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 He has since been replaced by Jean Dolabella (ex-UDORA).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!"

Drummer Dirk Verbeuren of the French metal band SCARVE has issued a statement reassuring fans that the group will not split up following the recent departure of vocalist Pierrick Valence.

As previously reported, Valence left SCARVE to focus on his other band PHAZM.

In an interview with Hard Rock magazine published this past winter, Pierrick indicated that PHAZM became his priority when SCARVE faced various obstacles over the course of the past couple of years, including other vocalist Guillaume Bideau's departure for MNEMIC and drummer Dirk Verbeuren's commitment to SOILWORK.

Commented Verbeuren: "In regards to the recent news about Pierrick's departure, I'd like to reassure our fans: SCARVE is still alive and a stronger creative force than ever! We will actively pursue promoting 'The Undercurrent', and our upcoming shows at France's Hellfest and Belgium's Graspop festivals are maintained. A new vocalist will be announced soon. This is a rebirth for SCARVE!!!"

SCARVE will reportedly recruit only one singer to replace both Valence and Bideau (as former DARKANE singer Lawrence Mackrory did on the song "Rebirth", on SCARVE's latest CD, "The Undercurrent").

Released in April through Listenable Records, "The Undercurrent" was recorded in part at the Dug-Out facility in Uppsala, Sweden with renowned Swedish producer Daniel Bergstrand, whose previous credits include MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and STUCK MOJO.

NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) legends BLITZKRIEG have finalized the track listing for their new album, entitled "Theatre of the Damned" (cover), due on August 10 via Germany's Armageddon Music. The CD was recorded at Absurd Studio in Hamburg with producer Schrödey and co-producer Biff Byford (SAXON). According to a posting on the Armageddon web site, "Theatre of the Damned" "offers the same authentic heavy metal of the '80s along with a super freshness and total attitude."

"Theatre of the Damned" track listing:

01. Theatre of the Damned (4:22)
02. The Phantom (4:43)
03. Devil's Spawn (4:14)
04. My Life is my Own (5:06)
05. Spirit of the Legend (5:35)
06. The Passing (0:54)
07. Into the Light (6:18)
08. Tortured Souls (4:23)
09. Together We are Strong (4:33)
10. Night Stalker (4:50)
11. Bonus Audio: Armageddon (6:25)
12. Bonus Audio: Blitzkrieg (3:43)
13. Bonus Video: Escape from the Village.mpg
14. Bonus Video: I'm Not Insane.mpg
15. Bonus Video: iPod - Escape from the Village.mp4
16. Bonus Video: iPod – I'm Not Insane.mp4

BLITZKRIEG's most recent album, "Sins and Greed", was released in July 2005 via Metal Nation Records.

Reactivated Dutch metallers GOREFEST have posted the cover artwork for their new album, "Rise to Ruin", at this location. The artwork was designed by British artist Rob "Mid" Middleton. Due in the U.S. on August 28 via Nuclear Blast Records (August 3 in Europe), the CD was mixed by Danish producer Tue Madsen at his Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark. "He managed to make everything sound even heavier than we'd imagined," guitarist Frank Harthoorn previously said.

"Rise to Ruin" track listing:

01. Revolt
02. Rise To Ruin
03. The War On Stupidity
04. A Question Of Terror
05. Babylon's Whores
06. Speak When Spoken To
07. A Grim Charade
08. Murder Brigade
09. The End Of It All

GOREFEST's last CD, "La Muerte", was released in October 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records.

A tribute album dedicated to the Finnish "funeral doom" band SKEPTICISM, entitled "Entering the Levitation: a Tribute to Skepticism", has just been released via Red Stream and Oak Knoll. The track listing for the set is as follows:

CD1:

01. NEST - The Gallant Crow (13:49)
02. SHROUD OF BEREAVEMENT - Forge (7:36)
03. SHAPE OF DESPAIR - Aether (8:46)
04. WHY ANGELS FALL - Shroud of Light, Pinch of Endless (9:14)
05. CORPUS OMNI DOMINI - The Rising of the Flames (9:53)
06. OKTOR - The Organium (7:30)

CD2:

01. AARNI - Untitled (7:38)
02. MONOLITHE - Edges (6:44)
03. CALMSITE - Towards My End (5:01)
04. RIGOR SARDONICOUS - Chorale (7:08)
05. DARKFLIGHT - The Raven and the Backward Funeral (6:54)
06. IT WILL COME - The Falls (10.36)

Total running time: 100:49 minutes

A brand new H.I.M. track, entitled "Passion's Killing Floor", will be included on the soundtrack album to Michael Bay's "Transformers", due on July 3 via Warner Bros. The disc will feature a total of 12 tracks, nine of which are brand new and exclusive to the soundtrack.

"Transformers - Music from the Motion Picture" track listing:

01. LINKIN PARK - "What I've Done"
02. SMASHING PUMPKINS - "Doomsday Clock"
03. DISTURBED - "This Moment"
04. GOO GOO DOLLS - "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)"
05. THE USED - "Pretty Handsome Awkward"
06. H.I.M. - "Passion's Killing Floor"
07. TAKING BACK SUNDAY - "What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost?"
08. STYLES OF BEYOND - "Second To None"
09. ARMOR FOR SLEEP - "End Of The World"
10. IDIOT PILOT - "Retina and the Sky"
11. JULIEN-K - "Technical Difficulties"
12. MUTEMATH - "Transformers Theme"

Legendary ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann makes a guest appearance in the track "Who The Hell Are You" on the new album from German female-fronted rockers SKEW SISKIN, entitled "Peace Breaker". The CD is scheduled for release via the Internet on May 22.

Commented SKEW SISKIN singer Nina C. Alice: "We've recorded a great song from Ivan Kral, with lyrics written by his wife Cindy Hudson (who's a great light designer, too), adding a 'THE STOOGES' feel! Ivan was a band member of singer Patti Smith, guitarist for the one and only Iggy Pop, and he's also a truly blessed songwriter!

"The name 'Peace Breaker' fits just too well with what's going on our planet these days. Though it's not a pure political CD, of course, it boldly tells everyone who wants to know and those who don't wanna know (but still oughta know!), what's on my mind about the mistreatment of people and all those psychopaths shooting around in real life as if in a video game. Besides all those infuriating stories about the tough reality on earth, I have again written lyrics about bold rocker feelings, like always, in my very own Ninalicious style with the help of Lemmy as my wonderful work-checker + sentence-contributor + one of the best lyric writer of all times (in my eyes) and my personal lyrics co-writer + one of my rare friends (sending kisses his way!)! 'We're so bad baby, we don't care!'

"Of course, the title 'Peace Breaker' also depicts the vibes given off by SKEW SISKIN — uneasy for certain individuals because we're not those perfect, happy-smiling people serving the trendies with their visions, nor are we ass-kissers to people who think they're better. We're evil kids who'll keep making a lot of noise for other loud, mean kids (until we diiieeee!), and those who know us will always understand, we're having a lot of fun being the way we are. Keep it REAL and I am sorry to announce: reality bites and it's ugly...muhhaha, but rock 'n' roll is gonna save yer ass, baby."

"Peace Breaker" track listing:

01. Metal In Your Face
02. We're An Institution
03. Ridin' With The Devil
04. Trouble Shooter
05. Hit You Harder
06. Who The Hell Are You (feat. Wolf Hoffmann)
07. War, Fire, Guns & Blood
08. I Wanna Be Me
09. Eva Braun Is Back In Town
10. I Don't Care (feat. Ivan Kral)
11. Loser
12. Can't Hear You
13. Shoot The Rats

Check out the song "Metal In Your Face" at the band's MySpace

SKEW SISKIN's last CD, "Album of the Year", was released in November 2003 through ulfTone Music.

Finnish "progressive death" metallers ELENIUM, whose lined up includes current OMNIUM GATHERUM vocalist Jukka Pelkonen (a.k.a. "J"), have parted ways with guitarists Kasperi Heikkinen and Tommi Leinonen. "Kasperi has decided to concentrate on his own band MERGING FLARE and his other projects," the band writes on its web site. "His true passion is to play heavy metal with the strong '80s vibe. We appreciate his ambitions and honesty. A band needs to have everyones 100% dedication to work. Tommi will concentrate on other things in life after some eight years of ELE-life. He just lost the motivation in touring and rehearsing since it's not all that glamorous as they tell in the TV. Tommi already took some time off from playing live last spring/summer. His duties were well handled by a guy called Ville Leppänen from DISORDEAD. There are no hard feelings involved and we're all still good friends. Of course we're sad to lose two great musicians and friends from our crew but we are also looking forward anxiously for yet another new beginning. It's not the first time we're going through some lineup changes and each time we've come back stronger. We have already alot of ideas for our next release and we're also booking shows for autumn/winter 2007. It's already been confirmed we'll do a mini-tour in Finland with KALMAH in December."

ELENIUM's second album, "Caught in a Wheel", was released earlier in the year via the new Finnish label Kampas Records. Two songs from the CD — "Human" and the title track — are available for listening on the group's Myspace page.

ELENIUM's full-length debut, "For Giving - For Getting", was released in 2003 through England's Rage Of Achilles Records.

Songwriter, guitarist and producer Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) has signed a worldwide (excluding Canada) publishing contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. The deal covers ANNIHILATOR's new CD "Metal", the band's previous eight studio CDs (including "King of the Kill", "Carnival Diablos" and "Schizo Deluxe") and future ANNIHILATOR recordings.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing is one of the world's largest music publishing companies. The company was formed through the 1995 merger of the Sony Corporation of America's music publishing business with ATV Music, which Michael Jackson had purchased in 1985 for $47 million. Among Sony/ATV's most valuable holdings is the Northern Songs catalogue, consisting of 180 songs written by THE BEATLES (mostly by Lennon-McCartney).

British black metal pioneers VENOM are preparing for their Scandinavian tour, which is scheduled to kick off May 23 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Opening acts on the trek will definitely be Scandinavian bands, according to frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant.

"I asked our agents in Scandinavia to select some local talent to open the shows," he explained. "There's certainly no shortage of metal bands over there, so I've chosen a few that I thought would be ideal, but I've left the final decision to the agency".

Although there has been no official announcement on the matter, several web sites and ticketing agencies are reporting that Swedish cult act NIFELHEIM will provide support on several of the dates.

VENOM and its management are currently discussing other live plans with their agents for later this year. An American tour and some dates in Australia are on the cards, and there is talk of some shows in Japan and across Europe.

The recording schedule for the new VENOM album is well underway. The band has already laid the majority of the backing tracks and "everyone is very excited by the results," according to a posting on the band's web site. "It's a very dark-sounding album following on in the footsteps of last year's release, 'Metal Black'."

Mnemosyne Productions has announced a brand new musical collaboration between EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn, Starofash (a.k.a. Ihsahn's wife Heidi S. Tveitan, a.k.a. Ihriel) and one of Norway's most well known folk musicians, Knut Buen. The project is called HARDINGROCK and the album is titled "Grimen".

According to a press release, "Grimen" presents folk tunes on the Norwegian national instrument, harding fiddle, text and melodies based on Norwegian mythical tradition, arranged and recomposed in modern form with influences from heavy metal and classical inspired electronica. It is said to be an experimental project where folk tunes are thematically broken down and expressed in a new rhythmic and harmonic form with guitars, piano, keyboards, percussion, recitation and song.

"It has been a great experience to work with such a fine musician as Knut Buen," says Tveitan. "The process has been challenging in terms of us having to work within the tonality of Norwegian folk music, and to make non-rhythmic music into 'rock 'n' roll rhythms.'"

"Even though the elements the three of us brought to the table were very contrasting, I think we're all very pleased with how it came together," says Ihsahn. "The material provided to us by Knut is a huge part of Norway's cultural treasure, and I think the album definitely is a worthy development that rocks!"

This album is set for release on June 11 via Nyrenning Forlag, and is distributed by Musikkoperatørene AS.

For more information, including audio samples, go to this location

British author Joel McIver has revealed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET that he is currently writing the world's first biography of American thrash titans SLAYER.

McIver, the author of the best-selling 2004 biography "Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica" and the recent BLACK SABBATH book "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (hailed by the Telegraph as "excellent" and the Sun as "brilliant") said, "An all-encompassing biography of SLAYER is long overdue. With their profile at an all-time high thanks to their recent Grammy win and a run of critically acclaimed DVDs and albums, there's never been a better time to tell their shocking story in full detail."

The author, who has interviewed members of SLAYER on several occasions in recent years, as well as dozens of musicians and industry personnel crucial to the band’s career, added, "Whether you're a fan of the classic early SLAYER albums or their later, equally vicious material, this book is for you. I've unearthed a ton of previously unheard stories from people close to the band and examined phenomena such as the enduring legend of 'Reign in Blood' in enormous detail. You won't be disappointed."

The book, tentatively titled "Slayer: The Bloody Reign of the Planet's Heaviest Band", will be published in hardback and softback with an extensive picture section and will be available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. The publisher is Omnibus Press, the largest specialist in rock biographies in the world, which will be distributing the book in all territories.