Singer Simone Simons of the Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA has issued the following update:

"Since a couple of months I have been struggling with infections and had surgery many times. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me. After a lot of tests at the hospital they found out that I am infected with MRSA, also known as the hospital bacteria. The treatment of this bacteria comes with a strict hygienic schedule which I have to work through every day. Because of this I will not be able to go on long trips, let alone living in a tour bus. Therefore we are forced to cancel most of our shows in February. The shows on the 22nd and 23rd in Lille and Vosselaar we will still do since they are independent shows and very close by. We cannot plan too far ahead since I first have to get rid of the infection and that will take some time. How long it will take we cannot tell at the moment.

"We are very sorry that we cannot do these shows. We were all looking forward to this tour and to meet you guys. What I have to focus on now is getting well, so that
we will be on the road again as soon as possible. Please check out our site every once in a while for more information on this matter."

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.

An audio sample of "Sanctuary", the first single from CAVALERA CONSPIRACY — the new project featuring SEPULTURA founding members Max (guitar, vocals) and Igor Cavalera (drums) alongside vocalist Joe Duplantier (bass) of the French progressive death metallers GOJIRA and SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo — is available for streaming at this location. A video for the song is currently being filmed in Paris, France.

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's debut album, "Inflikted", will be released in North America on March 25, 2008 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) makes a cameo bass appearance on one track. Another song is a collaboration between Max, Joe and Richie Cavalera (INCITE) on vocals.

This long-anticipated reunion between the Cavalera brothers is something fans across the globe have been waiting for since SEPULTURA's last gig at Brixton Academy in December 1996. Hailing from Belo Horizonte in central Brazil, SEPULTURA gained a legendary reputation as the one of the most highly regarded and successful death/thrash metal bands of all time, with two gold albums under their belts both in the UK and the USA — "Chaos A.D." (1994) and "Roots" (1996).

"When Igor and I met at the 10th annual D-Low Memorial Show [in 2006] and got the instruments in our hands, it was like we had never been separated. The metal was flowing in our veins," Max previously said. "It was the same in the studio."

Recording took place this past July at Undercity Studios in Los Angeles, with rising production star Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist). Among the 11 songs set to appear are "Inflikted", "Bloodbrawl", "Terrorize" (formerly "Holy Poison"), "The Doom of All Fires", "Ultra-Violent" and " Sanctuary". A b-side cover of the POSSESSED death/thrash classic "The Exorcist" was also recorded.

"Inflikted" final track listing:

01. Inflikted
02. Sanctuary
03. Terrorize (formerly "Holy Poison")
04. Black Ark
05. Ultra-Violent
06. Hex
07. The Doom Of All Fires
08. Bloodbrawl
09. Nevertrust
10. Hearts Of Darkness
11. Must Kill

Watch fan-filmed video footage of CAVALERA CONSPIRACY — Max and Igor Cavalera along with Marc Rizzo and GOJIRA's Joe Duplantier — performing the song "Inflikted" at the 11th annual D-Low Memorial concert on August 31, 2007 at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona here.

Norwegian cult doom band FUNERAL has issued the following update:

"FUNERAL is entering the studio January 14 to begin the recording of a new record, hopefully for a spring release...a concept album is in the loop.

"The band is finalizing negotiations regarding a new contract with a well established label, thus ending cooperation with Tuba Records. The new label will be announced in near future.

"When the new label will be published the band will also launch a completely new website, which will contain amongst other things a filmed studio diary, as well as rare tracks, both studio and live recordings from 1995 until this day."

FUNERAL's video for the track "This Barren Skin" can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Marcel Lelienhof and was edited by Christian Hvatum.

"This Barren Skin" comes off the band's latest album, "From These Wounds", which was released in December 2006 via Tabu Recordings in Norway (the rest of Europe received the CD on January 29, 2007). The limited-edition digipack version of the album comes with a bonus track, "Breathing Through You".

San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD have garnered the first Grammy nomination of their career for "Aesthetics of Hate", a monstrous track from the critically hailed album "The Blackening", released in March 2007. The song is nominated for "Best Metal Performance".

"Best Metal Performance" Grammy nominees:

AS I LAY DYING - "Nothing Left"
KING DIAMOND - "Never Ending Hill"
MACHINE HEAD - "Aesthetics Of Hate"
SHADOWS FALL - "Redemption"
SLAYER - "Final Six"

The 50th annual Grammy Awards will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday, February 10, 2007.

"Aesthetics of Hate", an anthemic song built around a firestorm of riffs, was inspired by an article of the same name that appeared on a popular neo-conservative website that addressed the on-stage shooting of legendary PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott by attacking him as an "untalented possessor of a guitar" and his fans as "pathetic and ugly." While "Aesthetics of Hate" isn't about Dimebag per se, it is a mighty metallic reaction to the author's skewed perception of the metal scene.

MACHINE HEAD frontman/guitarist Robb Flynn commented: "We are completely blown away, and honored by this. It's incredible that the anger of this song has connected with so many people. It proves to Dimebag's detractors the positive impact he had on his fans and fellow bands alike."

A preview video for AYREON's upcoming album, "01011001", can be viewed here. The CD is scheduled for release on January 28 via InsideOut Music.

AYREON is the brainchild of Dutch guitarist/composer Arjen Lucassen. The group will make its new rock opera, entitled "01011001", available in three editions:

* a regular two-CD edition with a 28 page booklet.
* a Special Edition: a box containing the regular 2CD edition and a bonus DVD.
* a Deluxe Limited Edition, a DVD size fold-out case with embossed silver lettering on the slipcase. This edition contains the 2 CDs and a bonus DVD* plus a 36 page booklet with additional artwork.

The bonus DVD contains:

* Behind the Scenes - Making of 01011001
* Beneath the Waves - CGI Movie (5.1/2.0)
* Guide Demos (audio) - feat. Arjen on vocals
* Ed Warby's Session - Recording drums
* Bloopers (audio)

According to legend, a NOEKK is as volatile as the water of the river, the sea or the well he protects. This creature, which is as fickle as it is fascinating, is a reflection of "The Minstrel's Curse", the mythical duo's third album.

The NOEKK has left the puddles in the hinterland of vintage Progressive Rock, unexpectedly popping up in waters far from home, not giving a damn about genre issues. But although NOEKK still excel through their outstanding musical diversity and shuddle between classic Metal elements, epic Mellotron parts, dreamlike piano passages, and the familiar obscure atmosphere, none of their albums was making its point as boldly as "The Minstrel's Curse" does.

You can pre-listen "The Minstrel's Curse" here.

SEPULTURA's video for the song "Ostia" can be viewed here. The second clip from the Brazilian thrashers' "Dante XXI" album was shot at a studio in São Paulo, Brazil in March 2007 prior to the band's departure for their European tour. During the following week, the video crew and the main actor shot the outdoor scenes in downtown São Paulo. The script, which adapts the story from the book "The Divine Comedy" to the modern days, was directed by Geraldo Moraes.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser is putting the finishing touches on his solo debut, entitled "Hubris I & II". A two-disc set, it is tentatively scheduled for release in April 2008 via Holland's Mascot Records. The CD was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo, Brazil.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich recently spoke to Revolver magazine about the band's much-anticipated new album, tentatively due in the spring via Warner Bros. Records.

"This stuff is certainly a lot more dynamic and a lot more varied than the last couple of go-rounds," he said. "There's a lot of light and shade in these songs. There's heavy, fast, nutty stuff, and then there's some slowdowns and musical interludes. It's pretty different from 'St. Anger', and it's pretty different from the 'Load' stuff. This stuff is not the one-dimensional punch in the face that 'St. Anger' was. This is probably a little more like those couple of albums back there in the decade that begins with an '8.'"

When asked if the material represents a return to the "old school," Lars replied, "I hate to be that specific, because six months from now people are gonna go, 'What the fuck? Lars lied to us!' But it feels that way to me. It's been no secret that Rick [Rubin, producer] suggested to us that we use a couple of those records as reference points — that we spend some time kind of accessing that headspace. So when we would come to forks in the road, sometimes the exercise became, 'What would we have done at this point in 1985?'"

Finally Funker Vogt will record a live DVD in 2008! The Show takes place at the K17 in Berliln, Germany. Here is the webpage of the Club: _www.k17.de_(http://www.k17.de/). We recommend to order tickets rather early, as tickets will get sold out soon for this special event. Funker Vogt will perform a best of show. The Fans
will hear songs from each of the 7 Albums and several EPs Funker Vogt released in the past 11 years. Funker Vogt promises their fans a brilliant show, with spectacular light effects and all the Funker Vogt classics! This is the
event in 2008 for each and every Funker Vogt Fan!

ILL NINO has issued the following update:

"We're truly sorry about this, but [the new ILL NINO album] 'Enigma' will not be released on the 8th of this month. The release date was pushed back, and changed by our label, and is totally beyond our control. All six of us in ILL NINO want nothing more then to be able to release 'Enigma' for you all, and tour for all of our friends around the world!! Next week we will have the new 'Enigma' release date for you all."

ILL NINO's last release was the "The Undercover Sessions" EP, which came out in November 2006 through Cement Shoes. The CD was comprised of three of ILL NINO's favorite cover songs from bands they loved growing up as fans, and two brand new songs — all overseen by legendary producer Andy Johns (LED ZEPPELIN, VAN HALEN, OZZY OSBOURNE), Dave Chavarri and Eddie Wohl (ANTHRAX, 36 CRAZYFISTS, MACHINE HEAD). The EP was the band's first release through Cement Shoes following their split with the Roadrunner label.

Sweden's BURST has issued the following update:

"Songs for our coming album are almost completed, and right now we are polishing and scrutinizing and paying attention to even the smallest of details. We are confident that the end result will be worth all this work and end up in an album that will feel is the absolute most accomplished effort we've ever been able to squeeze from our system. Recording will start in April.

"Buuut, in the meantime we will perform one or two domestic gigs:

"First up, we've been given the opportunity to play the northern Swedish town of Umeå. The Amplified Festival will feature us playing alongside bands like SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, CULT OF LUNA and a bunch of indie rock. Saturday the 26th of January is the date, and we're aiming at performing one or two of our new puppies there. Hope you'll enjoy. We'll also do another festival in March. Keep your eyes open for announcements soon enough."

Vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ex-ICED EARTH, JUDAS PRIEST) has issued the following update:

"Things are good on this end. The new BEYOND FEAR songs are really sounding great. I really can't wait to get in the studio! Also, I have a really cool project that I will be working on real soon, the news will be released in due time, it should be a lot of fun. But this will not change the timing of BEYOND FEAR.

"A big thanks to the thousands of emails that have come in with nothing but support and kind words! I thank you all for that."

Owens was dismissed from ICED EARTH in December — three months after the release of the group's latest album, "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I".

German thrash/hardcore metal band HATE SQUAD will release its fifth album, "Degüello Wartunes", in March via Dockyard 1/Soulfood. The CD was recorded at Rape Of Harmonies Studios (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MAROON, NARZISS) in Triptis, Germany and features guest appearances by HEAVEN SHALL BURN's Marcus Bischoff and MAINTAIN's Timo Böhling.

"Degüello Wartunes" track listing:

01. Degüello Wartunes
02. Rise Up
03. Killing Spree
04. At The End Alone
05. Anger From The Gutter
06. Aggro Manticore
07. Never Surrender...Die Fighting!
08. My War
09. Shank
10. Hannover H8core
11. Rivers Of Blood

HATE SQUAD's fourth album, "H8 for the Masses" came out in 2004 via Swellcreek Records. The CD was recorded at Horus Sound Studio (KREATOR, PARADISE LOST, GUANO APES) with producer Herman Frank (ACCEPT, VICTORY).

HATE SQUAD is:

Burkhard Schmitt (Vocals)
Mark Künnemann (Guitars)
Helge Dolgener (Drums)
Bauke De Groot (Bass)
Martin Blankenburg (Guitars)

HAMMERFALL has been nominated for a Grammis award (Swedish Grammy equivalent) in the "Regeringens Exportpris" category. According to the band, "this is an award presented by the Swedish government to someone who they feel has done a lot to give Swedish music exposure abroad."

The Grammis awards show will be held January 9, 2008 at Globen in Stockholm. The show will be broadcast on Sweden's TV4 beginning at 8:00 p.m.

HAMMERFALL's two-CD "best-of" set called "Steel Meets Steel - Ten Years of Glory" last October entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 53. The set also landed on the Swedish chart at No. 15.

Massachusetts-based death/doom metallers SHROUD OF BEREAVEMENT have announced the addition of lead female vocalist Katie Bunting to the group's ranks. "Katie, previous lead singer for the band TWELFTH OF NEVER, will be lending her beautiful vocal styling to SHROUD's already somber and enigmatic music," reads a statement from the group.

Following the success of its debut album, which came out this past August, SHROUD OF BEREAVEMENT has began writing music for the new CD, entitled "A Beautiful Winter", and will be hitting the studio sometime this summer. Expect "an hour of neo classical death/doom metal of the darkest fashion imaginable."

The cover artwork for HATE ETERNAL's new album, "Fury and Flames", can be viewed at this location (artwork by Paul Romano, who has previously worked with MASTODON, ANIMOSITY and THE RED CHORD). The follow-up to 2005's "I, Monarch" is said to be the band's most diverse and emotionally fuelled record to date, due mainly in part to the passing of bassist and good friend Jared Anderson.

HATE ETERNAL founder and vocalist/guitarist Erik Rutan recently did an interview with MTV.com where he stated, "Jared was one of my best friends, and his passing away really affected me and influenced this record a lot. It's a very dark and heavy record — not just heavy as in 'heavy metal,' but heavy-hearted as well."

"Fury and Flames" features new members Shaune Kelley on second guitar and Jade Simonetto on drums. The addition of Shaune means that this will be the first time HATE ETERNAL will be able to perform as a four-piece live — something fans will be able to experience when the band heads out with labelmates THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. Alex Webster of CANNIBAL CORPSE fame stepped in on bass for the recording, but due to his hectic schedule with CANNIBAL will not be able to tour with the band.

Due on February 19, "Fury and Flames" will feature the following track listing:

01. Hell Envenom
02. Whom Gods May Destroy
03. Para Bellum
04. Bringer of Storms
05. The Funerary March
06. Thus Salvation
07. Proclamation of the Damned
08. Fury Within
09. Tombeau (Le Tombeau De La Fureur et Des Flames)
10. Coronach

SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE mastermind Tomer Pink has issued the following update:

"Some songs are already recorded without vocals while some others are waiting to me to finish demoing. I do some of the recording in my studio thus I allow myself to take the time and rearrange things conveniently to make a hell of an album! For now I can revel that the third piece in 'X' trilogy will be entitled 'In Pastille Colors'. I've been traveling the world quite a bit the past few years so you could expect to hear some of these influences along with the regular SUBMASQ twist.

"Honestly, I do take the time and hoping to make an album I will be happy with for years to come. In the meantime, I promise to let you guys hear some new stuff soon. There is one song from the 'Suspended Animation Dreams' session that was never released (our heavier one yet, I think) so I might release this along with some new tracks. We'll see!"

Hailing from various parts of the USA, SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE was originally formed in 1997 by Tomer as a means of self-expression of his deepest and darkest thoughts and emotions.

Pacific Northwest band AGALLOCH has issued the following update:

"We've recently posted a new song ('Sowilo Rune') from our upcoming EP, 'The White EP', to be released by Vendlus Records on February 29. As with all of our EPs and limited releases, this is not necessarily a sign of things to come. We envision small releases as opportunities to experiment and try new things without the weighty demands of a full-length release. So, expect a different sound, but also expect something that sits nicely with the rest of our work. You may pre-order 'The White EP' here.

"In the meantime, we are looking ahead at a fourth album and will post updates when necessary. Lastly, we've postedour cover of 'Kneel To The Cross' by one of our favorite groups, SOL INVICTUS. If you have yet to hear the original, we encourage you to seek out their album 'Death of the West'. However, most of us agree that SOL INVICTUS' best album remains 'The Blade'."

"The White EP" is the follow-up to 2004's "The Grey EP" and completes a dichotomy of releases for Vendlus Records. "The White EP" contains seven dark folk and ambient works written and recorded over the past three years.

"The White EP" track listing:

01. The Isle Of Summer
02. Birch Black
03. Hollow Stone
04. Pantheist
05. Birch White
06. Sowilo Rune
07. Summerisle Reprise

AGALLOCH last year parted ways with drummer Chris Greene and replaced him with Aesop from LUDICRA.

AGALLOCH released its critically acclaimed album, "Ashes Against the Grain" in August 2007 via The End Records.

Finnish metallers SHADE EMPIRE will release their third album, "Zero Nexus", on March 12 via Dynamic Arts Records. Most of the recording sessions took place at Studio 33 in Kuopio, Finland and this time the band used a real choir to boost the sound. The vocal recordings at Perkele Studios were overseen by producer and AJATTARA mastermind Ruoja (a.k.a. former AMORPHIS frontman Pasi Koskinen). The CD was mixed by Sami Niittykoski.

"Zero Nexus" track listing:

01. 9 In 1
02. Adam & Eve
03. Blood Colours The White
04. Flesh Relinquished
05. Harvesters Of Death
06. Serpent-Angel
07. Whisper From The Depths
08. Ecstasy Of Black Light
09. Victory

An early video report from the studio can be viewed below.

According to a press release, SHADE EMPIRE has created a sound which cannot be easily categorized. Their music contains industrial and symphonic elements while still staying true to its death/black metal roots.

SHADE EMPIRE's follow-up to 2006's "Intoxicate O.S." (which landed on the Finnish chart at position No. 25) will contain nine songs and two videos will be produced from it. The video production will be handled in part outside Finland and will be overseen by director Ari Reinikainen.

SHADE EMPIRE's "Slitwrist Ecstasy" single — taken from the "Intoxicate O.S." CD — entered the Finnish chart at No. 3.

Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI have posted an audio preview of their new album, "Korven Kuningas", on the band's MySpace page.

"Korven Kuningas" is scheduled for release on March 21, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records. Check out the cover artwork at this location. A new single, "Keep On Galloping", will precede the full-length effort on February 14, 2008 in both CD and 7" picture vinyl formats. It will also include the track "Paljon On Koskessa Kiviä". View the single cover artwork at this location.

"Korven Kuningas" track listing:

01. Tapporauta
02. Metsämies
03. Keep On Galloping
04. Northern Fall
05. Shall We Take A Turn?
06. Paljon On Koskessa Kiviä
07. Ali Jäisten Vetten
08. Gods On Fire
09. Kipakka (Japan bonus track)
10. Kantaiso
11. Kipumylly
12. Suden Joiku
13. Runamoine
14. Syntykoski Syömmehessäin
15. Korven Kuningas
16. Nuolet nomalan (digipack bonus track)

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES have set "A Sense of Purpose" as the title of their new album, due in Europe on April 4 via Nuclear Blast Records. "We are extremely happy with the end result and so proud of what we have achieved with the new album and can't wait for you all to hear it," the band says in a statement.

IN FLAMES' follow-up to 2006's "Come Clarity" was recorded at the band's own IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The group received assistance during the vocal-recording sessions from producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously produced the vocals on "Reroute To Remain", "Soundtrack To Your Escape" and "Come Clarity".

A new IN FLAMES track, entitled "Abnegation", is featured on the "Viva La Bands, Vol. 2" album, which was released on September 4, 2007 via Ferret Music and Filthy Note Records. The CD features exclusive tracks, written and recorded for the CD/DVD combo from some of Bam's favorite acts like CLUTCH, CKY, CHILDREN OF BODOM, VIKING SKULL and VAINS OF JENNA. A U.S.-exclusive track from SHINY TOY GUNS and music from other faves like GWAR, THE SOUNDS, DIMMU BORGIR and KILL HANNAH also appears on the compilation.

IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM, JOB FOR A COWBOY and HIGH ON FIRE will play this year's Gigantour in North America beginning mid-April and running through the end of May. Headlining the trek will be MEGADETH.

Finnish metal cellists APOCALYPTICA have scheduled the following dates:

Feb. 04 - Auditorio Coca Cola – Monterrey, MEX
Feb. 05 - National Auditorium - Mexico City, MEX
Feb. 06 - Teatro Diana – Guadalajara, MEX
Feb. 25 - Oktybrsky Hall - St. Peterburg, RUS
Feb. 26 - B1 – Moscow, RUS
Mar. 05 - Den Atelier – Luxembourg, LUX
Mar. 06 - L'Olympia – Paris, FRA
Mar. 07 - The Forum – London, UK
Jul. 02 - Grosse Freiheit – Hamburg, GER
Jul. 04 - Metalcamp Festival – Tolmin, SLO

APOCALYPTICA's new album, "Worlds Collide", had its U.S. release date pushed back to March 18, 2008 from the previously announced February 5, 2008. The CD, which entered the Finnish chart at position No. 8 and also landed on both the German and Swiss charts at No. 10, was made available in standard and "deluxe" versions, the latter of which is described as "truly a work of art both in its artwork and its content." The "deluxe" edition contains two bonus tracks — "Ural" and "Dreamer" — as well as a DVD. The DVD contains the "I'm Not Jesus" video along with the "making of" footage, plus an interview from the listening session in Berlin and a photo gallery.

"Worlds Collide" features guest appearances by Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR), Till Lindemann (RAMMSTEIN), Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL), Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), and Adam Gontier (THREE DAYS GRACE).

Guitarist Eric Peterson of the veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT recently spoke to Decibel magazine about the group's forthcoming album, "The Formation of Damnation", due in North America on April 29 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The band recently spent time recording the effort with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.

"The album is very traditional-sounding," Peterson told Decibel. "The ideology of what we're doing is like 'The Legacy' [1987]. But the musicianship's a lot better, so it's like 'The Gathering' [1999]. As most bands record their first, second and third albums, they're developing, developing, developing… until they've got their sound. Then they get worse. As a rule, you get good when you're starving and start slipping as soon as you're eating well. We never really made it to the big time. But, then again, we didn't fail. Because we've always been on that borderline, we've never had to make the kinds of compromises that end up killing so many bands. As we see it, we're better off doing what we do best, especially since things seem to have turned full circle. Kids even have long hair again."

TESTAMENT recently recruited Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC) to play the drums on new CD. The group was previously rehearsing and writing new material with British drummer Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR), but Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and international work visa issues have prevented Barker from continuing to be involved in the project.

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers has issued the following update:

"I trust and hope you all had a really good new year and X-mas — I know I did. Me, the girlfriend and child went to Mexico city for our friends' wedding. It was fantastic, I've never been on a wedding in Mexico before and it was beautiful. The next day we all went to Acapulco for New Year's and had a really good time. It was hotter there than I've ever experienced before. A truly magnificent place, I recommend you to go there some time. Now I'm back in Sweden, where it's cold and snowing finally. I've longed for the snow for a long time now so I'm happy. The last few years we didn't get snow until March or something 'cause of the global warming thing. Kind of scary that everything about the seasons is changing more and more for every year."

IN FLAMES recently completed work on the follow-up to 2006's "Come Clarity" at the band's own IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The group received assistance during the vocal-recording sessions from producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously produced the vocals on "Reroute To Remain", "Soundtrack To Your Escape" and "Come Clarity".

According to Showbiz Spy, rumors of a duet between Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne at this year's the Brit Awards (the British equivalent of the Grammy Awards) have been shot down by the award show's bosses.

The legendary music gods were reported to be collaborating on a unique version of Bond theme "Live And Let Die" for the music bash at London's Earls Court on February 20.

"It is not true at all," says a spokesperson. "Someone made it up."

58-year-old Ozzy — who will be hosting the ceremony with wife Sharon, 55 — is still nervous because he's concerned about making a fool of himself in front of his idol.

"The Brits have been playing on Ozzy's mind," a pal told Britain's Daily Star newspaper. "He's worried about coming a cropper in front of Macca."

Sir Paul, 65, will receive the Outstanding Contribution To Music gong at the award show, to be held in London later this year.

Drummer Adrian Erlandsson (NEMHAIN, ex-CRADLE OF FILTH) will play drums for the industrial goth metal band DEATHSTARS on their upcoming European tour as the support act for KORN. However, due to "prior arrangements," Adrian won't join the tour until January 25 in London.

DEATHSTARS' regular drummer, Bone W Machine, is sitting out the tour due to "personal reasons." "I hope you all understand this and don't throw an EMO fit [over the fact that I am not doing the tour]," Bone writes in a statement. "And no, I am not leaving the band."

DEATHSTARS entered Metrosonic Recording Studios in New York City on October 29 to begin recording of their new album for a spring 2008 release via Nuclear Blast Records. According to the group, "this album will start another chapter in [DEATHSTARS'] history of vanity, darkness, blood and sleaze."

The band adds, "The recording sessions will continue throughout November and December and the mix is set for January so get prepared for a 2008 filled with exploding deathglam!"

HEADHUNTER, the reunited German band featuring DESTRUCTION frontman Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael, and guitarist Schmuddel (ex-TALON), is currently mixing its comback album, "Parasite of Society", with Achim Köhler in Stuttgart, Germany. According to a posting on the DESTRUCTION web site, "this pure metal masterpiece will be released in April 2008 via AFM Records in Europe, Candlelight Records in the USA, andKing Records in Japan."

HEADHUNTER had its trio of albums originally issued during Schmier's years away from DESTRUCTION — "Parody of Life" (1990), "A Bizarre Gardening Accident" (1992), and "Rebirth" (1994) — re-released on September 7, 2007 via AFM Records.

HEADHUNTER has been confirmed for next year's installment of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany.