Norwegian industrial metallers VULTURE INDUSTRIES have completed work on their new album, "The Dysotpia Journals", with producer Bjornar Nilsen, who is also the band's vocalist and keyboards/programmer.

Originally formed in 1998, VULTURE INDUSTRIES underwent a down period, until eventually recruiting Nilsen, whose distinctive vocals, together with the addition of programming and the use of old-fashioned synths, gave the band a new, more complex, edge. Aside from Nilsen, the band comprises Øyvind Madsen (SULPHUR) on guitar, Tor Helge Gjengedal (MALICE IN WONDERLAND) on drums, Kyrre Teigen on bass, Eivind Huse (SULPHUR) on guitar.

Bergen-based Nilsen, owner of the Conclave Media Studios (together with Herbrand Larsen and Arve Isdal of ENSLAVED), has had a particularly busy year to date. He has just finished producing the latest albums from SWORN and BOURBON FLAME, a band that includes members of ENSLAVED, HADES ALMIGHTY, SULPHUR and ex-AETERNUS; as well as producing a demo for FUNERAPOLIS, and some mixing work for ICON EIGHT. He is due to enter the studios shortly to commence production on the new album from DEAD TO THIS WORLD, the band formed and fronted by former IMMORTAL bass player Iscariah, as well as working on a new album for his own black metal band BLACK HOLE GENERATOR.

A track from VULTURE INDUSTRIES' "The Dysotpia Journals" album, as well as tracks from the group's previous releases, can be heard on the band's official MySpace Page

A new audio sample from NEVERLAND, the collaboration between Turkey's progressive power metal band DREAMTONE and Greek artist Iris Mavraki, has been posted on the NEVERLAND MySpace Page. The song "To Lose the Sun", features Hansi Kürsch of BLIND GUARDIAN on lead vocals. This clip, along with two more brand new samples "Mankind Is a Lie" and "Mountain of Joy", can also be found on DREAMTONE's official web site. All three songs come off the NEVERLAND's debut CD, "Reversing Time", due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label. The bulk of the album's basic tracks (except for the guest appearances) were recorded at ATM Studios in Istanbul, with Erim Arkman and Alp Turac (who won the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2003 with singer Sertab Erener for the song "Every Way That I Can"). The mixing process took place at Division One Studios (EVERGREY, HAMMERFALL, IN FLAMES etc) in Gothenburg, Sweden. The mastering of "Reversing Time" will be handled by senior mastering engineer Leon Zervos (AVRIL LAVIGNE, SANTANA, INXS, SKID ROW, DURAN DURAN, AEROSMITH) at Sterling Sound in New York.

In addition to Kürsch, Iris Mavraki, and DREAMTONE, "Reversing Time" features the Philarmonia Istanbul Orchestra and such renowned musicians as Tom Englund (EVERGREY), Mike Baker (SHADOW GALLERY) and Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY).

The Philarmonia Istanbul Orchestra recorded at MIAM Studios in Istanbul with conductor Hakan Sensoy. Ethnical instruments and sax parts were recorded at Mars Studios in Ankara. Songtitles set to appear on "Reversing Time" include "To Lose The Sun" (performed by Hansi Kürsch), "World Beyond These Walls" (performed by Tom Englund), "Reversing Time" (performed by Mike Baker), "Mountain of Judgment", "Mountain of Joy", "Black Water", "Mankind Is A Lie" and "Who Asked You To Fight?" The music was written by DREAMTONE and Iris Mavraki. All lyrics were written by Oganalp Canatan (DREAMTONE) and Orpheus Spiliotopoulos.

The project is currently in talks with several record labels about a possible deal.

METALLICA members James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo joined SPINAL TAP on stage for the latter band's rendition of "Big Bottom" at the Live Earth concert in London earlier tonight (Saturday, July 7). SPINAL TAP greeted the crowd with a cheery "Hello Wimbledon!" and also recreated its classic Stonehenge routine with a mini-model of the English landmark. Watch video footage at YouTube.

As previously reported, professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA's three-song set as part of the Live Earth concert has been posted at YouTube:

"Sad But True"
"Nothing Else Matters"
"Enter Sandman"

The band played three songs instead of the scheduled four; "For Whom The Bell Tolls" was dropped, possibly due to time restrictions.

Swedish gothic doom metal band DRACONIAN has issued the following update:

"The DRACONIAN quest continues. The band has booked the prominent Fascination Street Studio (KATATONIA, OPETH) in Örebro, Sweden to record their fourth release in September this year. Currently the band is in the last stage of songwriting and pre-production recordings in order to finalize this new saga. The album will generally deal with a more diverse and intense sound than previous releases, which should attract both old and new fans as well. The title of the album is yet uncertain, but a few new songtitles are 'Seasons Apart', 'The Failure Epiphany' and 'Morphine Cloud'."

DRACONIAN released its special "bonus" album, titled "The Burning Halo", last September through Napalm Records (October in the U.S.). The CD features three new songs, new versions of several demo songs and three covers.

EMI has just re-released BLIND GUARDIAN's early albums in remastered form. The remasters include bonus tracks, new booklets, liner notes, rare band photos and videos. In addition, the first two LPs, "Battalions of Fear" (1988) and "Follow the Blind" (1989), have been remixed.

Commented BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch: "As you all most probably recognized we have kept silent for quite a while, again. The reason is fairly simple: we have been on the road for most of the time to accomplish an enourmous amount of sightseeing in between the playing. We will give you some longer statement about what has been / is going on the next days. This basically is more to inform you about our 20 years BLIND GUARDIAN anniversary and the related release of the remasters series on Friday, June 15.

"This remasters series include all our albums up to 'Nightfall in Middle-Earth'. Due to better sounding this is a very valuable option for those who do not have all albums already or those who do no have any, since this series contain additional material and better booklet designs (including liner notes and some more photos — if it were spacewise possible) than the original ones. Audio-/video-wise we also have added a good amount of material, such as demos, most of the band's clips and b-tracks from single releases, etc.. We have also taken the opportunity to remix the first two albums, so that 'Battalions of Fear' and 'Follow the Blind' appear in a more modern shape. Do not worry, the original intention has not been damaged by that. We would have prefered remixing 'Tales from the Twilight World' as well, but unfortunately this whole project has been done on very tight time schedule, which made it impossible for us to do so. We nevertheless have really enjoyed doing that time travel for quite a few months and it has brought back great memories. The release date is scheduled for all Europe. The rest of the world is going to follow within the next weeks."

Seattle's HIMSA have set "Summon In Thunder" as the title of its new album, due on September 17 via Century Media Records.

Steve Carter (who produced the band's second album, "Courting Tragedy And Disaster") produced the music while Devin Townsend (LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR) produced vocals and the renowned Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED) brought it all together, nailing the mixing and mastering duties.

Derek Harn (bass) states: "'Summon In Thunder' was paid for in blood, sweat and fury. Over 5 weeks straight of 20-hour days, and metal masters from three countries worked tirelessly under tight deadlines to create this monster. It was pure - but ultimately rewarding - anguish. In the end, it all paid off, and the intensity of the recording process carries through the album like a horde of stampeding wildebeests."

Derek continues: "During our endless hours in the studio, we had a great idea for a video that we couldn't pass up and decided to make this our first enhanced CD. The video is for our shortest, thrashiest song, 'Unleash Carnage', and is truly one of the grossest, most ridiculous displays in all of metaldom. Also on the CD, we included video footage on the making of the album, sort of a diary of how the process was working out at the time. To top it off, we put lots of pretty pictures of us in a photo gallery, so all the girls can make posters of us and hang them on their bedroom walls.

Speaking of pretty pictures, the ever-masterful Paul Romano (MASTODON, THE RED CHORD) created all the art and design for this album's packaging. He researched what ancient cultures believed created thunder in the heavens and worked closely with Pettibone's lyrics to create the imagery of mythological creatures and the power of nature's dark wrath. It's amazing art. We are incredibly proud of this album and feel it's a pure representation of who we are as individuals and as a band. We are anxious to get back out on the road and see all our friends across the globe."

With original guitarist Sammi Curr returning to the fold and collaborating with Kirby Johnson (guitars) this new effort (and debut Century Media offering) promises a shredding onslaught of massive riffs, devastating dynamics and refreshing savageness.

With a European tour already planned for autumn 2007 and the stunning "Summon In Thunder" under their belt, there is nothing that can prevent HIMSA from taking the world by storm.

A clip from "Live to Dream!" — which is described as an insider's glimpse into the creative process of Paul Stanley and his new concert film/DVD, titled "Live to Win Live" — is available for viewing at here.

Director D.P Carlson describes Live to Dream!' as, "an insider's glimpse' into Paul Stanley's creativity, and personal journey from his first solo album in 1978, to his latest 'Live To Win' release and tour. The film also captures the emotional and creative process of how producer/director Louis Antonelli's concert film, 'Paul Stanley – Live to Win Live!' came to be."

"Paul Stanley - Live to Dream!" features interviews with Paul Stanley, Louis Antonelli, manager Doc McGhee, band members Jimmy McGorman, Rafael Moreira, and Nate Morton, as well as personal insights from fans attending the Chicago concert and filming.

D.P. Carlson told PaulStanley.com, "What attracted me to this film was not just the opportunity to work with one of my rock heroes from KISS, but to explore the unique relationship between filmmaker Louis Antonelli and Paul Stanley — who is one of Louis' childhood idols."

likes to extend his (slightly odd) views on Faith, Love, Hope;
on dreams and his grand future.

What he does not like is talking about his puzzling past, which has never been discussed in the open public before.
This is the once in a lifetime chance to creep a little look into the secrets of this living phenomena.
BIG BOY was probably born around the year 1977 in Sweden but due to some unexplainable events in this twisted world he spent most of his childhood in Germany. Since BIG BOY matured fast, it didnt take him long to get into some serious trouble.
As a result from breaking up with yet another She-Devil and the following evening piss up, he somewhat thought that a bit of discipline couldnt harm him.
Consequently he found himself joining the French Foreign Legion where he served this Grand Nation for almost two long years (should have checked the contract!).
They really did NOT show much appreciation of BIG BOYs special skills,
like being the camouflage make up artist on the battlefield.
He was soon dishonorably discharged on accusations of being a bit camp in camp.

After these traumatic two years in the mud BIG BOY began a new journey in the search for comradeship and his meaning in life
This was certainly made clear to him after a short vacancy at a mental
institution (just to "visit a friend") where, believe it or not, Freddie Mercury appeared to him in one of his lively dreams.
He told him to start the most kick ass, twisted Rock N Roll Band the world has ever seen.
BIG BOY, not really knowing whether that prophecy was for real or just a fragment of his imagination, decided to trust Freddie.

Still thinking tactically BIG BOY took on this challenge and started to get to know his sworn enemy, the Music Business and its Majors.
Some would say that he took investigating a bit too far when he started signing boy-groups for a major record label. But I can assure you that he still feels deeply sorry for releasing such tasteless junk onto the defenseless public.
BIG BOY knew now that his time had come to pop the cherry with colleagues, artists, and anybody else fitting for him
In order to gain a wider selection he had to get back on track to become a full blown Rock Superstar.
BIG BOY had finally found his destiny and now tried to inspire everyone in or around him to join his path. On his following pilgrimage along the Santiago Road he met three sense seeking, Absolut Vodka drinking, lip gloss eating musicians, who were also looking for that extasy called Rock`N Roll and shared his affinity for Swedish ass along the way. Nice!
This was everything BIG BOY had ever dreamed off

Being the biggest German speaking entertainer since Marlene Dietrich and the greatest fake since Milli Vanilli is a bit overwhelming at times.
I just want to be loved!
BIG BOY

And loved he will be- or hated. Youll never know what B.B. leaves behind- broken hearts or broken noses

HAIL THE BIG BOY !!!

A brand new DARKTHRONE song, entitled "Canadian Metal", is available for streaming at this location. The track comes off the Norwegian black metallers' new EP, "NWOBHM" (New Wave Of Black Heavy Metal), due on July 23 via Peaceville Records. The EP contains four songs on CD version and two songs on the 7" vinyl version. The CD edition of "NWOBHM" includes the track "Hedninger Fra Helvete" ("Heathens From Hell") which will not appear on the band's upcoming album, "F.O.A.D.", plus an alternate recording of new track "Wisdom of the Dead" plus an alternate mix with different vocals of "Canadian Metal" (both tracks are set to appear as different versions on the forthcoming "F.O.A.D." album). The EP concludes with a cover of the TESTORS track "Bad Attitude". The limited-edition 7" vinyl version features the tracks "Hedninger Fra Helvete" and "Canadian Metal".

"NWOBHM" CD EP tracklisting

01. Wisdom of the Dead
02. Canadian Metal
03. Hedninger Fra Helvete
04. Bad Attitude

"NWOBHM" 7" vinyl track listing

Side A: Hedninger Fra Helvete
Side B: Canadian Metal

Due on September 24 via Peaceville, "F.O.A.D." will feature the following track listing:

01. These Shores Are Damned
02. Canadian Metal
03. The Church Of Real Metal
04. The Banners Of Old
05. Fuck Off And Die
06. Splitkein Fever
07. Raised On Rock
08. Pervertor Of The 7 Gates
09. Wisdom Of The Dead

Massachusetts' ALL THAT REMAINS will film its July 12 concert at The Recher Theater in Towson, MD for an upcoming DVD. Tentatively due this fall through Prosthetic Records, the disc will contain footage that the band has been compiling since release of its 2004 album "This Darkened Heart", including material shot at a Philadelphia performance earlier this year.

Commented frontman Phil Labonte: "As everyone knows, we shot footage for a DVD. Unfortunately, some of the audio files were corrupted so we have to shoot again. I know, this is getting stupid, but we don't want to put out some subpar, crappy DVD. Most of you guys 'n gals have been with us for a long time and waiting almost as long for the DVD. We are working hard to make sure if you plunk down 20 bucks, you get what you pay for: A full live show and enough extras to give you a sense of who we are. With that being said I'm gonna announce there is going to be another ALL THAT REMAINS DVD shoot Thursday, July 12th at The Recher Theater in Towson, MD; other acts [to be announced]. This also will also stand as a makeup show for the Baltimore date we missed on the BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE tour. So come on out, again. Get into it!"

Currently supporting its latest album, "The Fall of Ideals", ALL THAT REMAINS has already toured Europe twice for the record and just recently completed headlining shows, support dates for BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and a brief Canadian run with PROTEST THE HERO. Additionally, the band appeared on Ozzfest 2006 and toured Stateside with DRAGONFORCE and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, among others. Now, the band will appear on the July 14 Sounds of the Underground date before heading to Mexico for the first time before departing again for Europe.

VICIOUS ART, the Swedish death/thrash metal band featuring former DARK FUNERAL members Matias Mäkelä and Robert Lundin, along with Jörgen Sandström (THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE) on bass, has issued the following update:

"We are really close to finishing the second full-length album. We have been recording and mixing it the last couple of weeks in the Offbeat studio [in Jakobsberg, Sweden]. It will be mastered in Denmark by Jacob Hansen. We are more than satisfied with the result, it is by far the best stuff we have written and recorded... so far! Some of the titles are: 'Tombstone Grind', 'The Paulina Paintings - The Paw', 'Family Flesh', 'Murder', 'We're Both Into Killing Me', 'Chain Hooks Falling'... just to name a few. We have recorded 12 songs in total, and 11 of them will be on the album, which is still missing a title, by the way, and will be released through Mighty Music Records in October/November 2007!! The album artwork is being made as well. We have hired Kristian Karlberg once again to do it. He showed up in the studio last Tuesday with some killer ideas and to have a listen to the album. We hope to reveal some of the artwork and some music to you soon!! We are also in progress of booking shows around the album release. If you have any contacts or interest in booking the band, contact us!!"

Check out pictures from the recording studio at this location

Finnish death 'n' roll band PROFANE OMEN has posted its promotional video for the song "Rewind" on its web site. You can watch the clip along with concert footage from several 2007 gigs in the "Media" section at www.here.

PROFANE OMEN recently finished recording a new EP, entitled "Disconnected", at Villvox Studio under the watchful eyes of engineer Aleksanteri Kuosa and producer Ville Sorvali. The EP will be released in the fall.

"Disconnected" EP track listing:

01. Disconnected
02. In Fear
03. Breed Suffocation, Breed Extinction
04. Learning to Die

"B-sides"

5. Slave to the Grind (SKID ROW cover)
6. Wild Child (W.A.S.P. cover)

PROFANE OMEN is from Lahti, Finland and was founded in 1999.

ALL TIME HIGHS, the new San Francisco Bay Area-based band featuring DEATH ANGEL frontman Mark Osegueda alongside members of LICA-STO, TRES PISTOLAS, THE SICK and OOZIES, has issued the following update:

"During a recording session [Sunday] afternoon [June 24] at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley CA, Mark Osegueda was rushed to the emergency room after passing out in a vocal booth. While screaming Mark fell forward into a microphone stand that had neither a mic or mic clip on it. The pole went into his eye. He was rushed to the hospital shortly after. The doctors did tests and the beautiful eye is going to make it. No serious injuries occured. Just a torn eyeball. OUCH!!!! ALL TIME HIGHS had to cancel their appearance [Sunday night] in Oakland. Mark will be recovering in the mountains of Idaho and will be back very soon. Everyone pray for our beloved singer and metal icon. And please don't forget to pray for his lovely eyeball as well. See you all on July 6th at Annies in SF."

Front Line Assembly have been one of the most successful and influential bands working in the electro-industrial field over the past two decades. The band was formed in 1986 by Viennese émigré Bill Leeb (vocals, synthesizers) along with Rhys Fulber (synthesizers and samplers) and Michael Balch (synthesizers). Leaders in the modern industrial boom, Front Line Assembly have always been ahead of their time. The band's innovative mixture of industrial rhythms, electronics and guitars, together with stunningly hi-tech and futuristic videos, forged a sound that many bands in the electronic world were only just starting to pick up on.

And today Metal Mind Productions presents re-issues of three albums by Front Line Assembly:

• "Monument" - a collection of unreleased tracks, exclusive remixes, B-sides and the infamous "Monument (Lost Classic Mix)"
  
• 
  "Millennium" - the most successful so far and the heaviest Front Line Assembly album from 1994 - new release includes additional CD with 8 bonus tracks taken from the "Surface Patterns" EP & "Millennium" single
  
• "Reclamation" - a compilation of material from 1989-1994 that proofs the true genius of Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber.
  

Classic material taken from Roadrunner Records' archives in a new digipack edition on golden discs, limited to numerated 2000 copies, digitally remastered using 24-Bit process. All three titles will be released on 6th August 2007.

Front Line Assembly "Monument"
Format: CD Digipack (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Release date: 06.08.2007 Europe

Tracklist:

1. Big Money (Remix)
2. Vexation (Provo Mix)
3. Mental Distortion
4. Overkill (Surge Mix)
5. Virus (Cauterized Mix)
6. Resist (Dislocated Mix)
7. Mutilate
8. Transtime
9. Re-Animate
10. Laughing Pain
11. The Blade (Worldwide Mix)
12. Monument featuring Intermix (Lost Classic Mix)

Front Line Assembly "Millennium". Format: 2 CD Digipack (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Release date: 06.08.2007 Europe

Tracklists:

CD 1:
1. Vigilante
2. Millennium
3. Liquid Separation
4. Search & Destroy
5. Surface Patterns
6. Victim Of A Criminal
7. Division Of Mind
8. This Faith
9. Plasma Springs
10. Sex Offender

CD 2:
1. Surface Patterns (Surveillance Remix)
2. Surface Patterns (Chemical Cauldron Remix)
3. Internal Combustion
4. Surface Patterns (Scarification Remix)
5. Millennium (1000 Years Of Decay Remix)
6. Millennium (Left In Ruins Remix)
7. Transtime
8. Millennium (Until Death Remix)

Front Line Assembly "Reclamation"
Format: CD Digipack (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Release date: 06.08.2007 Europe

Tracklist:

1. Digital Tension Dementia (Contagion Mix)
2. No Limit (Disintegration Mix)
3. Virus (Hybrid Mix)
4. Iceolate
5. Provision
6. The Blade (Pro-Gress Mix)
7. Heatwave
8. Target
9. Toxic
10. Mindphaser
11. Millennium (Ashes To Ashes Mix)
12. Surface Patterns (Mission Control Mix)

NIGHTRAGE members Jimmie Strimell (vocals), Henric Carlsson (bass) and Alex Sveningsson (drums) have launched a "pop/metal" band called DEAD BY APRIL.

According to the group's official bio, "DEAD BY APRIL is a collaboration between some free-spirited, likeminded musicians. It has evolved from just being a project to a fulltime band, in a very short amount of time.

"Jimmie has for a long time been wanting to write music with longtime, good friend Pontus Hjelm, but it has never really happened. It wasn't until recently Pontus gave in and said, let's give this a try and see where it takes us."

Check out the songs "Falling Behind", "Losing You", "My Saviour" and "Unhatable" on the band's MySpace Page.

DEAD BY APRIL is:

Jimmie Strimell: Screams and clean vocals
Pontus Hjelm: Guitar/Keyboards
Alex Sveningsson: Drums
Henric Carlsson: Bass
Johan Eskilsson: Guitar

DEAD BY APRIL is currently unsigned.

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers EXODUS entered Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California on June 10 with producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY) to begin recording their new album for a late 2007 release via Nuclear Blast Records. According to guitarist Lee Altus (also of HEATHEN), "Things are going really well! And we're almost done. All that's left to do are my solos and then we're on to mixing. As far as release date, I think that the label [Nuclear Blast] is shooting for late September early October."

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt previously stated about the group's new material, "Everyone always talks about how their next record is the next this or that, all I'm going to say is this next record is a crushing landmark in EXODUS history. I am stoked. Truly. Man, this new shit is aggressive with a capital A! Thrash metal at its hardest."

AVENGED SEVENFOLD will release its long-awaited new DVD, "All Excess", on July 17 via Warner Bros. The project is expected to feature live clips of the tracks "Walk" (PANTERA cover), "Beast and the Harlot", "Trashed and Scattered", "Seize the Day" and "Bat Country", plus videos for the latter tune, "Beast and the Harlot", "Seize the Day" and "Unholy Confessions". A documentary, three "making of the video" features and a pull-out poster round out the "All Excess" package.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows commented: "This DVD has been eight years in the making. We didn't want to cheat the fans by putting out a standard live DVD. Instead we wanted to focus on giving back to our fans by showing them what makes five best friends from Huntington Beach eat, sleep and breathe the AVENGED SEVENFOLD lifestyle. This DVD shows everything from life backstage on the bus to some of the first shows in our hometown. We didn't leave anything off that fans have been asking about for all these years. Unlike cookie-cutter concert DVDs this is a documentary you can watch again and again for years to come."

AVENGED SEVENFOLD has been keeping a low profile while working on its new album, and M. Shadows told Launch that the band is not concerned about what kind of response its next effort will get. "We have a really good, you know, recipe for success for us, and that's just to be best friends and write the music that we wanna write, and then at that point, you know, it's up to everyone else to decide how big AVENGED SEVENFOLD's gonna be," he said. "Like, we just do our thing, we tour, we love being on the road with each other, we love seeing different parts of the world and to us, it's just all about going out there and playing live music, and, you know, writing records every year. We just wanna keep doing what we do."

AVENGED SEVENFOLD is tentatively planning to release its next record this fall.

The new CD will follow up 2005's gold-selling "City of Evil".

The band has one confirmed live show coming up, at Japan's Summer Sonic Festival on August 11 and August 12.

Legendary British/American heavy metal trio RAVEN will return to the studio on July 9 to resume recording material for its new album, tentatively due late 2007/early July 2008. The band last year recorded four new tracks — "Against The Grain", "Running Around In Circles", "Breaking You Down" and "Necessary Evil" — at Assembly Line Studios with Kevin 131 (PROJECT: FAILING FLESH, DECEASED, DYSRYTHMIA, GARDEN OF SHADOWS) engineering and mixing.

When asked by a fan on the band's message board if the songs laid down during the Assembly Line session will be re-recorded for the upcoming CD, frontman John Gallagher said, "They are more than good enough to go on the album. We may tweak the mix a little but it's not really needed — they sound THAT good. Actually, I had half of 'Against the Grain' when we did the last album and finished it up a lot later. The production is clear — uncluttered and powerful. Very straightforward... kinda [like] 'Life's a Bitch' with better drum sounds maybe."

RAVEN's last studio album, "One for All", was released in 1999 via Massacre Records.

RAVEN has been confirmed for The Monsters Ball, set to take place Friday, October 12 at The Rock Room of the Sterling hotel in Allentown, Pennsylvania and Saturday, October 13 at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey. Also scheduled to appear are HALLOWS EVE, SEVENTH CALLING and fellow British metallers OVERDRIVE (performing their first U.S. shows ever). RAVEN will also perform at the Beachhead Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio on September 15.

Prosthetic Records recording artists ALL THAT REMAINS have reached a major milestone — their third album "The Fall of Ideals" has surpassed the 100,000 mark in U.S. sales.

"Just shy of a year ago we put out a record called 'The Fall of Ideals' and ever since that first week we have been amazed at the reaction people have had," ALL THAT REMAINS frontman Phil Labonte says. "This week we hit a milestone in ATR's career with 100,000 copies sold! We have been working towards this goal for a long time. I think HATEBREED was the first band that I was actually friends with that broke that number with 'Satisfaction...' I remember thinking how huge it seemed and it still seems enormous, especially in today's musical climate.

"Thank you to everyone who picked up the disc, who told their friends, who sent us love on MySpace, who posts on our message board, who started fan sites, and everyone who came out to shows to hang out and support ATR. We are gonna hit a few new places this year and lots of places we've been before. So come out, say what's up, and get into it!"

ALL THAT REMAINS will soon experience another first: the release of a live concert DVD in October. The DVD will feature live performances from the band's recent show at Theater of the Living Arts in Philadelphia, as well as from their upcoming show in Baltimore at The Recher Theatre on July 12. ATR fans will also be treated to tons of bonus goodies on the new DVD, including behind-the-scenes footage, band and fan interviews, a live photo slideshow and all of the band's videos.

In other ALL THAT REMAINS news, July will find the hard-working band filming a video for the third single from "The Fall of Ideals", "Not Alone", in between tour dates. Director Soren will handle the shoot, having already produced videos for UNEARTH and LIGHT THIS CITY. After a handful of domestic tour dates (including a special appearance on the Sounds of the Underground tour), the band heads to Mexico and then Europe through August, where they will pay several major festivals including the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

BEYOND FEAR members John Comprix (guitar) and Eric Elkins (drummer) have formed a new band called LAW OF DESTRUCTION. The group, which "steers more toward the brutal side of things," according to Comprix, has uploaded three songs to its MySpace Page. A full-length album will be recorded later in the year.

LAW OF DESTRUCTION's existence should not affect BEYOND FEAR, which is "alive and well," according to Comprix. "We will be working on this band while Tim [BEYOND FEAR vocalist Tim 'Ripper' Owens] and Dennis [Hayes, bass] are doing ICED EARTH."

Regarding their decision to form LAW OF DESTRUCTION, Comprix says, "we [John and Eric] have always loved brutal music so [we] have a chance to write an album and get some aggression out!"

LAW OF DESTRUCTION is:

Scott Bryant: Vocals
John Comprix: Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Kyle Kniceley: Rhythm Guitar
Justin Endres: Bass
Eric Elkins: Drums

TWISTED SISTER guitarist Eddie Ojeda will take part in Steve Steinman's "Vampires Rock" tour in Europe during September-December 2007.

Commented Ojeda: "It's a great show for me to be a part of and three months of touring with them will be great!"

"Vampires Rock" is a musical stage show which premiered in 2004. It is performed by the group headed by Steve Steinman, who had appeared on "Stars in Their Eyes" as Meat Loaf. The group has toured for several years with "The Meat Loaf Story".

Set in the year 2030 in New York populated by The Undead, Baron Von Rockula, owner of the Live and Let Die club, is in search of a bride, and must eventually convince her to agree to eternal immortality.

The show features a number of notable rock anthems, including songs from MEAT LOAF, RAINBOW, AC/DC, ALICE COOPER, THE ROLLING STONES, BON JOVI, QUEEN, WHITESNAKE, BONNIE TYLER and CHER.

The concept is based on "Tanz der Vampire".

Chris Harris and Jon Wiederhorn of MTV.com report: AS I LAY DYING, along with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and UNEARTH, have been at the forefront of metalcore for the last five years. But according to frontman Tim Lambesis, the band's forthcoming LP, "An Ocean Between Us", was largely influenced by what he perceives is the deterioration of the genre.

Before they began writing material for the disc late last year, the San Diego metallers "spent some time listening to our last album [2005's 'Shadows Are Security'] and, just from being on tour, we became a little bit jaded by how the genre — as a whole — has sort of copied itself over and over again," he explained. "We decided we wanted to be more diverse, even down to the point where we sort of felt like we should really focus on writing songs in different categories, and then pick the best songs from those categories and use them for the record."

Produced by KILLSWITCH guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (EVERY TIME I DIE, ALL THAT REMAINS), the album — which hits stores August 21 and features backing vocals from members of DESTROY THE RUNNER — will include a dozen tracks, including "Separation", "Within Destruction" and the likely first single, "Nothing Left". Lambesis said listeners will find that each song differs from the next, with some cuts bordering on chaotic and foreboding, others more driven by melody, and a couple that are just straight-up, balls-to-the-wall thrashy.

"On the tempo side of things, we wanted the record to be pretty fast as a whole, so we wrote some real thrash-influenced songs," he said. "We even wrote songs that have a more emotional depth to them — songs that aren't just pound-your-face-in all the time."

Austrian extreme metallers BELPHEGOR have issued the following update:

"Drummer search continues! ...again! The last session drummers didn't work out when it came to worldwide touring. The group is still seeking a talented, experienced Europe-based drummer. A buddy with a professional attitude and focus to be in the band for real. BELPHEGOR have an album to finish writing and many tours to go on. If you think you have a shot, send us a detailed message and hit us up at: belphegor@aon.at.

"First off, please realize that it will have no effect at all on our activities, touring and otherwise. The core is solid and ready to kick some serious ass. Of course it's irritating to always have new drummers, but that allowed us to surpass ourselves every time, through the hiring of better musicians..."

Austrian symphonic metal band EDENBRIDGE has issued the following update:

"EDENBRIDGE like to welcome Robert Schoenleitner and Sebastian Lanser as their two new members! Robert Schoenleitner already played guitar on EDENBRIDGE's last tour through England and Asia. Robert studied guitar at VGI institute Munich. Sebastian Lanser, who studied drums at the Bruckner University in Linz, will replace Roland Navratil on drums. Sebastian is a longtime friend of Robert. EDENBRIDGE therefore is officially a five-piece again after more than five years."

EDENBRIDGE's rarities/"best of" compilation, entitled "The Chronicles of Eden", was released on June 1. The set was released as a double-CD and limited double-digipack. Disc One contains three new, previously unreleased songs, all Japanese and European bonus tracks and songs that were included on all out-of-print singles. Disc Two includes a "best of" selection out of the five released studio albums.

EDENBRIDGE recently signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's first effort for Napalm will be released in the spring of 2008. Production on the CD is tentatively scheduled to begin next fall. Four songs have already been written and EDENBRIDGE will work with a renowned Czech orchestra for the first time in its career.

EDENBRIDGE's fifth album, "The Grand Design", was released in the U.S. on January 30 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Shine" was recorded at The Farpoint Station studio in Austria and the Thin Ice facility in England with THRESHOLD mastermind Karl Groom.

Former CRADLE OF FILTH/AT THE GATES drummer Adrian Erlandsson, who is currently performing with BRUJERIA and NEMHAIN, has issued the following update:

"I am proud to announce that I have just completed the drums for the upcoming SAMSAS TRAUM record, 'Heiliges Herz', and I will be joining them accompanying tours. I really like the music — these guys got a strange kind of humour. I agreed to the cooperation shortly after I listened to the first demo tracks.

"Some of the new songs will already be presented live in September — along with old smash hits being performed for the first time every with real drums and a new lineup. I can't wait to play the tracks live — SAMSAS TRAUM are eager to kill.

"Meanwhile, the drum recordings for 'Heiliges Herz' were finished in a studio in London — skillfully supervised by Dan Turner."

Commented SAMSAS TRAUM leader Alexander Kaschte: "The result even impresses me. I can't believe that what's blasting out of the speakers is my own music. I'm getting closer to the record I always wanted to make."