02. The Bitter End
03. Nameless
04. The Beast Within
05. Beggars Anthem
06. A Dark Embrace
07. Dominion
08. Endless Fear
09. Another Night
10. The Downfall

MEMORY GARDEN in 2006 inked a deal with Vic Records for the release of "Carnage Carnival", and the re-release of the band's previous out-of-print albums, "Forever" and "Tides". "The re-releases will be upgraded with some extra material such as demo songs, rehearsal recordings, new recordings of never-before-released material and so on," the group wrote on its web site. "[It] will be something for the collection."

MEMORY GARDEN split with Metal Blade Records in early 2002. The group's last full-length CD was "Mirage", which came out in 2000.

THE PROJECT HATE — the Swedish band featuring vocalist Jörgen Sandström (ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE), guitarist Lord K. Philipson (GOD AMONG INSECTS, ex-LEUKEMIA), bassist Michael Håkansson (ENGEL, ex-EVERGREY), guitarist Petter S. Freed (2 TON PREDATOR), singer Jo Enckell (IGNORANCE BLISS) and drummer Daniel "Mojjo" Moilanen (RELEVANT FEW, DRACENA, RUNEMAGICK, LORD BELIAL, ENGEL) — has issued the following update:

"All the seven songs [for the new THE PROJECT HATE album] are now finished. Seven songs of the music you love when it comes to the HATE. It's time to complete the lyrics now, something that will definitely take some time. During the coming months (or more thruthfully; until we actually record the album) we will enhance the material as we go along, making everything even better, more infernal and all-around even more utterly dominating. We dig to work like that, you know.

"All vocal parts have been decided and both Jo and J are hard at work with what they will deliver next time. We have even contacted some of the planned guest musicians that we want on the next masterpiece. Some of them being childhood heroes actually. Maybe..."

THE PROJECT HATE's last album, "In Hora Mortis Nostræ", was released in September 2007 via Stormvox Records, the label owned by Swedish actor Peter Stormare.

German power metallers PARAGON will enter the studio in April to begin recording their new album for a fall release. Songtitles set to appear on the as-yet-untitled CD include "The Blade In The Dark", "Screenslaves", "Bloodfeast", "Disconnected" and "King of my Castle".

PARAGON's latest album, "Forgotten Prophecies", was released last June via Remedy Records.

After the recording of "Forgotten Prophecies" in early 2007, the band's longtime bass player Jan Bünning quit the band because of "musical differences." Shortly after, the group found a replacement in Dirk Seifert.

In late 2007 the band changed labels and is now signed to Massacre Records.

TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick has answered several fan questions via his web site.

Q: How does this album compare with past TESTAMENT albums?

Alex: I honestly think this is the best one. Not to put down the past albums, but I think this one is strongest in terms of production, songs and playing. I feel I'm playing much better and so is everyone else. It's got the best qualities of both the more recent albums and the earlier albums. It doesn't feel like a reunion anymore, it now feels like a new, current project.

Q: Was it hard to get back into that style of playing after being away from it for so long? Is it difficult to go back and forth from your jazz improv to rock/metal playing?

Alex: I've got used to it. To me, jazz is a delicate process which requires a heightened awareness and sensitivity. Metal is about intensity, energy and aggression, kind of the opposite of delicate sensitivity! But, I see no reason not to do both. Sure, I needed to step away and be purely involved in jazz for many years to develop those skills. But the metal playing came back very quickly and feels better than it ever has. It's very much yin and yang. I have elements of both in my personality and see no reason not to do both musically.

Q: How involved were you in the writing process?

Alex: There are a couple songs in which I'm the main writer/contributor. One is "Dangers Of The Faithless", based on these parts I had in 5/4 time. I wasn't sure it would fit the band, but it sounded good and really different. Chuck [Billy, vocals] came up with a cool vocal part over it, which wasn't easy. The other song is called "F.E.A.R." (False Evidence Appearing Real) which I brought in as a finished song. It examines fear from a psychological perspective and I've heard people say the riffs are very "classic TESTAMENT." But for the most part, I just let Chuck and Eric [Peterson] do their thing with the writing. I'd been gone a long time and they've really developed their own process since then. The last album, "The Gathering", has great writing. I respect that and didn't want to get in the way too much. But I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Q: What was it like working with Paul Bostaph and how does he compare to the other drummers of TESTAMENT?

Alex: We've had some great drummers in the last couple years since I've been back (I can count five!) and it's been great working with them all. But now that Paul's worked in, it really feels like he's the guy. He's such a pleasure to work with. He's got a great sound, solid grooves and great technique. I think the fans will be happy. I know we are."

Singaporean metallers RUDRA have issued the following update:

"RUDRA has finally completed the pre-production of their yet-to-be-titled album which will be the second instalment to the 'Brahmavidya' trilogy. The songs have so much of 'Brahmavidya: Primordial I' and 'Kurukshetra' in them. Shiva is still relentlessly pounding his drums as hell and Devan has contributed nasty vedic metal riffs into this one which will sure make all you faithful ones drool.

"RUDRA will not be playing any shows till the album is completed. The band will be taking a short break after the recording which will commence next month. Soon after the break, RUDRA are planning to complete songs for the third instalment of the 'Brahmavidya' trilogy, which will be a more East-meets-West fusion like vedic metal/rock."

RUDRA last year inked a six-album deal with Hong Kong's Trinity Records. The group's first release for the label was a reissue of their fourth album, "Brahmavidya: Primordial I" (the first part of a triology), which originally came out in 2005.

According to The Buffalo News, AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry's concert scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel has been canceled.

Perry is to undergo knee surgery and must cancel some of his tour dates, casino officials said in an announcement today.

Watch here fan-filmed video footage of Joe Perry performing with his sons — singer/bassist Adrian Perry and guitarist Tony Perry, who along with their friend Ben Tileston make up TAB THE BAND — on February 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.

Swedish death metal veterans UNLEASHED have entered the studio to begin recording their ninth full-length album, "Hammer Battalion", due later in the year via SPV Records. According to the band, "The new UNLEASHED album will continue in the same victorious spirit as our previous album 'Midvinterblot'."

Check out photos from the recording sessions at this location.

"Hammer Battalion" track listing (not final order)

01. The Greatest Of All Lies
02. Long Before Winter's Call
03. Your Children Will Burn
04. Hammer Battalion
05. This Day Belongs To Me
06. Marching Off To War
07. Entering The Hall Of The Slain
08. Black Horizon
09. Carved In Stone
10. Warriors Of Midgard
11. Midsummer Solstice
12. Home Of The Brave
13. I Want You Dead

UNLEASHED's eighth full-length album, "Midvinterblot", was released in the U.S. on October 10, 2006 via SPV Records.

UNLEASHED's current lineup:

Johnny Hedlund: Bass, Vocals
Tomas Måsgard: Guitar
Fredrik Folkare: Guitar
Anders Schultz: Drums

SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian's video for the song "Money" can be viewed at this location.

Tankian recently added more headlining U.S. dates to his current tour schedule, which finds the vocalist alternating between his own shows and an opening stint for FOO FIGHTERS. Tankian's newest confirmed gigs will take him out west and into Canada during a two-week period in mid-March, before he heads overseas for a European trek that begins on April 1. FAIR TO MIDLAND will open for Tankian on the March dates. Tankian's run with FOO FIGHTERS started on February 18 in Worcester, Massachusetts and ends on March 6 in Los Angeles.

Serj Tankian recently issued "Sky is Over" as the second single from his debut solo album, "Elect the Dead". Although Tankian doesn't say straight out what the song is about, he did tell The Pulse of Radio that it comes from both his childhood memories and his concerns about the planet. "I've always thought of the sky as, like, an open canvas," he said. "When I was a kid and I looked at the sky, I always remember being able to daydream, just looking at the sky, being creative, being able to design things. What would happen if we had no sky? Where would we be? Well, obviously, scientifically, without an atmosphere, we'd all be dead."

"Elect the Dead" made the "long list" of finalists for this year's Shortlist Prize, which is awarded to an album that has sold less than 500,000 copies. The winner will be announced in the spring.

"Elect the Dead" came out in late October and landed at Number Four on the Billboard album chart.

Finnish metal group TERÄSBETONI, which will represent Finland in this year's Eurovision Song Contest (having won the Finnish final on Saturday, March 1), will release its third album, "Myrskyntuoja", on March 19 via Warner Music Finland. The CD's cover artwork can be viewed at this location. The album was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, APOCALYPTICA, THE 69 EYES), who previously worked with TERÄSBETONI on the group's last LP, the gold-certified (in Finland) "Vaadimme metallia", which came out in 2006.

"Myrskyntuoja" track listing:

01. Voiman Vartijat
02. Painajainen
03. Missä Miehet Ratsastaa
04. Ukkoshevonen
05. Orjakaleeri
06. Paha Sanoo
07. Teräksen Taakka
08. Metallin Voima
09. Kuumilla Porteilla
10. Viholliselle
11. Huominen Tulla Jo Saa
12. Seiso Suorassa

TERÄSBETONI won the Finnish national Eurovision Song Contest selection with the song "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa" and will represent the country in the semifinal of the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest on May 20 in Belgrade, Serbia. The band scored a victory in the super-final of the Finnish national final on Saturday, March 1. They picked up 38.9% of the votes, beating their nearest rival KARI TAPIO, who scored 33.9%, according to Kainuun Sanomat.

EPICA lead singer, Simone Simons — who was recently infected with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), also known as the hospital bacteria — has issued the following update:

"I want to express my gratitude to the EPICA fans who have been supporting me through this difficult period. I have received numerous emails and presents. They really give me strength! It means the world to me that you care about me.

"Unfortunately, I am still not healed from the infection yet. I am trying my best to get rid of it but it is a real pain in the ass. I have parted ways with antibiotics and am focussing on natural medicines. The antibiotics are the reason for my disease and I have had enough of it. Most important is still to rest a lot and to crank up my immune system.

"EPICA and me are very sad that the Mexican tour had to be canceled again. We really want to come over but like many of you said it is better for me to go back on tour when I am totally healed.

"Overall, I am positive that I will overcome this and can't wait to get back on tour.
I miss singing on stage, and, of course, your energy.

"Please be patient and I hope to see you all soon!"

According to WebMD, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), like all staph bacteria, can be spread from one person to another through casual contact or through contaminated objects. It is commonly spread from the hands of someone who has MRSA. This could be anyone in a health care setting or in the community. MRSA is usually not spread through the air like the common cold or flu virus, unless a person has MRSA pneumonia and is coughing.

Never one known to rest on its laurels, the Polish killing machine BEHEMOTH raises the bar once again with its bombastic new video, "At The Left Hand Ov God", which provides the band the perfect visual forum to convey its over-the-top ideals. This is pure blasphemy at its finest and it is just another step closer to solidifying their spot as the genre's most dangerous and unrelenting force. The clip was produced by acclaimed Polish director Dariusz Szermanowicz and Group 13. An eye-popping trailer can be viewed below.

BEHEMOTH is set to make its much-anticipated return to North America this spring on "The Invaluable Darkness Tour Part 2" as direct support to DIMMU BORGIR. The month-long trek, which kicks off on April 2, also features KEEP OF KALESSIN in the support slot and marks BEHEMOTH's third stateside run in support of "The Apostasy".

AGUA DE ANNIQUE/ex-THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen has issued the following update:

"I am currently writing new songs. We plan to record this summer. I'll keep you updated.

"In other news, we are playing the upcoming 'Ticket for Tibet' festival in Holland on April 20th, 2008. The event organizers plan to release a single, which I have been invited to sing on, to help make people more aware of Tibet and its current problems. More info on the event at www.ticketfortibet.com. The other participants who will also sing on the single are a few of the finest Dutch musicians and I'm proud they've asked me to join them.

"Also, I am working on a few more solo shows together with Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA). We played one show together in Tilburg Holland earlier this year and that was such a great time that we really wanted to do that again this year."

Italy's Frontiers Records has issued the following press release:

Frontiers Records and Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS guitarist/mainman) are very pleased to announce to have finally reached an amicable settlement over the "Saana – Warrior of Light Pt. 1" album controversy.

The agreement for this album was executed originally in December 2006 and both parties performed the contract to the best of their abilities until the delivery happened in mid-January 2008. As a matter of fact, the album delivery started a strong controversy between the parties, based on certain contractual provisions, which echoed in a few days all over the world via the Internet. The bottom of this controversy was reached when both parties decided to go ahead and announce the release of its own version of the album, Timo Tolkki through the official "Saana" website and Frontiers through the regular sales channels throughout the world.

However, lawyers and managers have been working very hard to mediate the differences and in the end they were able to accommodate both parties on the agreement that the rights of the release will go back to Timo Tolkki who will release the album (digital and physical release) on his website, www.timotolkki.com, while Frontiers will be paid back the monies invested against the production of the record.

Timo Tolkki states: "I am very pleased that Frontiers and me have been able to come to an agreement in the end about the 'Saana' release. We were able to come up with a mutually satisfactory compromise and we are looking forward soon to give you some news regarding my future."

Frontiers Records label manager Mario de Riso adds: "Timo is a very special person and artist. We have a lot of respect for his talent. Of course, his words went sometimes a little too far in this story, but the good thing is that we feel now much better and I can already say that we look forward to working together on new ventures. Something really exciting came out from all this story and we plan to reveal very soon some great news for all the rock fans."

Based on the above, Frontiers Records officially deletes the worldwide release of the album "Saana – Warrior of Light Pt. 1" from its catalogue (originally scheduled for March 14) with immediate effect. The record shall exclusively be available in digital and physical purchase at the www.saana-warrioroflight.com and www.timotolkki.com websites.

Sunday Mirror reports that Robert Plant has turned down an extra £100 million (approximately $200 million) fortune to take LED ZEPPELIN on a world tour.

The rock legend wants to concentrate on his new partnership with country singer Alison Krauss... spelling the likely end of the famous band.

A band source reportedly said: "Despite the enormous offer, the decision did not come down to money. They always said they would do the one-off show and then see how they felt. Jimmy [Page] had enjoyed the concert in December enough to want to tour. He argued they still had something to offer. He likes the idea of another chapter in the band — the grown-up tour. John [Paul Jones] sided with Jimmy. He loved making music with the others again. But Robert wanted to leave last year's concert as their legacy. They had proved they could still do it and that was enough. He has other commitments and is happier looking forward to those. Robert put the mockers on the tour."

The new album featuring TYKETTO singer Danny Vaughn and famed producer and bassist Fabrizio Grossi is in the finishing stages of the mixing sessions in the capable hands of Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS, TNT) in Denmark. The record, to be entitled "Visions", also features Jimi Bell from HOUSE OF LORDS on guitar, Eric Ragno on keyboards and Peter Lobo on drums.

The first sample of the new album can be enjoyed in the forthcoming "Rock The Bones Vol. 6" sampler, to be released on Frontiers on March 14. Songtitles set to appear on the record include "Making Waves", "If It's Not Love", "Listen To Your Heart", "Love Is No Stranger", "Days Of Anger" and more. This time Danny and Fabrizio worked hard on the songwriting to shape up this record with a perfect AOR mood. More songs have been offered by Tom and James Martin (TED POLEY, HOUSE OF LORDS, KHYMERA).

"Visions" will be released in the summer via Frontiers.

KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, has been updated with the following message:

"Finland loves KISS! KISS' second Helsinki show sold out in just nine minutes this morning! KISS sold a combined 26,000 tickets in 16 minutes for their two May concerts in Finland!"

Matti Martikainen from KISS Army Finland comments: "On behalf of Kiss Army Finland I proudly announce that the extra show in Helsinki, Finland in May 27 also sold out in amazing speed! All tickets were sold out in nine minutes this morning! We've shown that our KISS hype is truly a powerful force! The earth will shake when KISS and Finland will meet this May, I guarantee. This is beyond incredible, our wildest hopes and dreams came true!"

Other sold-out KISS shows include June 6 in Prague, Czech Republic at the O2 Arena; May 30 concert in Stockholm, Sweden at at Stockholm Stadium (where 30,000 tickets were gone within 25 minutes); and May 31 in Oslo, Norway at Valhall.

According to The NIN Hotline, NINE INCH NAILS has self-released a new instrumental album, "Ghosts I-IV". Consisting of 36 instrumental tracks described as "music for daydreams" and released under Creative Commons, it is available in a wide range of formats: MP3, double CD, a package with: the 2xCD, multitracks on DVD, and a deluxe book, and finally the super-deluxe limited edition which includes all that as well as a copy of the album on vinyl.

The free MP3 download includes the first volume — nine tracks (each with unique artwork), wallpapers, and a PDF of the 40-page book. Available directly off NIN.com, you also have the option to torrent it via official NIN profiles on Waffles, What.cd and The Pirate Bay

German Christian power metallers SEVENTH AVENUE will release their sixth studio album, "Terium", on March 28 via Massacre Records. The "conceptual" CD — which is said to "deliver a complex fantasy story" — was produced by Herbie Langhans, was mastered by Sascha Paeth and has a running time of over 70 minutes.

"Terium" track listing:

01. Under The Surface
02. Crowd In The Dark
03. Terium
04. Authorities
05. Future's Dawn
06. Brighter Than The Sun
07. Needs
08. Two Masters
09. Hands Of The King
10. Priests And Servants
11. Trail Of Blood
12. Betrayal
13. Way To The Stars
14. Innocence
15. New Era

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, who yesterday announced that guitarist Stefan Leibing was leaving the band in order to focus on family life, have issued the following update:

"We've decided to continue with one of the most exciting and respected guitar player in the business — Magnus Karlsson from Sweden. Magnus is known from his excellent work as a guitarist, songwriter and producer for ALLEN/LANDE, MAGNUM's BOB CATLEY, STARBREAKER and many more. We're looking forward to hit the road again with a special best-of setlist and Magnus will be an additional attraction for the shows. It looks like we're planning to get back into the recording studio after the summer festival season to work on a new album!"

PRIMAL FEAR singer Ralf Scheepers comments: "After working together with Magnus on several songs for our previous albums 'Seven Seals' and 'New Religion', it's more than a pleasure to have him in the band now. In my ears he is one of the most talented guitarists on this planet and he is also an excellent composer. I absolutely look forward to rock the stages of this world with him!"

Magnus Karlsson added: "I've been a big fan of PRIMAL FEAR since I first heard them. I love their straight-forward metal in combination with beautiful melodies and a world-class musicianship. That's why I'm both honoured and excited to join PRIMAL FEAR on their mission to show the world that metal is forever!"

Stefan Leibing's final performance with the band will take place on April 26 at the 10th anniversary concert in Reichenbach at H2O. Says the band, "[Stefan] will be on stage for some special songs, including a meet-and-greet. This will be a very emotional and unique moment for us all!"

American heavy metal band PHARAOH will release its third album, entitled "Be Gone", on April 24 via Cruz del Sur Music. Like its critically-acclaimed predecessor, "The Longest Night", the new album was recorded with Matt Crooks at MCR Studios in Manassas, Virginia. "Be Gone" was mastered by Colin Davis of Imperial Mastering.

"Be Gone" track listing:

01. Speak to Me
02. Dark New Life
03. No Remains
04. Red Honor
05. Buried at Sea
06. Rats and Rope
07. Cover Your Eyes and Pray
08. Telepath
09. Be Gone

Guitarist/vocalist Oddleif Stensland of the Norwegian progressive power metallers COMMUNIC has issued the following update:

"Finally, the mixing of the new album is done, and the master has been sent to our record company Nuclear Blast. Hopefully they will like what we have been working on, 'cause they have not a single clue on what this album contains, as they have not previewed any demos or anything prior to entering the studio, until the master drops on their office table. But we have tons of confident and this is some of the most insane work we have ever done. The guitar and drums sounds fantastic, and Tor-Atle [Andersen] is playing his best stuff ever, Erik's [Mortensen] bass lines are more in your face than it has been before and my vocals has never been as varied as this before. We have no clue on what you guys out there will think of this new material, or what the magazines will have to say about it, but we know it will be hard to top the reviews and sound check positions from 'Waves of Visual Decay', because they where so raving all over, so it will be exiting to follow the coming months of promotion. We have also received a preview of the album artwork and it is simply amazing, and fits the theme and atmosphere that this album withholds, it will be shown here as soon as we are able to release it, along with the title of the album and the complete track list.

"I have said earlier that the album would contain shorter songs but I guess that was a tiny lie, as most of the songs clocks in over 8 minutes. One on 7, one over 9, while two on 6. Well, that's COMMUNIC, I guess!!!!"

The drums for the eight-song CD were recorded at Gimlekollen Studio in Kristiansand, Norway while the rest of the album was done at Jacob Hansen Studio in Ribe, Denmark, where the band's last two LPs were recorded. A May/June release via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

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.

STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki has issued the following update on the fate of his recently completed classical rock opera, "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island":

"First of all, a humble thank you for all you who have sent me so many wonderful messages showing their love and support.

"We are slowly getting things together, so things are moving here. Next week we will be able to finally publish the trailer and open the web shop, where you can order 'Saana' online.

"I finally decided to go the 'RADIOHEAD' route and the GroundCom guys are encoding the webshop to my official website, www.timotolkki.com. So that will finally be the address where you can get the official album. All the logistics are handled by the GroundCom company like shipping etc.

"I am really excited about the way that I can finally have my own webshop at my own site and interact directly with my fans. So pay attention to timotolkki.com and 'Saana' website during next week and you will see something very nice."

Tolkki wrote, mixed, produced and played all instruments (except drums, which were handled by Mirka Rantanen).

"Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" track listing:

01. Saana Mountain
02. Saana's Theme
03. The End
04. Sadness of The World
05. 3 at 7
06. Silence of the Night
07. Sunrise at Saana Mountain
08. Journey to Crystal Island
09. Crystal Island
10. Freya's Theme
11. You've Come a Long Way
12. The Letter
13. Who Am I?
14. Freya's Teachings
15. Warrior of Light
16. Journey to the Azores

According to Pro-Rock magazine, Dutch guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli has set "Resurrection Macabre" as the title of the new album from the resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metal outfit PESTILENCE, tentatively due in early 2009 via Holland's Mascot Records. Joining Mameli in the group's new lineup are Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, NON-HUMAN LEVEL) on drums. Patrick is currently working on new material which he has described as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal. The group's new album will tentatively be recorded this fall by Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR) and produced by Patrick himself.

Speaking to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his decision to bring PESTILENCE back from the dead, Mameli stated last month, "It's not a reunion, because I will not be playing with any of the old lineup guys, except Tony Choy [who played on 'Testimony'], of course so...

"I always stated there WILL NEVER BE a reunion, and there won't be, since I never look back at the past and I refuse now to play with people that are not on the same musical level as I am.

"I sang on 'Testimony' and 'Spheres' (two albums later from 'Consuming Impulse' [1989]!!), so no need for [original PESTILENCE frontman] Martin [Van Drunen]. This because of the above statement I just made. Furthermore, Martin is doing other things. Good for him.

"So now you have two members that were in PESTILENCE before and one new guy.

"The reason why I bring PESTILENCE back to life is that people/fans keep asking me for this. The time is right now and Mascot is giving me the opportunity to do so.

"As you know, I have always been the driving force behind PESTILENCE, writing all the music and so forth, so that I can state: I will bring back PESTILENCE to life. More tech and way more brutal than ever before."

South German metallers DEADLOCK have extended their contract with Lifeforce Records. Says the label, "after their successful albums 'Earth.Revolt' (2005), 'Wolves' (2007) and the newest (yet-untitled) release to hit the stores in November 2008, their 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."

Commented DEADLOCK drummer Tobias Graf: "It's a big pleasure for us to continue our collaboration with Lifeforce. They're doing an excellent job for DEADLOCK, so it's been a pretty easy decision to extend our existing deal with them. Furthermore we're the only good band on their label roster and we couldn't take the responsibility to leave them alone with all those other poorly acts."

Lifeforce Records CEO Stefan Luedicke stated: "I'm very happy that we have secured three more albums with DEADLOCK, one of the most promising bands around and not to forget one of my personal favorites on Lifeforce, even the band members have the worst haircuts ever. I'm really looking for the great things to come in the future and we at Lifeforce will be part of. You can be sure DEADLOCK is a band you'll hear and see from a lot in the coming months and years!"