Launch Radio Networks reports: Ozzy Osbourne has listed his five favorite hard rock bands for Spinner.com. The list includes LED ZEPPELIN, MOTÖRHEAD, NIRVANA, GREEN DAY and, of course, his own group, BLACK SABBATH. Osbourne said about his No. 1 choice, LED ZEPPELIN, "I can remember walking through Birmingham with Geezer Butler, the bass player from SABBATH, and he knew (ZEP singer) Robert Plant. Plant was walking through the subway and I'd heard his voice. And Geezer says to him, 'What are you up to?' Plant says, 'Well, they asked me to join a band called the NEW YARDBIRDS (which became ZEPPELIN).' And that was it...The first two albums had such an impact on my voice, and on my life, similar to THE BEATLES when I first heard them."

About BLACK SABBATH, Osbourne said, "One of the things with SABBATH: We had full control over what we were doing and how we wanted it laid out. People would come in the studio and give us a suggestion and we'd go, 'Would you f***ing get out of here right now?'We had full artistic control."

On NIRVANA: "Apparently, I met (late NIRVANA frontman Kurt Cobain), 'cause I was talking to Dave Grohl and he said, 'You probably don't remember this, but when you were in Devonshire Studios in the (San Fernando) Valley, me and Kurt were in the room where they had a pool table. When you walked in we were like, 'F***ing hell.'"

Osbourne called GREEN DAY's "American Idiot" album "f***ing brilliant."

Osbourne's new album, "Black Rain", debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart last month. The CD's first single, "I Don't Wanna Stop", is currently No. 1 at rock radio.

The singer will headline this summer's free Ozzfest, which begins on July 12 in Seattle.

Long-running Dutch thrashers DEAD HEAD have issued the following update:

"No news = good news. DEAD HEAD are still alive. Still writing songs, collecting ever more gear and working our day jobs.

"Eggfest [on June 9 in Eibergen] was a cool show. Thanks to all who showed up and the crazy fuckers who stood on stage during the encore."

DEAD HEAD's fifth album is tentatively due next year. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Swing", "Less Than Zero" and "Dissolved in Purity".

Formed in 1989, DEAD HEAD recorded the "Haatland" (2005) album at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR). A 10-inch vinyl EP, "Dog God", featuring two songs from "Haatland", the IRON MAIDEN cover "Total Eclipse" and a re-recording of an older track, was released in 2004 via Fadeless Records.

Dutch death metal brutalizers SEVERE TORTURE are due to enter Hertz studios in Poland tomorrow to start the mix of their forthcoming album, "Sworn Vengeance". The follow-up to 2005's "Fall of the Despised" is due for release by Earache on September 10 and is set to be mixed by Hertz in-house producers Wojtek and Slawek Wieslawski.

The Wieslawski brothers have earned their reputation for high-quality death metal productions with releases by DECAPITATED and VADER, among others.

To see a preview of the artwork for the album and for all upcoming news relating to the release, head over to This location

Video footage of Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper performing THE EURYTHMICS classic "Sweet Dreams" together Sunday night (July 1) at B'Estival in Bucharest, Romania has been posted at YouTube. Manson headlined the festival, which marked the first time Cooper and Manson have ever shared the stage.

With regards to his rumored rivalry with Manson, Alice Cooper told Romania's Hotnews.ro, "We invented the shock on stage. Manson re-invented it for another generation. Despite all similarities, our music doesn't have that much in common: he's more industrial, we're [rooted] in classic hard rock."

Deepsend Records has announced the signing of Denmark's death metal masters DAWN OF DEMISE. The band is currently putting the finishing touches on its debut album, "Hate Takes Its Form", to be released this fall. The CD, which was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (ABORTED, MERCENARY, NIGHTRAGE), "combines the renowned New York death metal sound of early SUFFOCATION with the massive technical chaos of present-day ABORTED, a perfect blend of technicality and heaviness," according to a press release.

Deepsend Records is distributed exclusively in the U.S. by CM Distro and Canada by Sonic Unyon.

Swedish metallers THE DUSKFALL have finalized the track listing for their fourth CD, "The Dying Wonders of the World", due later in the year via Nuclear Blast Records. The band entered the studio on April 1 to begin recording the follow-up to "Lifetime Supply of Guilt". You can read the group's studio diary on their official web site. The CD was mastered by Achim Köhler at Indiscreet Audio in Germany.

"The Dying Wonders of the World" track listing:

01. Paradises into Deserts
02. The Wheel and the Blacklight
03. Deep in Your World
04. Some More Sin on My Burden
05. Shadows and Cancer
06. Bring Us Your Infected
07. The Option and The Poison
08. Sealed with a Fist
09. I've Only Got Knives for You

A five-minute "teaser soundclip" containing parts of four different songs from "The Dying Wonders of the World" has been posted online at this location

Finnish metallers OLYMPOS MONS have posted the title track of their upcoming album, "Medievil", on their MySpace page. Due on July 16 via Scarlet Records, the CD was mixed by Janne Saksa at Sound Supreme Studios in Hämeenlinna and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki. According to a press release, the album is "a big step forward compared to its predecessor, both technically and musically, as people can expect from a group of talented and experienced musicians as OLYMPOS MONS certainly are, with a particular mention for the extraordinary singer Ian E. Highhill."

"Medievil" track listing:

01. One Word
02. Frozen
03. The Emperors Return
04. The Price
05. Wolves
06. A Race Between Two Hearts
07. Fire and Ice
08. Medievil
09. Kingdom of Winter
10. Locked in Chains
11. Dreamer

Relapse will issue "Legacy of the Catacombs", a CD and DVD collection highlighting the career of NILE in North America next Tuesday, July 10 (July 16 internationally).

The "Legacy of the Catacombs" CD features 12 stand-out tracks from NILE's illustrious musical catalog — "Amongst The Catacombs of Nephren-Ka" (1998), "Black Seeds of Vengeance" (2000), "In Their Darkened Shrines" (2002), and "Annihilation of the Wicked" (2005). The DVD portion includes all of the band's studio videos and is packaged with the CD in deluxe digipak housing.

"Legacy of the Catacombs" track listing:

01. Cast Down Te Heretic
02. Sacrifice Unto Sebek
03. Lashed To The Slave Stick
04. Execration Text
05. Sarcophagus
06. Unas Slayer Of The Gods
07. Masturbating The War God
08. Chapter For Transforming Into A Snake
09. Black Seeds Of Vengeance
10. Howling Of The Jinn
11. Barra Edinazzu
12. Smashing The Antiu

Swedish death metallers INSISION will release their third album, "Ikon" (originally due late April), on September 26 via Dental Records. The CD was recorded at Black Lounge studios (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX) in Avesta, Sweden. Mick Usher, who worked on INSISION's last album, "Revealed & Worshipped", designed the cover.

"Ikon" track listing:

01. A Ravenous Discharge
02. Unbind My Hands
03. By Habit
04. Depleting The Non-Being
05. Into The Cold
06. Breathing The Black Dust
07. Doubt Denied
08. Entangled In Thorns *
09. The Magnet Soul

* A remake of the song from the "Promo 2000" demo

Check out the song "Doubt Denied" on the Dental Records MySpace Page.

INSISION last year parted ways with Earache/Wicked World Records. "Just like ENTOMBED and MORBID ANGEL before us, it [is] now time for INSISION to leave Earache in order to go ahead," the band said at the time of the split.

SPV has set the following release dates for ICED EARTH's new studio album, "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I":

Germany: September 7
Rest of Europe: September 10
North America: September 11

"Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part 1" (cover artwork) expands the "Something Wicked" storyline first introduced in the trilogy of the same name appearing on the 1998 release, "Something Wicked This way Comes". "Framing Armageddon" will be followed in February/March 2008 by the band's ninth full-length studio release, tentatively titled "Revelation Abomination - Something Wicked Part 2" , continuing where "Framing Armageddon" leaves off.

"Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part 1" projected track listing:

01. Overture
02. Something Wicked (Part 1)
03. Invasion
04. Man's Motivation
05. The Setian Massacre
06. A Charge to Keep
07. Reflections
08. Ten Thousand Strong
09. Execution
10. Order of the Rose
11. The Clouding
12. Infiltrate and Assimilate
13. Retribution Through the Ages
14. Something Wicked (Part 2)
15. The Domino Decree
16. Framing Armageddon
17. When Stars Collide (Born is He)
18. The Awakening

"Revelation Abomination - Something Wicked Part 2" projected track listing:

01. The Sacred Flames
02. Behold the Wicked Child
03. Minions of the Watch
04. A Gift or a Curse
05. I Walk Among You
06. Harbinger of Fate
07. Ancient Rage of the High Priest
08. A Gathering Threat / Time Marches On
09. Sacrificial Kingdoms
10. Something Wicked (Part 3)
11. Divide Devour
12. Conspiracy / Pilgrimage In Guile
13. Come What May

ICED EARTH will support HEAVEN AND HELL on their U.K. tour in November.

STREAM OF PASSION members Johan van Stratum (bass), Davy Mickers (drums) and Marcela Bovio (vocals, lyrics, violin) have announced the addition of guitarist Stephan Schultz to the group's ranks. More information on Stephan is available at this location.

STREAM OF PASSION parted ways with founding members Arjen Lucassen (guitar), Lori Linstruth (guitar) and Alejandro Millán (piano), back in March. The band recently added keyboardist Jeffrey Revet and guitarist Eric Hazebroek.

STREAM OF PASSION's debut album, "Embrace the Storm", was released in Holland in October 2005 via Sony/BMG Benelux. The CD was issued in the rest of Europe and the U.S./Canada via InsideOut Music.

Danish symphonic black metallers ILLNATH have posted two more audio samples from their forthcoming third album, entitled "Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom". Check them out on the band's MySpace.

"Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom" was recorded at Borsing Studios. Cover artwork will be handled by Wilhelm Steiner.

"Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom" is expected to be released via ILLNATH's own label following the band's split with Worldchaos Production (which was supposed to put out the band's long-completed second full-length offering, "Second Skin of Harlequin". "The new material will reflect the new situation we're in — new drummer and new bass player, plus almost three years since the last album was recorded," the group previously said.

Robert Plant has shot down reports that LED ZEPPELIN will reunite for a one-off memorial concert in honor of their late record company boss.

A report was published earlier in the week suggesting that Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones will re-group alongside John Bonham's son Jason for a special concert in memory of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun in London.

A source was quoted as saying, "Page, Plant and Jones spoke and agreed to do the memorial concert. They are waiting for a definite date.

"And no one can quite believe it, but during discussions about the concert they all gave the green light to a tour if it all does well and they don't all fall out.

"It has been hoped for and denied for years. But this is the closest they have ever come to a reunion tour. The feeling is that this is going to happen next year."

Speaking at a press conference for the upcoming Rockwave festival — which is scheduled to be held June 29, June 1 and June 3 in Athens, Greece — Plant insisted that he hadn't heard anything about the rumored ZEPPELIN reunion and jokingly added, "If there was one, then there wouldn't be enough doctors to support it!"

Ertegun died in December 2006 after seven weeks in a coma following a fall at a ROLLING STONES concert.

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."

As previously reported, EXODUS has scheduled the following dates during August:

Aug. 04 - San Marcos, CA @ The Jumping Turtle
Aug. 05 - Mexicali, Mexico @ El Jardin Sllencio Extreme
Aug. 06 - Modesto, CA @ Fat Cat Music house
Aug. 07 - West Hollywood, CA @ Whiskey A Go Go
Aug. 08 - Corona, CA @ Showcase Theater
Aug. 09 - Fresno, CA @ Belmont
Aug. 10 - San Jose, CA @ Blank Club

Tickets for the above dates are available through EnterTheVault.com and all normal ticketing outlets.

Gary Holt has just released his first-ever instructional DVD, "A Lesson in Guitar Violence", through Zaentz. The disc, which contains never-before-seen live footage from 1985 at the Dynamo Club in Holland, can be ordered at The Exodus Store.

Holt previously stated about the DVD, "I am planning on focusing on rhythm technique, some lead chops, and going over the correct way to play some of the EXODUS riffs. I feel there are enough straight shred things out there, so I want to do something as bit differrent. And of course I will make it funny as hell!"

Zaentz Records is the new label formed by Steven Warner (EXODUS' manager) and partner Jonnie Zaentz (son of Saul Zaentz, Fantasy Records co-founder). Zaentz is an independent artist-friendly upstart label that features an in-house, state-of-the-art recording facility.

Frontiers Records has announced the details of the new studio album from German melodic metal masters PRIMAL FEAR, entitled "New Religion" (cover artwork), to be released in Europe on September 21.

PRIMAL FEAR started the songwriting for their new CD in October 2006 and the recording began shortly later, at the House Of Music studio with engineer and co-producer Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, SAXON, HAMMERFALL) and longtime producer and band member Mat Sinner.

"I really feel electrified," says Sinner. "I never had such a feeling since the release of the first PRIMAL FEAR album in 1998. We never worked harder on an album before," while singer Ralph Scheepers adds, "'New Religion' is definitely the start of a new chapter in the history of PRIMAL FEAR. The fact we've signed with a new record company and bringing back our good friend Henny Wolter into the band sets more energy free than the launch of a rocket. The band is in the best mood since many many years! Can't believe that? Listen to the album!"

The album proves once again that Randy Black is one of the world's top drummers and singer Ralf Scheepers delivers the most exciting and outstanding vocal performance of his career. Most of the guitars were played by Stefan Leibing. STARBREAKER and ALLAN/LANDE producer/guitarist Magnus Karlsson helped out with two stunning guitar solos prior to Henny Wolter rejoining the band and recording more lead and rhythm guitar for the CD.

EPICA's lead singer Simone Simons was invited to studio to sing the first duet in PRIMAL FEAR recording history, on the song "Everytime It Rains". The band worked on the mix at the Galaxy Studio in Belgium with award-winning engineer Ronald Prent (RAMMSTEIN, IRON MAIDEN, MANOWAR). Mat Sinner states: "We are totally satisfied about the result and the final sound. Ronald did a great job. In my view, 'New Religion' sounds more powerful than the predecessor, even you can hear every single tone crystal clear."

The song "Fighting The Darkness" is divided into three different sections: the first part "Fighting The Darkness" is, according to Mat Sinner, "the best sounding tune the band has released so far," followed by a huge instrumental "The Darkness" and a "Reprise".

"The real metal songs like 'Sign Of Fear', 'Blood On Your Hands' and 'New Religion' are sounding 100% like PRIMAL FEAR, but still different" explains Mat Sinner. "I really love the vibe and that I feel a progress in our work, that there is still space for a new step into creativity. Even the fast, but very melodic tracks like 'Face The Emptiness' and 'The Curse Of Sharon' sounding fresh, new and exciting!"

Two video clips were produced — for "Fighting The Darkness" and "Sign Of Fear" — which are included in the album's limited digipack edition ipak. In Ralph Scheepers' words: "'Sign Of Fear' shows the powerful side of PRIMAL FEAR in a raging performance clip, while 'Fighting The Darkness' is more like acting on a crime scene. After the night shot of 'Sign Of Fear' until 5 AM in the morning, we were all tried to death, but the concept of 'Fighting The Darkness' was such a great challenge for everyone, we really gave more than 200% to look and act good."

Mat Sinner states: "We will start our tour in the U.S. this time and co-headline the ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta. For the first time, we will perform a bunch of songs from the new album on stage! Then we will embark on a double headliner tour together with our friends of U.D.O. through Europe, plus a yet undecided special guest. In December we will tour Japan and Korea, plus some more Xmas shows in Europe. Then we're working on dates in South America, the U.S. and Canada for early 2008!"

"New Religion" track listing:

01. Sign Of Fear
02. Face The Emptiness
03. Everytime It Rains
04. New Religion
05. Fighting The Darkness:
a) Fighting The Darkness
b) The Darkness
c) Reprise
06. Blood On Your Hands
07. The Curse Of Sharon
08. Too Much Time
09. Psycho
10. World On Fire
11. The Man (That I Don't Know)

Check out audio samples at this location.

"New Religion" will be released in Europe on September 21. A U.S. release date has not yet been announced.

After nearly six months in the studio, German gothic metal band THE VISION BLEAK has finished recording its third album, "The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey".

Commented the group's Ulf Theodor Schwadorf: "The album contains nine songs which are definitely among the heaviest and at the same time the most atmospheric and most stringent pieces of music THE VISION BLEAK has ever released. The metal part — read: the guitar riffs — of THE VISION BLEAK's sound certainly has made it more into the foreground on 'The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey', but still there are bombastic orchestral sections, acoustic guitars, sitars and lots of atmospheric details featured in all songs."

The follow-up to 2005's "Carpathia", "The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey" will feature the following track listing:

01. Amala & Kamala
02. She-Wolf
03. The Demon Of The Mire
The Black Pharaoh Trilogy
04. Introduction
05. Part I: The Shining Trapezohedron
06. Part II: The Vault Of Nephren-Ka
07. The Eldrich Beguilement
08. Evil Is Of Old Date
09. By Our Brotherhood With Seth

"The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey" will be released on August 31 as a normal CD and a deluxe edition. Apart from a live DVD, the deluxe edition will contain a return coupon for ordering an exclusive T-shirt and a free THE VISION BLEAK patch.

Controversial U.K. dark art practitioners AKERCOCKE have announced a special show at the Underworld in London on August 4. This will be the band's much-discussed and previously postponed 10-year-anniversary concert.

Commented the group: "We've decided finally to go ahead and mark the 10th year of the band's existance with a unique show that will feature a lot of unusual material as well as some classic blasters. Older songs that have seldom seen an airing. Some that haven't been heard live for many years or ever. We will be filming the show for an anniversary live album/DVD, to be released later in the year on Goat of Mendes Records." Support for this special event will be provided by KINGSIZE BLUES, TED MAUL and BREEDAPART.

What Records has just released "The World's Greatest Albums - Iron Maiden: The Ultimate Critical Review" DVD. A description of the title reads as follows: "With the release of the classic self-titled album in April 1981, IRON MAIDEN set themselves at the very forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This authoritative DVD tells the story of the making of a classic heavy metal album. It includes a unique, frank interview with original MAIDEN front man and bad boy Paul Di'Anno — known affectionately as The Beast — who shares his memories and recollections of making a ground-breaking record; we also hear from former guitarist Dennis Stratton and from Tony Moore, who was keyboardist with the band during their formative years. Drawing upon spectacular vintage footage of the band in action in concert and in the TV studio, the program provides an in-depth analysis of the album. On hand to lend their expert views are much-respected rock journalist Mick Wall, who is also the band's biographer, and Paul Stenning, author of 'Iron Maiden - Thirty Years of the Beast'. Also featuring expert comment by Malcolm Dome of Total Rock Radio and Jerry Ewing of Classic Rock magazine, this is the definitive guide to a landmark album in heavy metal music."

Frontiers Records has announced the details of singer David Readman's self-titled debut album, due out on August 31.

Best known as singer for PINK CREAM 69, David also appeared on album from ADAGIO and from studio projects such as MISSA MERCURIA and on the more recent ANDERSEN/LAINE/READMAN CD.

After David left the French power metal outfit ADAGIO in 2005, he started to gather material for a solo album which has always been his ultimate dream.

"I did a lot myself from writing the songs, to recording organizing the whole thing," says David. "Dennis Ward (David's bandmate in PINK CREAM 69) recorded the drums over two sessions and also mixed the record. If I was to thank something it would be the Internet, strange I know but without it would have taken even longer. And I wouldn't have met all the great people who played on the record, especially Paul Logue (of EDEN'S CURSE) who played bass and wrote two songs with me."

David has worked hard on the songwriting. He explains, "There are a few songs that wouldn't have made it on a PINK CREAM 69 CD because of style. With this record I was able to experiment a little. When you work this way it becomes your baby, you're making all the decisions. It's not always easy to keep a song interesting from the start to the finish. So that was a lot of work, but that's what I wanted."

Recording started during 2006, but David needed a long break (for the recording of PINK CREAM 69's latest opus, "In10sity"), so that resumed the work in February, 2007 and finally delivered the album in the spring time.

"I am very happy with the record," concludes the Burnley-born British singer. "It was a big deal for me — a real learning curve. I'm also interested to hear what the people have to say about it; I'm very inpatient."

The lineup appearing on "David Readman" includes:

Paul Logue (EDEN'S CURSE) - Bass
Dirk Bruinenberg (ELEGY) - Drums
Chris Schmidt - Drums
Eric Ragno (ex-TAKARA) – Keyboards
Günter Werno (VANDENPLAS) - Keyboards
Alex Beyrodt (SILENT FORCE) - Guitar
Gerald Sänger - Guitar
Tommy Denander - Guitar
Uwe Reitenauer - Guitar
David Readman - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards

Production duties were handled by Dennis Ward.

"David Readman" track listing:

01. Without You
02. Evil Combination
03. Take These Tears
04. Don't Let It Slip Away
05. No Peace For The Wicked
06. Long Way To Heaven
07. Wild In The City
08. Gentle Touch
09. Prisoner Of Shame
10. New Messiah
11. Over The Ocean
12. Love In Vain
13. Don't Let It Slip Away (bonus multimedia video track)

Check out audio samples at this location

SAVATAGE/TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA guitarist Chris Caffery has posted another track from his new solo album, "Pins and Needles", at his MySpace page. Check out the song "Y.G.B.F.K.M." (You've Gotta Be Fucking Kidding Me!) at this location.

"Pins and Needles" was released in Europe on March 23 via Metal Heaven Records. The CD will arrive in North America on June 5 via Locomotive.

The follow-up to 2004's "Faces" and 2005's collection of bonus tracks and new compositions, "W.A.R.P.E.D.", "Pins and Needles" was originally scheduled to be released through Greece's Black Lotus Records, but after the company closed its doors last year, Caffery was forced to seek a new label home.

According to a press release, "Pins and Needles" features a "more powerful, aggressive, experimental and focused attack that is sure to catch the ears of any metal fan." The album was produced by Caffery together with Nik Chinboukas at Nik's Hot Tracks Studio, Spin Studios and Happy Beaver Studios, Astoria, NY.

EVERGREY's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"As you all know, Fredrik Larsson was the temporary bass player after Michael [Håkansson] left. Fredrik has now rejoined HAMMERFALL. The EVERGREY crew wish him all the best in the future. He is still a good friend of the band.

"New songs have been and are being recorded. Tom [Englund; vocals, guitar] and Henrik [Danhage; guitar] are doing all the bass playing in the studio at this moment, so bass is not an issue at this time. Jonas [Ekdahl; drums] and Rikard [Zander; keyboards] are also participating in writing lyrics and music for the new album. The recording session is scheduled to be done by the end of the summer.

"The new album will be launched before Christmas.

"For all fans out there, this album is HEAVY! In my ears probably the heaviest they have ever done.

"After releasing the new album, EVERGREY will start touring. By that time a bass player should be selected for the band (hired or permanent, future will tell...). There are also some new endorsement contracts being negotiated at this time. It's still too early to announce as of yet. A new label is being sought after...more to come on that later."

STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto's High and Loud record label has signed Finnish hard rockers ANCARA.

"After seeing a couple of gigs by the band and listening to their new material I was convinced: this band has to be signed!" explains Kotipelto.

He adds, "ANCARA plays honest hard rock and are not running after any trends. Sammy [Salminen] has a very strong voice backed up by excellent backing vocals by the other guys. The songs are catchy and the band rocks the house when playing live!"

ANCARA's new album, "Beyond the Dark", will be released in Finland on August 22. A video for the song "Deny" has been posted at YouTube

A new DIABOLIC track, entitled "Engulf the Enchantress", has been posted on the band's MySpace. The track comes off the group's new four-song EP, "Chaos in Hell", which was recorded at D.O.W. studios with producer Juan "Punchy" Gonzales (MORBID ANGEL, TERRORIZER).

Currently unsigned, DIABOLIC has been confirmed for the Gathering of the Bestial Legion Festival III, which will be held August 19 at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, California. Also scheduled to appear are POSSESSED, MALEVOLENT CREATION, THE CHASM, ACHERON and RESSURECTION, among others. Other upcoming DIABOLIC shows include Tampa, Florida on June 30; Houston, Texas on July 7; Corpus Christi, Texas on July 8; and Anniston, Alabama on September 1.

The DIABOLIC lineup for these dates will be as follows:

Aantar Coates: Drums
Paul Ouellette: Bass/Vocals
Kelly McLauchlin: Guitars
RJ James: Guitars

Megaforce Records and metal/hardcore pioneers S.O.D. will release "Rise of the Infidels" on August 21, 2007. It is an extended EP (perhaps the longest in the music biz) with four unreleased S.O.D. songs, plus a live concert from Seattle is included.

One of the crucial bands in the musical chain linking hardcore punk with metal, the STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH — known as S.O.D. — were actually intended to be a one-off side project, done as a lark.

S.O.D. began in the mid-1980s during a break in the recording of ANTHRAX's "Spreading the Disease". What started out as a quick, satirical release for Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Dan Lilker, and the infamous Billy Milano, S.O.D. has turned into a seminal band influencing countless hardcore, metalcore, and post-hardcore bands. Their first album, "Speak English or Die", has sold over 400,000 copies and remains an underground classic.

S.O.D. was always about brutal satire, but done with complete honesty. Anyone who has witnessed their severe, yet astonishing live show, knows that S.O.D. is like no other band on the planet.

"Rise of the Infidels" track listing:

01. Stand Up And Fight
02. Java Amigo
03. United And Strong
04. Ready To Fight

Live At The Fenix

05. Ballad Of Nirvana/March Of The S.O.D.
06. Sgt D And The S.O.D.
07. Kill Yourself
08. Milano Mosh
09. Speak English Or Die
10. Fuck the Middle East
11. Douche Crew
12. Ballad Of Jimi Hendrix
13. Ballad Of Jim Morrison
14. Ballad Of INXS
15. Ballad Of Frank Sinatra
16. Ballad Of Nirvana
17. Ballad Of Freddy Mercury
18. Cromatic Death
19. Fist Banging Mania
20. No Turning Back
21. Milk
22. Pussywhipped
23. Freddy Krueger
24. United Forces

Two European dates have been leaked for the much-anticipated "Hellish Rock" tour featuring HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY:

Nov. 16 - Budapest, HUN @ Petöfi Hall
Dec. 21 - Langen, GER @ Stadthalle

The trek will kick off mid-November and will include one or two additional acts.

Apart from very few festival appearances, this will be the first time ever HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY have toured together. In addition, it is extremely likely that Kai Hansen — GAMMA RAY leader and ex-HELLOWEEN member — will join his former bandmates for a jam on classic HELLOWEEN numbers.

Commented HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath: "This is going to be a historical event for all HELLOWEEN fans. We are looking forward to have Kai and his band on our tour with us."

Plans also exist to take this powerful package to the territories of Southeast Asia, as well as North and South America.