Polish black/death metal band DARZAMAT will release its first-ever live DVD, entitled "Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)" (cover), in Europe on June 25 via Metal Mind Productions (July 31 in the U.S.). The disc was recorded at the 21st edition of the Metalmania Festival, which took place on March 24 in Katowice, Poland, and will contain material comprised mostly of songs from the band's latest album, "Transkarpatia". Also included will be the group's surprise performance of the song "Diabelski Dom" by the cult Polish metal band KAT, featuring a guest appearance by KAT leader Roman Kostrzewski. The DVD will also includes additional footage from the Winternachtstraum Festival, which took place in February 2007 in Arnsberg, Germany, two unreleased tracks, video clips, and an interview with Flauros and Nera.

"Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)" track listing:

Metalmania 2007:

01. Intro
02. Labyrinth of Anxiety
03. The Burning Times
04. Fistful of Ashes
05. Hallucinations
06. Blackward
07. Vampiric Prose
08. The Old Form of Worship
09. Recurring Yell
10. Demise
11. Diabelski Dom cz.II

Winternachtstraum Festival 2007:

01. Intro
02. Blackward
03. Vampiric Prose
04. Era Aggression
05. Labyrinth of Anxiety
06. Hallucinations
07. The Burning Times
08. Fistful of Ashes
09. The Old Form of Worship
10. Storm

Bonus video:

* The Burning Times
* Era Aggression
* In Red Iris

Bonus audio:

* Equinox
* Storm 2005

Also includes:

* Photo gallery
* Band history
* Discography
* Desktop images
* Weblinks
* Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Long-running Austrian extreme metallers PUNGENT STENCH have finished recording their new album, tentatively due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label. The CD, which is currently being mixed by guitarist/vocalist Martin Schirenc (a.k.a. Don Cochino) will feature the following track listing:

01. Opus Dei – Glorified Be Pain!
02. The King Of Smut
03. Devil's Work & Our Contribution
04. Aztec Holiday (Heartless In Tenochtitlán)
05. Planet Of The Dead
06. Persona Non Grata
07. Suicide Bombshell
08. Me, Gonzo
09. Brute
10. I Require Death Sentence (We Must Clean House!)

PUNGENT STENCH's latest album, "Ampeauty", was issued in September 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Reformed cult German progressive metal band SIEGES EVEN has revealed the cover artwork for its new album, "Paramount", due in September via Inside Out Music. The photo was taken by British artist David J. Nightingale, while Thomas Ewerhard was responsible for the actual cover design.

"Paramount" track listing (not final sequence):

01. When Alpha And Omega Collide
02. Bridge To The Divine
03. Paramount
04. Mounting Castles in The Blood Red Sky (instrumental)
05. Where Our Shadows Sleep
06. Leftovers
07. Iconic
08. Tidal
09. A Wallflower On The Day Of Saint Juliana
10. A Dream In Monochrome
11. Duende

SIEGES EVEN's current lineup consists of Arno Menses (vocals), Oliver Holzwarth (bass), Markus Steffen (guitars) and Alex Holzwarth (drums, RHAPSODY).

STRATOVARIUS frontman Timo Kotipelto has announced his solo band lineup for its upcoming appearances. It is as follows:

Tuomas Wäinölä - guitars
Lauri Porra - Bass
Robert Engstrand - keys
Mirka Rantanen - drums
Jari Kainulainen - bass *
Timo Kotipelto - vocals.

* only for Wanaja Festival

Commented Timo: "Robert will join the band for the rest of the gigs. He played on our past two European tours. I am very happy to have him back in the band. He is an excellent keyboard player and sings awesome backing vocals. It will [also] be nice to share the stage with Jari Kainulainen again. Lauri has some other activities booked for the Wanaja Festival date so Jari will take his place."

Singer Hansi Kürsch of German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN has reportedly signed on to make a guest appearance on the forthcoming sophomore album from Italian "techno thrash" metallers ANEURYSM. Entitled "Shades", the CD is tentatively due later in the year via Old Ones Records.

ANEURYSM's debut album, "Aware", came out in 2002.

ANEURYSM is:

Gianmaria Carneri - Voice and Rhythm Guitar
Peter Calmasini - Guitars
Marco Piran - Drums
Ivano Dalla Brea - Bass
Stefano Torregrossa - Samples and Keyboards

Swedish industrial goth metal band DEATHSTARS has posted its video for the track "Virtue to Vice" on the group's official web site. Check it out: Quicktime (86 MB), Windows Media (35 MB).

"Virtue to Vice" is the third video from DEATHSTARS' sophomore album, "Termination Bliss", which entered the German Media Control chart in February 2006 at position No. 87.

DEATHSTARS was honored with the "Best Newcomer" award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards Monday night (June 11) at Koko in London, England.

In existence since January 2000 (formerly known as SWORDMASTER), DEATHSTARS features in its ranks former DISSECTION drummer Ole Öhman and guitarist Emil Nödtveidt (brother of late DISSECTION leader Jon).

AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen's webmaster has issued the following update:

"The very first vocalist for the seventh AYREON album was recorded in the Electric Castle Studio last week. We're not revealing the name of the vocalist just yet, but you can listen to a sample of the voice (without instruments) here.

"During the time leading up to the official announcement of each of the vocalists participating on the new AYREON album, we'll be giving acapella previews of every vocalist. Currently 12 vocalists have been confirmed, and a few more will be added.

In another update the webmater adds: "Arjen and Ed Warby [GOREFEST] finished all drum recording together with producer Gordon Groothedde. Studio report is coming soon!"

AYREON's last CD, "Ayreon: The Human Equation", was released in 2004. It contained guest appearances by a number of acclaimed vocalists, including James LaBrie (DREAM THEATER), Mike Baker (SHADOW GALLERY), Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH), Eric Clayton (SAVIOUR MACHINE), Devon Graves (DEADSOUL TRIBE, ex-PSYCHOTIC WALTZ) and Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD).

Finnish goth-metallers CHARON have issued the following update:

"We have been writing music. We will keep on writing new songs and making demos in the summer. We have already laid down six new CHARON tracks. We think they rock like hell. We will announce album information on these pages as soon as we know. We will not play gigs this summer but we will drink some summer wine for you. We will return on stage in October in Russia. We will play in Finland when we have enough new songs."

CHARON's latest album, "Songs for the Sinners", debuted on Finland's national album chart at position No. 6 back in September 2005.

The follow-up to 2003's "The Dying Daylights", "Songs for the Sinners" was recorded at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki with producer Mikko Karmila.

Raleigh, North Carolina-based progressive metalcore quintet BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME has issued the following update:

"Well, we are done tracking our new record, 'Colors', and we couldn't be happier. It was an amazing experience, as always, working with the mighty Jamie King, and we couldn't thank him enough for being an amazing person and engineer/producer. we are currently mixing the record right now and will be done in the next week or so. The record will be released on September 18th through Victory Records.

"This record is nothing you've ever heard from us before... it's a 65-minute opus of non-stop pummeling beautiful music. We have described this release as 'adult contemporary death prog metal.' We hope you have fun with it.

"We are doing a small two-week tour with our amazing friends THE RED CHORD, CEPHALIC CARNAGE and THE END... ARISE AND RUIN are taking THE END's place on the Canadian dates..."

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME's last release was a reissue of the "The Silent Circus" album, which originally came out in 2003. In addition to the LP's original track listing, the set came with a bonus DVD.

BBC News reports: A horror film by 2006 Eurovision Song Contest winners LORDI has received 300,000 euros (£200,000) funding from the Finnish government, reports say.

"Dark Floors", which will feature the rock band's four members, is being shot in Finland at a cost of 4.2m euros (£2.84m), according to Screen Daily.

The film, which features a largely Finnish cast, will premiere in the country on February 8.

LORDI recently introduced the film at the Cannes Film Festival.

The movie, which is currently being filmed in northern Finland, is described by the band's lead singer, Mr. Lordi, as a "traditional modern horror" that will feature monsters and "horrific scenes".

Greek melodic metal sensation FIREWIND will release a new single, "Breaking the Silence", in Greece on July 2. A video for the title cut was recently shot with director Patric Ullaeus from Sweden's Revolver Film Company (DIMMU BORGIR, WITHIN TEMPTATION, IN FLAMES).

"Breaking The Silence" CD single track listing:

01. Breaking The Silence (feat. Tara Teresa)
02. Healing Tool *
03. Till The End Of Time [live] *
+ "Breaking The Silence" (feat. Tara Teresa) [Video Clip Enhancement]

* Previously unreleased song/version

FIREWIND's first single off the "Allegiance" album, "Falling to Pieces", reached position No. 11 on Greek chart and remained on the chart for ten weeks.

MANOWAR's new double live album, "Gods of War Live" will be released on July 6, 2007. This over-two-hour-long manifestation of pure power will feature the entire set list of the recently completed leg of the "Demons, Dragons and Warriors Tour 2007". The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Manowar
02. Call To Arms
03. Gloves Of Metal
04. Each Dawn I Die
05. Holy War
06. Mountains
07. The Oath
08. Secret Of Steel
09. Son Of William's Tale
10. The Gods Made Heavy Metal
11. Die For Metal
12. Kings Of Metal
13. Warriors Of The World United
14. Black Wind, Fire And Steel
15. The Blood Of Odin
16. The Sons Of Odin
17. Glory Majesty Unity
18. Gods Of War
19. Army Of The Dead, Part II
20. Odin
21. Hymn Of The Immortal Warriors
22. The Crown And The Ring

SEPULTURA founding members and brothers Max and Igor Cavalera have confirmed that they are collaborating on new music for the first time in more than 10 years. According to reports, the material will be released as a completely new project, separate from Max's work in SOULFLY.

Jose Mangin of Sirius Satellite Radio's Hard Attack just returned from Phoenix, Arizona where he visited Max at his home and got a chance to hear some of the music that has been written for this new band.

The material, which has been described by Mangin as "sick"-sounding, may include guest appearances by members of NAPALM DEATH and SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Igor Cavalera left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." He has since been replaced by Jean Dolabella (ex-UDORA).

Igor's departure from SEPULTURA came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from the group's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January 2006). Filling in on drums during the band's spring 2006 European tour with IN FLAMES was Roy Mayorga, who played with Max in SOULFLY for several years in the late '90s and again in 2001-2003.

Max Cavalera left SEPULTURA in December 1996 after the rest of the band fired his wife Gloria as the group's manager.

Vocalist Henrik Wenngren has left Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE to concentrate on his project FAVILLA. Replacing him in SKYFIRE's current incarnation is ELOHIM vocalist Joakim Karlsson.

Commented SKYFIRE: "We are very excited to hear [Joakim's] voice in SKYFIRE on both future recordings and on all the old classics which we are itching to play live. We're also excited to announce that ANDROMEDA's Johan Reinholdz is officially a member of SKYFIRE now. Johan helped us out big-time on our tour in Spain when Jonas left and Martin had to take over on bass, so we are all extremely excited that he is now a fulltime member of the band.

"Speaking of the new record, we've all been hard at work writing and demoing new material to release on a new, up-and-coming label and has proven to be perfect for SKYFIRE. We've been given the go-ahead to announce our new home soon!

"We'll start officially recording the new album as soon as possible and it will probably be mixed later this year by someone who many of you should be familiar with by now in the metal scene."

SKYFIRE's current lineup is as follows:

Joakim Karlsson (Vocals)
Martin Hanner (Bass, Keyboards)
Andreas Edlund (Guitars, Keyboards)
Johan Reinholdz (Guitars)
Joakim Jonsson (Drums)

Amund Svensson (a.k.a. Psy Coma) of Norway's THE KOVENANT has issued the following update on the band's long-awaited new album, "Aria Galactica":

"Just wanted to say a few things in regards to our work and its future. I only speak for myself in this blog, so it is still not to be regarded as official news of any sorts, just raw material from the chaos that has been my mind of late.

"In all regards to being honest and such, I must confess... I didn't touch the record for almost a year. But I did just recently start on it again. You see, there was, and is I guess, so much turmoil in my 'personal' life, that I just couldn't work. Really. And I made the project so ambitious, that I almost killed myself with it, metaphoricly speaking of course, but not too far from the truth either.

"But I realized, the music is such a gem, I am so proud of it, that it has to be completed, and the irony is that I know the impact it will have for the band and on the metal scene, so it just needs to get done and the band is revitalized. After all, that is what I do, what we do, so if some hardship blocks our path, then well, so be it.

"As time passes by, one treads through many variations of identety, but I keep coming back to the same old one: I really need to create music, I am completely lost without it, and have no hold on any other reality than the one I created, and always loved. So I guess what I'm saying is, that we shall indeed finish the record and more to come after that, but I view it on a different scale now, that it's a body of work that is crafted like the classical masters used to, and that the time it takes to fully complete it is not of relevance (it sounds arrogant perhaps, but I only said it was crafted in that manner, not that it could be compared by its actual contents and quality!).

"So I'm on the right track again, and we shall see how it progresses, I'm always known for kicking it up a notch or ten when im truly inspired, so perhaps it might be completely done by the end of this summer. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm working on it again...

The bottom line is this: We had some rough times behind us, and surely some are still to come, but we are still around and in our prime, (thank Satan we started very young, hehe) and our music is better then it ever was. Just some bullshit got in our way; I guess it was called life. Ha, it had to hit us sooner or later I guess, we just always sailed our own paths, so reality sort of cought up with us.

"And I thank you for all the support as well. It's easy to forget that we have something out there, and you all keep reminding me that it's not just an ego trip, somebody actualy cares as well. Same difference perhaps.

"So, there you are. No drama, just a reality check."

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH has set "Dark Passion Play" as the title of its new album, due on September 28 via Nuclear Blast Records (most of Europe), September 26 via Spinefarm Records/Universal (Finland) and September 28 via Roadrunner Records (USA). The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. The Poet And The Pendulum
02. Bye Bye Beautiful
03. Amaranth
04. Cadence Of Her Last Breath
05. Master Passion Greed
06. Eva
07. Sahara
08. Whoever Brings The Night
09. For The Heart I Once Had
10. The Islander
11. Last Of The Wilds
12. 7 Days To The Wolves
13. Meadows Of Heaven

Check out the cover artwork at this location.

A single, "Amaranth", will precede the album on August 24 (Nuclear Blast) and August 22 (Spinefarm/Universal). It will be available in several different versions, the details of which will be announced later.

To see the "Amaranth" cover artwork, click here

An exclusive NILE Internet-only single — an appetizer for the group's upcoming album, "Ithyphallic" — will be released on June 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. It will contain the following tracks:

01. Papyrus Containing The Spell To Preserve Its Possessor…
02. Laying Fire Upon Apep (rehearsal)
03. Drum Session (video)

To get this rare item, click here

Launch Radio Networks reports: EVANESCENCE is getting to play in countries that it's never visited before on its current tour, with trips scheduled for later this month to Russia and the Middle East, among other places. Singer Amy Lee told Launch she's looking forward to performing for new audiences. "We're going to Israel and Turkey and Russia and Scotland, and we've never been to any of those places," she said. "We actually just hit South Africa and South America and we'd never been to either of those places either, so it's very cool."

EVANESCENCE debuted its new lineup on May 19 at the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio. The touring band now includes guitarist Troy McLawhorn and drummer Will Hunt, both of DARK NEW DAY, who replaced John LeCompt and Rocky Gray.

Chicago's dark metal act NOVEMBERS DOOM will be recording its first live performance DVD on November 10, 2007 at Biebob Club in Vosselaar, Belgium. An early 2008 release through The End Records is expected.

Commented singer Paul Kuhr: "We chose to record [the DVD] at Biebob in Vosselaar, Belgium, simply because it was one of the greatest experiences we've had performing in the past. The crowd left a lasting impression on us, and we want to capture that, and share it with others on this DVD. We have been talking about recording for many years, and we always waited until the time when we could do this on our own terms, making it special for us, as well as the people who made us feel at home. Joining us for the first time is AJATTARA from Finland. We're very excited they accepted the invitation, as their sound is a perfect complement for the show. We're also being joined by old friends THURISAZ, who we have toured with in both Europe and The United States, making a special night for us even better!"

NOVEMBERS DOOM released its latest album, "The Novella Reservoir", in February through The End Records.

Dutch rock act THE GATHERING has launched a vocalist search following the recent departure of Anneke van Giersbergen. Interested male and female vocalists are invited to send a short bio and one or two MP3s to audition@gathering.nl.

Anneke van Giersbergen has announced the formation of a brand new band called AGUA DE ANNIQUE. The group will release an album called "Air" in the fall of 2007.

Anneke van Giersbergen's final appearance with THE GATHERING will take place on August 4 at the Ankkarock festival in Finland.

THE GATHERING released its latest album, "Home", in April 2006 on The End Records.

Norwegian metallers NOCTURNAL BREED have posted two more songs from their new album "Fields of Rot", due later this month via Agonia Records. Check out the tracks "In Sickness and In Hell" and "Wicked, Vicious & Violent" at this location. The cover art for "Fields of Rot" was created specifically for this release by Norwegian artist Kjetil Nystuen, who is an art director in the gaming industry. The PS2 first-person shooter game Killzone is among his credits. Other songtitles set to appear on the album include "Iron Bitch" and "Invasion of the Bodythrashers".

NOCTURNAL BREED will support Chicago's USURPER on a two-week European tour in the fall. The trek, which will also include THE STONE (Serbia) and DECAYED (Portugal), will kick off October 25 in Hamburg, Germany and will run through November 10 in Berlin. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

NOCTURNAL BREED has re-released its "Tools of the Trade" and "No Retreat... No Surrender" CDs through Brazil's Kill Again Records.

A video diary from this year's Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards gala, which was held last night (Monday, June 11) at Koko in London, England, is available at Metal Hammer TV.

The Sun Online reported earlier today that Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE were booed last night when they collected their award for "Best UK Band".

LAMB OF GOD walked away with just one gong, despite an impressive five nominations.

The complete list of winners is as follows:

Best U.K. Band: BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
Best Live Band: LAMB OF GOD
Best International Band: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
Best Underground Band: JOB FOR A COWBOY
Best Newcomer: DEATHSTARS
Best Video: AVENGED SEVENFOLD - "Seize The Day"
Riff Lord: Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER)
Shredder: Bill Kelliher and Brent Hinds (MASTODON)
Best Metal Label: Roadrunner
Album Of The Year: MACHINE HEAD - "The Blackening"
Spirit of Hammer: NAPALM DEATH
Golden God: Robb Flynn
Icon Award: SLAYER
Best Viral Campaign: BUCKCHERRY
Best Comeback: HEAVEN AND HELL

Nuclear Blast Records has posted audio samples from AMORPHIS' upcoming single, "Silent Waters", at this location.

Due on June 27, the "Silent Waters" single will contain the following tracks:

01. Silent Waters (edit)
02. Sign
03. Silent Waters (album version)

DARK FUNERAL mainman Lord Ahriman has issued the following update:

"I guess by now most of you, if not all, have realised that Matte Modin [drums] is no longer in the band. I won't go into any details as why at this point, but I guess if you read the statement Caligula [DARK FUNERAL vocalist/bassist Emperor Magus Caligula] made a couple of weeks ago it should be quite obvious...

"Anyway, we have for the past few weeks been busy rehearsing with a new AMAZING drummer. And all I can say is WOW! He totally nails the songs exactly as they are played on the albums, with every single hit on the snare, kick, cymbals, etc, just a little bit better. Might sound a bit weird to you, but now with a new maniac behind the kit one realise that a lot of things have actually been missing from the drum department when we've played the songs live. Not anymore though. And I'm sure things will just get better.

"With a new drummer onboard we have also come to realise another important thing. And that is how much we have destroyed some of our songs when we have performed them live. Nothing wrong with hyper speed, but apparently we have been blinded by the speed factor and brought it to a level where it, unfortunately, have ruined the genuine atmosphere, the melodies, and the heaviness of the songs. Now that's in the past. With the new drummer we play the songs in perfect harmony with the speed (perhaps a little bit faster than on the records, but now with total control) and it sounds phenomenal!!!

"Anyway, our new drummer actually made his live debut with us in Germany a couple of weeks ago (Hellraiser Open Air and Rock Hard Festival). And considering the very short time we had to rehearse with him before these shows, it went pretty damn fine I must say.

"Now I guess you're curious to know who the new guy is, right!? Well, I won't hold your breath any longer. Let's raise the horns high and welcome Nils Fjällström (AEON, SANCTIFICATION etc) to DARK FUNERAL! Since this guy totally dominate on drums, he will from now on go under the pseudonym 'Dominator.'"

Commented Dominator: "I am deeply honoured to play the music of DARK FUNERAL and inspired by the challenge! I would like to thank Lord Ahriman, Emperor Magus Caligula, Chaq Mol and B-Force for their confidence in me! Now I can't wait to hit the road and eventually start working on new material with the band! See you on the road!"