Veteran German hard rockers KINGDOM COME have confirmed the following dates in Russia:

Nov. 26 - Khabarovsk, Russia - Muzcomedy Theater
Nov. 27 - Vladivostok, Russia - Fesko Hall
Nov. 29 - Petropavlosk, Russia - Kamchatsky / Dom Officierov
Dec. 01 - Moscow, Russia - Apelsin
Dec. 02 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Lensoveta

The new Schelmish album Wir Werden Sehen typifies Schelmish’s folk-rock style which seems to be growing in popularity in Germany lately. If you like the sound of bagpipes and other more traditional instruments combined with your rockmusic, like fans of In Extremo or Saltatio Mortis do, you will almost definitely like Wir Werden Sehen. The medieval instruments lay out the melodies while the guitar riffs come in to stir things up a bit. It’s a combination that’s very pleasing to the ears.

Wir Werden Sehen will be released this Friday, October 19th, in Germany. Schelmish’s MySpace page currently has 4 full length songs from the new album that you can listen to.

tracklist :
01. Intro (The Holeyologists Prayer)
02. Gefangener Der Zeit
03. Ehrlich
04. Blitz
05. So Allein
06. Der Narr
07. Hunter
08. Stern
09. Kreuzzug Gegen Die Verlogenheit
10. Blessed Be
11. Das Moor
12. Andersland
13. Herr Niemand
14. Wir Werden Sehen
15. Rainbow
16. Outro

OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya has issued the following update:

"As I sit here sipping stale coffee and waiting for the bus to pick us up from the hotel, it dawned on me that I haven't written any updates or tour diaries (properly) yet. So here it is, enjoy.

"To begin with, the shows have been amazing. Each time we go out the level of your intensity increases beyond our wildest expectations. Thank you for your support, your belief, and your passion.

"Next, YES! 'The_Ascension' has been released and YES, some places have different versions. You get two extra tracks at Best Buy, Newbury Comics has autographed copies (yes we did them ALL by hand), and iTunes has an additional spoken-word piece (I wrote and recorded) PLUS it includes an exclusive digital booklet specifically designed for iTunes! I've been told the infuriating iTunes error has been remedied and all systems are GO! I just bought the album and downloaded it and it plays just fine.

"We get a lot of messages about where to buy the album, so hopefully this clears it up.

"OH! We are also about to release two new videos created with the visual genius, PR Brown. 'Confrontation' and 'Breed' should be released very soon and, as expected, we are extremely excited about them. 'Confrontation' will have a really unique feature that includes fan involvement but I can't reveal too much more about that or it would ruin the surprise."

OTEP's new album, "The_Ascension", sold 10,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 81 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Produced by Dave Fortman (MUDVAYNE, EVANESCENCE), "The_Ascension" sees the band challenging itself to avoid clichés and classifications and finding a new landscape of sound and vision. "We said 'genre limits and music fads be damned, let's write music that is important to us and that motivates us," explained Shamaya. "I wanted to write songs we believe in and let nothing stop us from building the album we want to make."

MANOWAR drummer Scott Columbus has told Brazil's NovoMetal.com that he is working on his first solo album.

"Over the past year, I've been working on a solo project, and it's instrumental — there is no vocals, it's all music," he said. "I've got about 80% of the songs [done] and hopefully, in the next year, 2008, it will get released. [Musically it's] a little different from MANOWAR, [but] it's really cool. It's fucking great driving music. You'll see yourself driving at high speeds if you listen to that."

MANOWAR has scheduled several German signing sessions at the end of November in connection with the release of the "Magic Circle Festival Volume I" DVD.

A release party for the "Magic Circle Festival Volume I" DVD will be held at The Fabrik (Barnerstrasse 36, 22765) in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday, November 22 at 20:00 and on Friday, November 23 at 20:00. According to a press release, "anyone who lives for true metal is invited. You'll be able to see a preview of the new 'Magic Circle Festival Volume I' DVD but that's not all... MANOWAR will be there playing live! Admission is FREE!"

On July 6 and July 7, 2007, 25,000 true metal fans gathered in Bad Arolsen, Germany to watch MANOWAR and a legion of other heavy metal warriors perform on the largest stage in the country. An incredible spectacle to behold at 40 meters wide, 16 meters deep, weighing 70 tons and requiring over 250,000 watts of power to run the PA systems and 442,000 watts of intense lighting.

Magic Circle Festival will be held annually from now on, with next year's festival scheduled for July 9-12, 2008. On the first day of next year's gathering, MANOWAR will sign as much stuff as they can and will give away "thousands" of free beers and copies of their new single as well as four custom-built chopper bikes, each belonging to one of the bandmembers. On top of that, MANOWAR will play their first six albums in their entirety, from "Battle Hymns" to "Kings of Metal".

So finally - FINALLY - we have some news on the DVD!

First - we have the title: VISIBLE! and second - we are happy to let you know that the DVD will be released as a double DVD (DVD2 will be limited though), and will cover 28 video clips (from classics such as A Day, Louise and Out Of The Rain up to new songs like Weak In My Knees and Hereos) plus an exclusive interview with Ronny Moorings, many live clips and some - very funny - backstage scenes.

Just - if you planned on a X-Mas present for your dearest one - sorry, we postponed the release to mid/late January 2008. We'd rather wanted to give our best instead of rushing to be in time for the x-mas sales. For environmental reasons we also decided to release this Double DVD in a double-CD case. Why waste all the extra plastic?

The promotional video for "Heroes" can still be viewed here. Here you can see another snippet from the DVD.

Clan of Xymox live:

Nov 16th -D - Leipzig - Moritzbastei
Dec 8th -RUS - Moscow - Tochka
Dec 21st -NL - Sittard - Fenix

An e-card for THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's new album, "Ire Works", can be accessed at this location. Due on November 13 through Relapse Records, the CD was recorded with long-time engineer Steve Evetts at his Omen Room Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

"Ire Works" track listing:

01. Fix Your Face
02. Lurch
03. Black Bubblegum
04. Sick On Sunday
05. When Acting As A Particle
06. Nong Eye Gong
07. When Acting As A Wave
08. 82588
09. Milk Lizard
10. Party Smasher
11. Dead As History
12. Horse Hunter
13. Mouth Of Ghosts

Video footage of the band rehearsing a new song called "Party Smasher" can be viewed below.

The cover artwork for the upcoming album from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project, entitled "The Scarecrow", can be found at this location. Due at the end of January via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD is expected to feature guest appearances by the following artists:

Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (MAGNUM; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN; vocals)
Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (KAMELOT; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS; guitar)

"The Scarecrow" track listing:

01. Twisted Mind
02. The Scarecrow
03. Shelter From The Rain
04. Carry Me Over
05. What Kind Of Love
06. Another Angel Down
07. The Toy Master
08. Devil In The Belfry
09. Cry Just A Little
10. I Don't Believe In Your Love
11. Lost In Space

Napalm Records has announced the signing of the Dutch folk metal act HEIDEVOLK. According to a press release, "the band uses clean male vocals, traditional instruments like horns, violins, as well as the the Jew's harp, and combines these with powerful yet melodic metal. The lyrics, written in their native language, reflect the historic past of their home province Gelderland, but also Germanic mythology and nature is a source of inspiration. The artwork of the yet-untitled album will be created by Klaas Lageveen (BURZUM, HADES ALMIGHTY). S&K Studio with producer Dick Kemper are booked for a mid November start date, and Bardur Eklund (TÝR) will equip these pagans with fitting promotional photographs. A release is tentatively scheduled for April 2008."

Swedish metallers SATARIEL have set "White Ink" as the title of their new full-length album. The CD, which will will likely feature ten new songs, "will continue in the sound of [the band's mini-CD] 'Chifra', which was released earlier this year, but probably will have a little more aggressivity and 'evil' added to it this time, as the lyrics pretty much demand that this time around," the band writes in a press release. "Also — a new songwriter is now found in SATARIEL — namely [guitarist] Simon Johansson (of MEMORY GARDEN) who replaces Mikael Granqvist. This will surely add a new aspect to the sound, as he is a great composer!"

"Chifra" was mixed by Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESSHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Magnus Alakangas at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden and features artwork and layout by Pär Johansson. Lyrically, the CD is said to be "a sort of ending of the concept which was the basis" for SATARIEL's third album, "Hydra", according to a statement from the band.

A three-minute trailer for the forthcoming "20 Years of Nuclear Blast" two-DVD set can be viewed below. Due on November 30 via Nuclear Blast, the collection — as the title implies — celebrates the 20th anniversary of the German metal label, featuring two DVDs with almost six hours' worth of footage, including 70 promotional clips and a four-part history of the label hosted by DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer.

The following clips can be found on the "20 Years of Nuclear Blast" two-DVD set:

01. DIMMU BORGIR - Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse
02. IMMORTAL - One By One
03. HYPOCRISY - Scrutinized
04. GOREFEST - The Glorious Dead
05. KATAKLYSM - Manipulator Of Souls
06. BENEDICTION - I Bow To None
07. PUNGENT STENCH - Shrunken And Mumified Bitch
08. BELPHEGOR - Sanctus Perversum
09. NILE - The Language Of The Shadows
10. DEATH - Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
11. MALEVOLENT CREATION - Assasin Squad
12. DESTRUCTION - The Butcher Strikes Back
13. DEW SCENTED - Cities Of The Dead
14. ANTHRAX - What Doesn’t Die
15. EXODUS - Riot Act
16. DEATH ANGEL - The Devil Incarnate
17. I - Warriors
18. SONIC SYNDICATE - Psychic Suicide
19. CLAWFINGER - The Price We Pay
20. CHIMAIRA - Worthless
21. IN FLAMES - Only For The Weak
22. MESHUGGAH - Future Breed Machine
23. SOILWORK - Exile
24. THE DESTINY PROGRAM - Project Hoax
25. SCAR SYMMETRY - The Illusionist
26. THREAT SIGNAL - Counterbalance
27. MNEMIC - Ghost
28. EKTOMORF - Destroy
29. AGNOSTIC FRONT - Warriors
30. ALL SHALL PERISH - Eradication
31. BLEED THE SKY - God In The Frame
32. DARKANE - Solitary Confinement
33. THE DUSKFALL - Trust Is Overrated
34. ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET - So Grim, So True, So Real
35. WINTERSUN - Winter Madness
36. HAMMERFALL - Hammerfall
37. RIDE THE SKY - New Protection
38. EDGUY - King Of Fools
39. BLIND GUARDIAN - The New Order
40. SONATA ARCTICA - Caleb
41. GOTTHARD - Master Of Illusion
42. RAGE - Full Moon
43. GRAVE DIGGER - Valhalla
44. HELLOWEEN - Immortal
45. STRATOVARIUS - Why Are We Here
46. TAROT - Before The Skies Comes Down
47. THUNDERSTONE - Face In The Mirror
48. COMMUNIC - Conspiracy In Mind
49. THRESHOLD - Slipstream
50. CANDLEMASS - Of Stars And Smoke
51. CATHEDRAL - Corpsecycle
52. NIGHTWISH - Eva
53. AFTER FOREVER - Transitory
54. EPICA - Never Enough
55. ECHOES OF ETERNITY - Voices In A Dream
56. SIRENIA - The Other Side
57. DEATHSTARS - Greatest Fight On Earth
58. SAMAEL - Valkyrie’s New Ride
59. THE KOVENANT - In The Name Of The Future
60. AMORPHIS - The White Swan
61. THERION - Der Mitternachtslöwe
62. CREMATORY - Revolution
63. FARMER BOYS - For The World To Sing
64. PYOGENESIS - Addiction Pole
65. LIQUIDO - Ordinary Life
66. CHROME DIVISION - Serial Killer
67. DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER - Riders On The Storm
68. SUBWAY TO SALLY - Meine Seele Brennt
69. KNORKATOR - Wir werden alle sterben
70. SUCH A SURGE - Mission Erfüllt

After almost a year of delays, Florida-based metal band WYKKED WYTCH will release its fourth album, "Memories of a Dying Whore", through the group's own label Perish Music. The CD will be available for online purchase the first week of December and will expand to retail outlets worldwide in January.

According to a press release, "Memories of a Dying Whore" has been remixed by Eric Rachel (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ATREYU, GOD FORBID) at Trax East Studios and is currently being mastered by Alan Douches (UNEARTH, MASTODON, SHADOWS FALL) at West West Side Music in NY. "We originally finished mixing and mastering back in January, but were never satisified with the final mix," says the band. "The new mix is very essential to this album."

Finally available on DVD for the first time, New Door Records/UMe are proud to announce the eagerly awaited release of the double disc DVD of "Live After Death", the legendary recording of IRON MAIDEN's four night stand at Long Beach Arena, California, in 1984.

In the stores February 5, 2008, the release will coincide with the start of the band's Somewhere Back In Time World Tour on which they will recreate many of the aspects of this original and spectacular show.

Disc one contains the recording of this full 90 minute concert. Originally filmed on 35mm, the footage comes alive on DVD resulting in a visually stunning film that far outstrips the usual live video of the '80s. The disc carries two sound options — the original concert audio specially mixed into 5.1 Surround Sound by Kevin Shirley, MAIDEN's producer since 1999, plus the original stereo sound track by Martin Birch, the band's producer from 1981 to 1993. Originally released on video in 1985, this has been largely unavailable for the past 20 years

Disc two has Part 2 of the "History Of Iron Maiden", continuing on the MAIDEN story from "The Early Days" DVD, along with rare and unseen bonus footage in the form of "Behind The Iron Curtain", "Rock In Rio '85", and "'Ello Texas", all in all giving a total running time of well over three hours. Plus of course the photo galleries, relevant promo videos, artwork galleries, tour dates, tour program and other features which all combine to make MAIDEN DVDs a very special and utterly comprehensive treat for their fans.

Manager Rod Smallwood explained: "The original video of 'Live After Death' has not been readily available for a long time so its good that we finally got around to this. lt was one of the first full concerts to be filmed after the advent of video and of course the live album, recorded on a different night to the video, has long been considered to be one of the seminal metal live albums and has sold millions since. Fans have been begging us to do this DVD for some time now but we wanted to wait until we were able to recreate that whole tour to go with it and also to make it part of a series of DVDs that we are putting together around the band's history. And of course we are making sure that now we have got to it we will be giving the fans everything we can find from that period!!”

Full list of contents:

Disc 1 — Live After Death

"Live After Death" concert with Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio (90 minutes)

Setlist:

01. Churchill Speech/Aces High
02. 2 Minutes to Midnight
03. The Trooper
04. Revelations
05. Flight of Icarus
06. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
07. Powerslave
08. Number of the Beast
09. Hallowed Be Thy Name
10. Iron Maiden
11. Run to The Hills
12. Running Free
13. Sanctuary

Disc 2 - Documentary / Bonus Concert Footage

1. The History of Iron Maiden — Part 2 (60 mins) — Documentary.
Band members, crew, friends and associates talk about the period in the band's career which saw the writing, recording and release of the "Powerslave" album, and later "Live After Death", and the subsequent massive touring. And not just the serious side!!

2. Behind the Iron Curtain (57 mins approx) Documentary and Live — shot during MAIDEN's historic tour of Poland and other parts to the Eastern Bloc in 1984 featuring interviews, live and offstage footage capturing the atmosphere of this remarkable journey behind the Wall at the height of the Cold War.

3. Live Footage - Rock in Rio '85 (50 mins approx)
The full MAIDEN set supporting Queen on the first day of the first Rock in Rio in front of 300,000 manic metal fans. A bloody and stirring performance!! Songs performed include "Aces High", "2 Minutes to Midnight", "The Trooper", "Revelations", "Powerslave", "Iron Maiden", "Run To The Hills", "Running Free"

4. Ello Texas — 15 minutes — Interview and live. Caught by a film crew in 1983 at the Alamo and sound checking their show in San Antonio.

5. Artwork Gallery, Tour Programme, Tour dates and photo gallery

6. Promotional clips for Aces High and 2 Minutes to Midnight

Subtitles for all documentary footage:

PAL version — English HOH / Dutch / French / German / Italian / Swedish / Portuguese / Spanish
NTSC Version — English HOH / Brazilian Portguese / Latin Spanish

Polish death metallers VADER have issued the following statement regarding the passing of DECAPITATED drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka, who died at the age of 23 in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a recent road collision:

"Known from such bands as DECAPITATED, DIES IRAE, PANZER X... 23-year old, extremely talented drummer, our brother in metal and dear friend passed away... This is another huge loss for the metal scene and the saddest news we have heard this year... we are all in shock...

"VADER members would like to express their deepest condolences to his family and frends. Vitek — R.I.P."

DECAPITATED singer Covan (real name: Adrian Kowanek) was also hurt in the accident, which involved the band's tour bus and a truck carrying wood in Gomel, on the Russia/Belarus border. The frontman reportedly also sustained a head injury in the collision, which is believed to have been the fault of the band's driver (although this has not yet been officially confirmed). Covan has since been moved to a hospital in Kraków, Poland. Doctors describe his condition as stable and he is showing signs of improvement every day.

CIVILIZATION ONE, which features vocalist Chitral "Chity" Somapala (highly regarded for his work with AVALON, FIREWIND, FARO, MOONLIGHT AGONY and RED CIRCUIT) and guitarist Aldo Lanobile (whose band, SECRET SPHERE, released two albums on Nuclear Blast Records), has issued the following update:

"We are looking for a serious/dependable drummer for CIVILIZATION ONE with lightning hands and feet within the European Union. All candidates will be given a chance for an audition with click tracks and if you feel you are the right guy, please email us at info@civilization-one.com."

CIVILIZATION ONE has placed three new songs from its recently released debut album, "Revolution Rising", on its MySpace page. The tracks are "Life of Agony", "The Lost Souls" and "Welcome to Paradise".

CIVILIZATION ONE is an international musical entity comprised of musicians from Sri Lanka, Italy, France, and Brazil. "Revolution Rising" was produced by the band themselves and recorded at studios in France, Italy, and Germany, with mixing and mastering by Markus Teske (VANDEN PLAS, DOMINICI, SYMPHONY X) at Bazement Studios in Germany. "Revolution Rising" features 10 songs, including "Legends of the Past (Carry On)" and "Time Will Tell".

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Rob Cavestany has issued the following update:

"As I come out of the haze and begin to become unglazed from spawning our most recent effort in this life of music… [DEATH ANGEL's new album] 'Killing Season' is almost here!

"We finished recording last week and after a manic b'day weekend which took me to Vegas to see RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE / MUSE then back to L.A. to catch QOTSA then back to Oakland for Halloween… I was able to get my bearings and throw down an update so here it is!

"I am pleased to announce we have decided that Nick (Raskulinecz, our
producer) will mix the album. The reference 'rough' mixes we have been listening to are blowing our minds and we don't think anyone could do a better job taking the mix to the next level and beyond!

"Wait 'till you hear this disc, my friends, you will hear us like you never have before! This shit is SLAMMIN'!!!!!!!

"Mixing starts later today (it's 3am right now, children) so I better hit the sack so I can get a couple hours of shuteye and get them ears fresh to hear me some final mixes… hell yeah!"

Grammy-nominated metal band LAMB OF GOD will release the "deluxe producer edition" of its latest album, "Sacrament" (with bonus CD) on December 4, 2007.

LAMB OF GOD is breaking down the smoke and mirrors and allowing fans and professionals alike the revolutionary opportunity to produce and/or remix the entire "Sacrament" audio CD. All of the studio audio tracks (guitar, vocals, drums and bass) from the entire "Sacrament" album have been isolated, separated and prepared for use by music fans everywhere in ANY Mac or PC, so it is very user-friendly.

Remix the album any way you want to hear it. More bass? Your call. Less drums? Your call. Dub remix? Your call. New vocals? Good luck!

Track and add your own effects, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and anything else you can imagine! Isolate tracks to help learn or to play/sing along. Create your own new unique songs or loops by cutting apart, rearranging or mixing up tracks or even entire songs. The possibilities are endless and the tools are now in your hands.

Let your inner-producer shine! Share your LAMB OF GOD creations online and check out the creative adventures of other new producers. You are the beginning of a revolution in music as we know it.

To hear samples of the release, go to www.lambofgod.tv.

AYREON, the brainchild of Dutch guitarist/composer Arjen Lucassen, has revealed the cover artwork for its new album, "01011001", due in Europe on January 28, 2008 (one day later in the U.S.). The track listing for the effort is as follows:

CD1 - Y:

01. Age Of Shadows (incl. "We Are Forever')
02. Comatose
03. Liquid Eternity
04. Connect The Dots
05. Beneath The Waves
(a) Beneath The Waves
(b) Face The Facts
(c) But A Memory...
(d) World Without Walls
(e) Reality Bleeds
06. Newborn Race
(a) The Incentive
(b) The Vision
(c) The Procedure
(d) Another Life
(e) Newborn Race
(f) The Conclusion
07. Ride The Comet
08. Web Of Lies

Disc 2 - Earth:

01. The Fifth Extinction
(a) Glimmer of Hope
(b) World of Tomorrow Dreams
(c) Collision Course
(d) From the Ashes
(e) Glimmer of Hope (reprise)
02. Waking Dreams
03. The Truth Is In Here
04. Unnatural Selection
05. River of Time
06. E=MC2
07. The Sixth Extinction
(a) Echoes On The Wind
(b) Radioactive Grave
(c) 2085
(d) To The Planet Of Red
(e) Spirit On The Wind
(f) Complete The Circle

The complete list of musicians who appear on the album is as follows:

Vocalists:

Daniel Gildenlöw (PAIN OF SALVATION)
Tom Englund (EVERGREY)
Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN)
Anneke van Giersbergen (AGUA DE ANNIQUE, THE GATHERING)
Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA)
Bob Catley (MAGNUM)
Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN)
Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER)
Steve Lee (GOTTHARD)
Magali Luyten (VIRUS IV)
Ty Tabor (KING'S X)
Simone Simons (EPICA)
Liselotte Hegt (DIAL)
Phideaux
Marjan Welman
Wudstik
Arjen Lucassen

Instrumentalists:

Arjen Lucassen: Guitar, Keyboards, Synths, Bass Guitar, Programming
Tomas Bodin (THE FLOWER KINGS): Keyboards
Derek Sherinian (PLANET X): Keyboards
Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER, STAR ONE): Keyboards
Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X): Guitar
Lori Linstruth (ex-STREAM OF PASSION): Guitar
Ed Warby (GOREFEST): Drums
Jeroen Goossens (FLAIRCK): Flute
Ben Mathot (DIS): Violin
David Faber: Cello

More information, including soundclips, is available at this location.

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers EXODUS have made a new DVD available via their official webstore, The Exodus Store. Entitled "Double Live Dynamo!", the disc contains the following track listing:

October 27, 1985 - Dynamo Club, Eindhoven, Holland:

01. Exodus
02. Bonded by Blood
03. And Then There Were None
04. Hell's Breath
05. Deliver Us from Evil
06. Deathrow
07. Pleasures of the Flesh
08. Lesson in Violence
09. No Love
10. Piranha
11. Strike of the Beast
12. Metal Command
13. Impaler

May 17, 1997 - Dynamo Open Air, Eindhoven, Holland:

01. Bonded by Blood
02. Exodus
03. Pleasures of the Flesh
04. And Then There Were None
05. Piranha
06. Deliver Us from Evil
07. No Love
08. Lesson in Violence
09. Strike of the Beast

The video for the song "Lost in Space" from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project can be viewed here. Also available is an eight-minute EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for the forthcoming six-track albums from AVANTASIA — "Lost in Space Part 1" and "Lost in Space Part 2". Apart from the identical title track, both releases (which are due on November 16) will feature completely different, exclusive songs plus videos, a poster, studio reports, a "making-of," a slideshow, and loads of enhanced bonus material, each for the price of a CD single.

The track listing for the two EPs is as follows:

"Lost in Space Part 1":

01. Lost In Space (mp3 clip)
02. Lay All Your Love On Me
03. Another Angel Down (feat. Jorn Lande)
04. The Story Ain't Over (feat. Bob Catley & Amanda Somerville)
05. Return To Avantasia
06. Ride The Sky (feat. Eric Singer on vocals)
07. Lost In Space (video clip)
08. Lost In Space (making of the video clip)
09. Photo Gallery + Poster

"Lost in Space Part 2":

01. Lost In Space
02. Promised Land (feat. Jorn Lande and Michael Kiske) (mp3 clip)
03. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
04. Scary Eyes
05. In My Defense
06. Lost In Space (alive at Gate studio, feat. Amanda Somerville)
07. The Road To Avantasia (studio report with interview)
08. Slideshow

According to Tobias, the material on the two EPs is top notch and could have easily made it to the album as well. But because there is so much material they have decided to put out those two releases instead of a regular single or EP.

AVANTASIA's full-story album, "The Scarecrow", will be released at end of January next year via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is expected to feature guest appearances by the following artists:

Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (MAGNUM; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN; vocals)
Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (KAMELOT; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS; guitar)

"The Scarecrow" track listing:

01. Twisted Mind
02. The Scarecrow
03. Shelter From The Rain
04. Carry Me Over
05. What Kind Of Love
06. Another Angel Down
07. The Toy Master
08. Devil In The Belfry
09. Cry Just A Little
10. I Don't Believe In Your Love
11. Lost In Space

AVANTASIA will perform at next year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are IRON MAIDEN (headliners), CHILDREN OF BODOM and KREATOR.

In a recent interview, Sammet described the music on the new AVANTASIA CD as "diversified, pomp metal with some classic rock elements, Classic orchestrated moments and Celtic stuff, a big timeless production and so on and so forth. It's going to consist of many different elements. Bombastic kick-ass music with a lot of heart and depth."

Check out photos from the recording sessions at this location.

The new AVANTASIA album will be a concept album featuring different singers singing different characters in a story. But the concept itself won't be a sequel to the first two AVANTASIA albums.

AVANTASIA's last release was the two-part epic called "The Metal Opera" (issued in 2001 and 2002), which featured an impressive array of guest vocalists playing the various characters of the opera, including Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY), André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN), Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Rob Rock (WARRIOR), and others.

Earache Records has reissued THE HAUNTED's "Made Me Do It" LP as part of the "Classic Metal" series. Bolstered by the addition of the "Caught on Tape" DVD which features two complete live gigs (from Sweden and Japan) plus a revealing behind-the-scenes documentary, the double pack boasts around three hours of prime THE HAUNTED material all for the price of onw CD! The package comes housed in a double-CD jewel case and offers an essential slice of metal history in one affordable and complete audiovisual set. The track listing is as follows:

Disc 1

01. Dark Intentions
02. Bury Your Dead
03. Trespass
04. Leech
05. Hollow Ground
06. Revelation
07. The World Burns
08. Human Debris
09. Silencer
10. Under the Surface
11. Victim Iced

Disc 2

Live At Akasaka Blitz Club, Tokyo, Japan – November 16, 2000:

01. Dark Intentions
02. Bury Your Dead
03. Chasm
04. Trespass
05. Shattered
06. Hollow Ground
07. Chokehold
08. Leech
09. In Vein
10. Revelation
11. Bullethole
12. Silencer
13. Three Times
14. Undead
15. Blinded by Fear
16. Hate Song

Live At KB, Malmo, Sweden - April 13, 2001:

17. Dark Intentions
18. Bury Your Dead
19. Chasm
20. Trespass
21. Undead
22. Hollow Ground
23. Chokehold
24. Leech
25. Revelation
26. Bullethole
27. Three Times
28. In Vein
29. Silencer
30. Hate Song
31. Blinded by Fear
32. Shattered

Bonus features:

* Exclusive audio-only track "Shithead"
* 25-minute documentary "The Making Of One Kill Wonder"
+ Bonus audio tracks from "One Kill Wonder":
* "Shithead"
* "Everlasting"

UK gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST filmed the newest promotional video for the "In Requiem" album, for the song "Unreachable", on Tuesday, November 6 at Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Glendale and Malibu, California. The clip was directed by Diran Noubar of Karmantra/Kayane Productions, who directed the soon-to-be-released "Over the Madness" documentary about PARADISE LOST, as well as the video for the song "Baby" for Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN).

PARADISE LOST recently released the video for the song "Praise Lamented Shade", taken from the band's latest CD, "In Requiem", which was issued via Century Media Records in May 2007. The clip was filmed during PARADISE LOST's April 2007 show at Koko in London (a concert which was filemd for an upcoming DVD) and was directed by Dash Productions (who worked with people such as STEVEN SEAGAL, GARY NUMAN, LEVEL 42, PAUL RODGERS, RICK ASTLEY, HEAVEN 17, THE DAMNED, MARC ALMOND, DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS and many more).

SCORPIONS' concert at Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany on August 3, 2006 will be released on DVD in Europe on December 7 via Sony BMG Music Entertainment GmbH. A North American release date has not yet been announced. Entitled "Live At Wacken Open Air 2006: A Night To Remember - A Journey Through Time", the disc will include the German hard rock band's historic performance at the festival during which they were joined by former bandmates Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker and Herman Rarebell.

"Live At Wacken Open Air 2006: A Night To Remember - A Journey Through Time" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. Coming Home
02. Bad Boys Running Wild
03. The Zoo
04. Loving You Sunday Morning
05. Make It Real
06. Pictured Life (with Uli John Roth)
07. Speedy's Coming (with Uli John Roth)
08. We'll Burn The Sky (with Uli John Roth)
09. Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em
10. Don't Believe Her
11. Tease Me Please Me
12. Coast To Coast (with Michael Schenker)
13. Holiday (with Michael Schenker)
14. Lovedrive (with Michael Schenker)
15. Another Piece Of Meat (with Michael Schenker)
16. Kottak Attack (James Kottak drum solo)
17. Blackout (with Herman Rarebell)
18. No One Like You (with Herman Rarebell)
19. Six String Sting
20. Big City Nights
21. Can't Get Enough
22. Still Loving You
23. In Trance (with Uli John Roth, Michael Schenker)
24. Bolero
25. Ready To Sting (Appearance of the Scorpion)
26. Rock You Like A Hurricane

The Pulse of Radio reports: NINE INCH NAILS founder and frontman Trent Reznor has spoken to CNet about the future of his own work and the way that music will be distributed to consumers in the future. Reznor recently parted with Interscope Records after fulfilling his contract and is also issuing a new album by friend Saul Williams through his own imprint as a digital release. Reznor discussed his rationale behind all this, explaining, "Personally, I would like people to support artists. After all, we as artists dedicate our lives to producing the best music we can...should I be angry at the audience that wants to hear music so much, an audience that is so passionate about hearing it they go online to get it two weeks before the music debuts? No, I want them to be that way."

Reznor acknowledges basing the release of Williams' record, "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust", on RADIOHEAD's recent online debut of its new effort, "In Rainbows". Reznor told CNet that he thought RADIOHEAD's idea was an "exciting way to sell a record," adding, "I think there were some serious flaws with how they executed but it was a good idea."

Reznor admitted that he can't predict the future of music distribution, saying, "I don't know what model is going to work. I do know relationships between music labels and artists like myself aren't going well...Their treatment of artists has less sympathy and it's more like 'What can we get out of you?' My only concern has always been that my audience is treated fairly."

"The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust" became available for download on Thursday (November 1) NiggyTardust.com.

Reznor is also working on a follow-up to the latest NINE INCH NAILS album, "Year Zero".

Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker (ex-UFO, SCORPIONS) has issued the following update:

"We are currently working on a new web site due to improvement and it will be up and running very soon. Sorry for the inconvenience. Also, we are preparing for a new MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) studio album. It will be an album with great, well-known musicians (the choices are fantastic), followed up by a world tour. More about it later. In between, I may be doing some live shows with MICHAEL SCHENKER & FRIENDS.

"As you probably have already heard, I am giving guitar lessons. These lessons can ONLY be booked through:

Goott Records
e-mail: msguitarlessons@earthlink.net
phone: 00447504150200
Location: North London
£200 (approx. $410) (1 hour)

"Keep in mind that the line is only open from 10 am till 7 pm (UK time). This is a booking line only.

"Goott Records is also opening a new management office for Michael Schenker businesses only, such as:

* Concert Bookings
* Various Projects
* Recording Sessions
* Fan Club
* Guitar Lessons
* Distribution
* Merchandise and more.

"'Thank You 5' will be released soon... This time it may involve a rhythm section. Other events and projects are movie soundtracks and some concerts with Siggi Schwarz."