X-WORLD/5, the new band featuring KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque alongside ex-HAMMERFALL bassist Magnus Rosén and PAGAN'S MIND vocalist Nils K.Rue, will release its debut album, "New Universal Order", on February 29, 2008 via Germany's AFM Records.

The group, whose mission is to "bring heavy metal into the future," consists of the following musicians:

Magnus Rosen (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
Nils K.Rue (PAGAN'S MIND) - Vocals
Big Swede - Drums
Reeves Gabrels (TIN MACHINE, DAVID BOWIE) – Insane Guitars
Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) – Heavy Guitars

For more information, including audio samples, visit www.x-world5.com.

Germany's DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER has released a trailer for its upcoming DVD, "Tobsucht - Reitermania Over Wacken & Party.San", to be released on February 1, 2008 via Nuclear Blast. The disc will feature the band's complete show at Wacken Open Air 2007 in front of 50,000 metalheads and the special old-school concert (featuring songs from the first three records only) at Party.San Open Air 2007. Also included will be a road movie of the band's railway tour through Russia and Ukraine in January 2007 featuring live footage from shows in Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Bonus material will include interviews with all bandmembers, rare backstage material and footage shot by the winners of the fan video contest. The limited luxury-box edition of the DVD will contain two live audio CDs with the Wacken Open Air and Party.San shows.

Guitarist Sander Gommans of the Dutch symphonic metallers AFTER FOREVER — who suffered a seizure on November 30 while en route to a gig — has issued the following update:

"Just a little update about me, though I can't give you any clear information about my health right now. I feel OK, but fatigued, and the doctors still don't know what caused the attack so more tests are in order. Since it could still be related to the burnout, I have to try to take it easy again, which is of course extremely frustrating.

I'm sure I cannot do the upcoming gig and I can't tell you when I'll be performing again. I guess I'll just have to be patient.

"We decided that AFTER FOREVER will still do the December gigs, with some special features. Go and and check them out, I'm sure it'll be great and I'll try to attend some gigs too. Hope to see some of you there!"

According to RollingStone.com, the 1991 multi-platinum LP "The Black Album" was the last METALLICA disc recorded outside their cozy confines in the Bay Area. With that in mind, producer Rick Rubin encouraged the guys to lay down new tracks in L.A. "Rick thought it'd be beneficial for the gang to get out of the comfort zone of our back yards," drummer Lars Ulrich tells RollingStone.com. "We've been tripping up and down to L.A. since April, and the results have been better than good." As of Thanksgiving, the only hurdles left are overdubs and James Hetfield's vocals. "That's it," says Ulrich. "We're very alive and well."

Australian atmospheric/gothic/doom metal band THE ETERNAL has issued the following update:

"This weekend Marty lays down the drum tracks for the new [THE ETERNAL] album 'Kartika'. Mark, Terry and Marty are heading to Mixmaster Studios in Adelaide tomorrow to met up with engineer Ian Miller and get this show on the road!

"It has nearly been three years since we recorded 'Sleep of Reason', so we are really looking forward to getting into the studio and laying down some new tracks!

"We have guitars & vocals locked in for the rest of December and January, so we are feeling pretty confident the album will be complete and ready to master in February 2008."

"Kartika" projected track listing (in no particular order):

01. Self Inflicted
02. Means for an Ending
03. Blood
04. Without Reason
05. A Pale Reflection
06. Illuminate
07. Walk Beside You
08. Brighter Day
09. Kartika
10. Silence
11. July
12. Lost Our Way
13. Inside the Grey
14. I've Seen The Dream Through Someone Else's Eyes
15. Sunshine
16. Frozen Sun
17. Last Embrace

OPETH's "The Roundhouse Tapes" high-definition-filmed DVD has had its projected release date pushed back to September 2008 from the previously announced early 2008. This will also feature lots of fan interviews, band interviews, soundcheck footage and live photos, along with exclusive menu music written by mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt and keyboardist Per Wiberg.

OPETH's "The Roundhouse Tapes" double CD has sold 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set contains "a captivating OPETH performance from the Camden Roundhouse, London, UK, on November 9, 2006, and sees the band in scintillating form churning out a selection of classics from their illustrious career," according to a press release.

OPETH is currently recording the follow-up to 2005's "Ghost Reveries" for an early 2008 release via Roadrunner Records.

The band will take part in DREAM THEATER's "Progressive Nation" next spring, a package tour that will also feature the talents of 3 and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

"Ghost Reveries" has sold around 90,000 copies in the United States since its 2005 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Telegraph.co.uk reports: UK sales of LED ZEPPELIN's back catalogue soared today after the spectacular success of their one-off reunion concert.

The group's best-of album, "Mothership", have already gone platinum, meaning it has sold more than 300,000 copies, but Gennaro Castaldo, a spokesman for HMV, said it was on track to become one of the biggest best-sellers.

Sales of the album at the company's 240 stores leapfrogged those of WESTLIFE and THE SPICE GIRLS to become the chain's number one seller.

"Sales of their album have had a massive, massive boost by the concert," he said.

"It was our best-selling album today, up from number eight last week. LED ZEPPELIN t-shirts have also been our most popular since the concert."

Castaldo said that sales of the band's DVD, "The Song Remains the Same", and its back catalogue had rocketed by 500 per cent since the concert.

The LED ZEPPELIN official website became the third most visited for an artist or band, beaten only by KATIE MELUA and RADIOHEAD.

The web was also awash with calls from the army of followers for the British group to announce a world tour.

ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer has issued the following statement:

"Hello, dear friends!

"Once again the winds of change are upon us, and this time I can say that I am very happy about the result.

"While out on the European tour I had several in depth discussions with many loyal ICED EARTH fans. A common theme of these discussions was how much Matt is missed. I agreed with the fans that things were not the same and that it was a very special period in ICED EARTH's history.

"When I heard several months ago that Matt [Barlow] was going to be doing a project in music again, I was thinking about contacting him and seeing what his intentions were. I didn't act on this because I was so focused on the writing of the new epic, and frankly, it just didn't seem realistic.

"Well, after getting out on the road and speaking with many of you directly, I decided to call Matt and see how he was doing and if he was interested in working together again. I am proud to say that he is coming back to ICED EARTH and we will be getting back to work in the studio very soon.

"Matt will be singing on Part 2 of the 'Something Wicked' concept CD and we will be looking forward to getting out on tour and delivering a series of ICED EARTH shows that will rival any in the history of the band. And there will be a proper DVD filmed from this period, something we’ve all been waiting for.

"I want you all to know that it was you who made this a reality. I have missed Matt's presence onstage and in my personal life in a big way over the past few years, so I appreciate your honesty in our discussions. It did help me realize the decision to move forward with pursuing this. The fans have spoken and we have delivered!

"You true fans know that I'm a straight shooter, I say what I mean and mean what I say. And though I value your opinions greatly, you must believe that this is a decision that comes completely from the heart and is not motivated by anything other than what feels the best for ICED EARTH. This is the way that things have always been dealt with, for better or for worse, but always honestly and from the heart.

"Tim Owens is a great and talented singer and I wish the best for him and his future on a personal and professional level.

"There will be more news soon as to further developments and plans. This will push back the release of Part 2 a bit. Not because we couldn't be ready to record in time, but because of a new addition to Matt's family in early 2008!

"I am very happy to announce that ICED EARTH is truly BACK!"

ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS, the band featuring FEAR FACTORY frontman Burton C. Bell and John Bechdel (MINISTRY, KILLING JOKE, FALSE ICONS), will release its full-length debut, "Numinosum", on February 19, 2008 via MINISTRY frontman Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records

Commented Bell: "I am very excited about this. Finally, after five years of diligence and prayer, my patience has paid off."

He added, "I have booked three shows in the Northeast, trying to book one more. I am planning the shows around the release date of 'Numinosum'."

"Numinosum" track listing:

01. Ascendant
02. Evading
03. Residual Presence
04. Canon For My Beloved
05. Moon Shine
06. Becoming Mars
07. On The River
08. Violent Morning
09. Like Falling Snow
10. Sounds Of Silence
11. Quintessence

Check out the "Numinosum" artwork at this location.

Swedish metallers FALCONER have entered KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Gothenburg to begin recording their sixth album for a fall 2008 release via Metal Blade Records.

FALCONER guitarist Stefan Weinerhall previously stated about the upcoming CD. "The lyrics will all be about Swedish medieval life and episodes. Not a concept album really but still something in that direction. What I decided early on what that it wouldn't become 'Northwind Pt. 2'. 'Northwind' is as good as it can be, therefore we'll make things a tad different this time."

FALCONER recently extended its deal with Metal Blade for another four albums.

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN today announced they have renewed and extended their historic 28-year recording relationship with EMI for the world excluding USA.

MAIDEN's manager Rod Smallwood commented: "We've had three tremendous decades working with EMI and have many friends there. Through many 'regimes,' EMI have always given us their full support and our relationship with their companies worldwide has always been excellent. We've got some great plans for 2008 and beyond, and I can't wait to get back on the road next year on a tour which appropriately celebrates the band's formative years."

Tony Wadsworth, Chairman & CEO, EMI Music UK said, "Since the early Eighties MAIDEN has been a flagship band for EMI and we have enjoyed a fantastic long-term relationship. Now that we can work with and support them in their broader music activities, our goal is to help build on the foundations already in place for an even more successful future."

On February 5, 2008 MAIDEN will release the highly anticipated DVD of "Live after Death" and to tie in with this will play songs mainly from their classic '80s albums on this forthcoming tour. The stage production will also feature a production-based on the Egyptian-themed "Powerslave Tour" which was featured on the original 1985 video release of "Live after Death".

POISONBLACK, the Finnish band featuring former SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala, has entered Soundmix Studio in the group's hometown of Oulu with producer Kari Vähäkuopus to begin recording its third album, entitled "A Dead Heavy Day".

Commented drummer Tarmo Kanerva: "On the one hand, there is going to be some really melodic songs, and on the other hand, the heavy stuff is heavier than anything we have ever done before. Still, you won't need to be afraid of dramatic changes. It'll be the typical POISONBLACK sound."

POISONBLACK last year entered the Finnish national album chart with its sophomore CD, "Lust Stained Despair", at position No. 2.

Former ANGRA/SHAAMAN frontman André Matos has inked a deal with SPV for the European release of his solo debut, "Time to be Free". Due on February 25, 2008, the CD — which came out in Japan on August 22 via Avalon/Marquee Inc. — was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST) and Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY, FREEDOM CALL) between November 2006 and February 2007 at Ultra Sonica and Brainless Brothers Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany.

"Time to be Free" track listing:

01. Menuett
02. Letting Go
03. Rio
04. Remember Why
05. How Long (Unleashed Way)
06. Looking Back
07. Face The End
08. Time To Be Free
09. Rescue
10. A New Moonlight
11. Endeavour
12. Separate Ways (World Apart) (Japanese bonus track)

MIDNATTSOL, the German-Norwegian band featuring vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes (the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine), will release its second album, entitled "Nordlys" (translated: Northern Light), on March 28, 2008 via Napalm Records. The CD will be mixed by Tue Madsen while the mastering will be handled by Mika Jusilla at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

01. Open Your Eyes
02. Skogens Lengsel
03. Northern Light
04. Konkylie
05. Wintertimes
06. Race Of Time
07. New Horizon
08. River Of Virgin Soil
09. En Natt I Nord
10. Octobre (limited-edition bonus track)

THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson has issued the following update:

"Today the 20 year anniversary tour starts where we will perform the entire 'Theli' album. We therefore have printed a lot of 'Theli'-related merchandise plus some other old designs from the 'Lemuria'/'Sirius B' era that we never ended up using using back then. Some designs will be available also through THERION Store after the tour, others may be if there's a remaining stock, if not they will be unique for the tour. We'll also offer super deals on some remaining stock from the last tour as long as it lasts.

"Apart from that we have built a special stage for this event and prepared a special show to ensure you to get the best THERION show you've ever seen. So be there or be sorry!

"There will be a DVD recorded from the tour. However, due to DVD releases of the classical show in Hungary last year and the show we recorded in Poland in January, a DVD from the tour we're doing now will be put in the vaults for quite some time, not to flood our potential buyers with products. We're making a new album in 2009 and will release it and tour on it in 2010, so earliest would be to sync that, if the record label prefer it to be in a time with no other releases, then we'll push it to 2011."

THERION's latest studio album, the dual-disc "Gothic Kaballah", was released in North America on February 6 via Nuclear Blast Records.

A rough-mix version of a brand new DOKKEN track, entitled "Oasis", is available for streaming on the band's Myspace Page. The song comes off the group's upcoming CD, "Lightning Strikes Again", due in March/April 2008 via Rhino Records in the U.S. and Frontiers Records in Europe. The follow-up to 2004's "Hell to Pay" will feature the lineup of Don Dokken (vocals), Jon Levin (guitar, ex-WARLOCK), Barry Sparks (bass, TED NUGENT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MSG) and Mick Brown (drums).

"It will be a very heavy progressive record," Dokken told Deb Rao of KNAC.COM earlier in the year. "Just some cool songs, some dark songs, and some medium tempo. Some of the best work that I have done in years. I am not looking for any kind of sound. I am just writing whatever spiritual inspiration comes to me. You could say the sound is very heavy, like 'Kiss of Death'."

Rhino Records in March revisited DOKKEN's early days with a pair of releases packed with previously unissued material. The first release, a CD entitled "From Conception: Live 1981", captures DOKKEN in an early, previously unseen concert recorded before the band signed with Elektra. The second release is the DVD debut of the band's first home video, the platinum-certified "Unchain the Night", which is expanded with unreleased videos and new extended interviews with the band.

Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have issued the following update:

"So what happened in the DREAM EVIL camp the last six months? For family reasons our lead guitarist Mark Black unfortunately left the band and we now have a new (hairy and scary) axe swinger called Dannee Demon (aka Daniel Varghamne).

"DREAM EVIL will release a CD with some new songs and some old songs (which earlier only have been released as bonus tracks in Japan) combined with a live DVD recorded November 25, 2006 in Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg. The preliminary release date is now set to March/April 2008. The album will be called 'Gold Medal In Metal'.

"We are all working in our metal factories on making new splendid unbloody serious farmer metal anthems that hopefully will show up on our next studio album. We also hope that the upcoming live shows section will be filled with gigs in the near future near you."

Roadrunner Records has set a February 5, 2008 release date for the MVI (Music Video Interactive) version of CRADLE OF FILTH's "Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster". This special edition will include the following:

* The full "Thornography" album plus six all-new bonus tracks in incredible DVD-Audio and MP3 formats
* Three music videos: "Temptation", "Tonight In Flames", "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking"
* Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Footage
* Remixable Tracks
* Customizable Ringtones
* Exclusive downloadable wallpaper and AIM icons
* All-New Original Artwork

Plus new, exclusive updates featuring new unreleased music, videos and unparalleled access into the world of CRADLE OF FILTH.

"Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" track listing:

01. Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan
02. Dirge Inferno
03. Tonight In Flames
04. Libertina Grimm
05. The Byronic Man
06. I Am The Thorn
07. Cemetery And Sundown
08. Lovesick For Mina
09. The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking
10. Rise Of The Pentagram
11. Under Huntress Moon
12. Temptation
13. Murder In The Thirst
14. In The Snake-Eyed And Venomous
15. Halloween II (MISFITS cover) (remix)
16. Courting Baphomet
17. Stay (SHAKESPEARS SISTER cover)
18. Devil To The Metal
19. The Making Of The Video for "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking"

Most of the new songs featured on "Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" were written during the "Thornography" sessions but were completed at a later date.

BBC's "Newsnight" program aired a professionally filmed clip of the classic LED ZEPPELIN track "Black Dog", recorded earlier tonight (December 10) during the band's reunion concert at London's O2 arena. Watch the footage below. Another BBC report, featuring more footage from the concert, can be viewed at this location.

The setlist:

01. Good Times, Bad Times
02. Ramble On
03. Black Dog
04. In My Time Of Dying
05. For Your Life
06. Trampled Under Foot
07. Nobody's Fault But Mine
08. No Quarter
09. Since I've Been Loving You
10. Dazed and Confused
11. Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains the Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir

Encore:

15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock and Roll

he Associated Press reports that the death last month of Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band QUIET RIOT, has been ruled an accidental cocaine overdose.

Clark County coroner spokeswoman Samantha Charles confirmed the cause Monday (December 10) after toxicology results were received.

Dubrow was found dead Nov. 25 at his Las Vegas home. He was 52.

QUIET RIOT was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize". The song, featuring Dubrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" — which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

Regain Records has launched a special DISMEMBER MySpace page featuring a streaming version of the track "Europa Burns", taken from the Swedish death metal veterans' forthcoming eighth, self-titled album, due in Europe on February 18, 2008. The CD was recorded at B.A.S. studios with producer Nico Elgstrand (MURDER SQUAD, KRUX, MERCILESS, ENTOMBED). The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Death Conquers All
02. Europa Burns
03. Under A Bloodred Sky
04. The Hills Have Eyes
05. Legion
06. Tide Of Blood
07. Combat Fatigue
08. No Honor In Death
09. To End It All
10. Dark Depths
11. Black Sun

DISMEMBER will team up with HATESPHERE and FALL OF SERENITY for the "Europa Burns Tour 2008" beginning in early February.

Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST filmed their December 8, 2007 concert in Athens, Greece for an upcoming DVD.

According to Metalzone.gr, the group's setlist was as follows:

01. Intro
02. The Sign Of Prime Creation (Theogonia)
03. Keravnos Kivernitos (Theogonia)
04. Athanatoi Este (Sanctus Diavolos)
05. Enuma Elish (Theogonia)
06. King Of A Stellar War (Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers)
07. The Fifth Illusion (Non Serviam)
08. Archon (Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers)
09. The First Field Of The Battle (Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers)
10. Shadows Follow (Trirchy Of The Lost Lovers)
11. The Sign Of Evil Existence (Thy Mighty Contract)
12. Coronation Of The Serpent (Thy Mighty Contract)
13. The Old Coffin Spirit (Passage To Arcturo)
14. The Mystical Meeting (Apokathilosis EP)
15. Thou Art Blind (Khronos 666)
16. Morality Of A Dark Age (Non Serviam)
17. You My Cross (Sanctus Diavolos)
18. Saturn Unlock Avey's Son (Non Serviam)
19. Exiled Archangels (Thy Mighty Contract)
20. Sorrowfull Farewell (A Dead Poem)
21. Among Two Storms (A Dead Poem)
22. After Dark I Feel (Sleep Of The Angels)
23. In Domine Sathana (Genesis)
24. Nemecic (Theogonia)
25. Under The Name Of Legion (Genesis)
Encore:
26. Societas Satanas (THOU ART LORD cover)
27. Non Serviam (Non Serviam)

Swiss hard rockers SHAKRA have parted ways with bassist Oliver Linder due to "private reasons." According to the group, Oliver will stay in the band until his bandmates find a new bass player.

In a statement announcing his departure from the group, Oliver wrote: "We split on amicable terms. There were no musical or personal differences and I left the band because of private reasons only."

You can read Linder's entire statement at www.shakra.ch.

Bassists interested in applying for the vacant position in SHAKRA can contact the group at shakra@gmx.ch.