KATAKLYSM singer Maurizio Iacono has issued the following update:

"First off, I want to sincerely thank everyone involved with The Invaluable Darkness Tour we just completed with our friends DIMMU BORGIR. We would like to thank them for treating us like brothers and to all their crew for helping us out when we needed it. This new friendship is forged in blood! Thanks also to DEVILDRIVER whom we shared a bus with and developed a new friendship. Last but not least, the dudes in UNEARTH, all cool people. This tour was a triumph for us in all senses, especially to be able to play for our fans on a bigger package, who proved to us everyday that all the blood and sweat wasn't for nothing. The words of encouragement from our fans mean EVERYTHING.

"We're gonna finish writing a new album, titled 'Prevail', this summer, because we know how important this one will be for our fans, and 'prevail' is exactly what we want to do with this album. It has to be as perfect as we can make it. If it doesn't bring the goosebumps, it ain't coming out right. Guitarist J-F Dagenais will produce and engineer the album as always. In the meantime, we have two more tours planned this year: late summer or early fall in North America and in Europe in October with BEHEMOTH and ABORTED. A big thank you to all our supporters worldwide. We won't disappoint — you know how we roll!"

Seattle's HIMSA has completed the recording process for its highly anticipated Century Media Records debut. The group tracked the drums, bass and guitars with Steve Carter (who produced the "Courting Tragedy and Disaster" album), Devin Townsend (LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR) handled vocal duties and the renowned producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED) is currently mixing the disc. The album is set for a late August release. Click here to view a video of Devin Townsend and Johnny Pettibone tracking vocals, shot by King Of Hearts Productions.

Regarding the new material, bassist Derek Harn previously said, "The new album draws from the strengths of our last two records, 'Courting Tragedy and Disaster' and 'Hail Horror', but this is an entirely new chapter for HIMSA and our fans. Sammi Curr (guitars) wrote a lot of the music for 'Courting', and Kirby Johnson (guitars) wrote most of the tracks on 'Hail Horror' (when Sammi wasn't in the band), so the two of them have joined forces to craft a whole new level of rage. We're looking at about 10 or 11 songs right now, and are extremely proud of them.

"This album will be an evolution of everything people have grown to expect and respect from our enduring and grumpy metal band, with a few new twists. We're older, but we're wiser and faster than ever."

Supreme Music Creations will re-release the ZOSER MESS album "Vizier of Wasteland" in early June with improved artwork and previously unreleased tracks. The CD was a collaboration between MERCYFUL FATE guitarists Michael Denner and Hank Shermann.

Originally released in 1991 on Zoser Records, "Vizier of Wasteland" featured the following lineup:

Kenny Lübke - vocals
Hank Shermann - guitar
Michael Denner - guitar
Claus Weiergang – bass

"Vizier of Wasteland" original track listing:

01. Desert Of Deception
02. The Crimson Moon
03. Another Time
04. Wasteland
05. Mesmerization Eclipse
06. Street Heat Zoser
07. Sweet Tzantza
08. Elictizm
09. Desecration Of Souls

Australia's ALCHEMIST have recently completed work on their brand new full-length album "Tripsis".

"Tripsis", as described by ALCHEMIST guitarist, vocalist Adam Agius (the band is rounded out by guitarist Roy Torkington, drummer Rodney Holder, and bassist John Bray), is "The most consistently heavy album since 'Spartech' with all the ALCHEMIST trademarks — psychedelic, atmospheric, packed with crushing riffs intertwined guitar melodies and groove. 'Tripsis' is also the fastest album delivered by ALCHEMIST with a few songs taking the 'Surfthrash' sound to new heights."

Advance "Tripsis" songtitles include "Wrapped in Guilt", "Degenerative Breeding", "Grasp The Air", "Substance for Shadow", and "Tongues and Knifes". "Tripsis" will first see its Australian release in mid-July via Chatterbox Records, with its international release through Relapse in mid-September.

In other news, ALCHEMIST is set to tour Australia and New Zealand starting July 21 through late August in support of "Tripsis". The trek will launch with an appearance at the Abducted Festival in Brisbane with BLOOD DUSTER, EARTH, TERRORUST and more. A European tour will follow in October. That tour will kick off with a headlining performance at the ProgPower Europe festival in The Netherlands.

Garden Of Exile Records will release "Hope", the latest album by Finnish doomsters SWALLOW THE SUN, as a double LP. The vinyl release will contain an AMORPHIS cover as a bonus track, featuring a guest appearance by AMORPHIS vocalist Tomi Joutsen. Says the label: "You can expect some nice-colored heavyweight vinyl in a deluxe gatefold cover."

SWALLOW THE SUN's third album, "Hope" entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 3 back in February. The follow-up to 2005's "Ghosts of Loss" was recorded at Seawolf Studios in Helsinki and was mastered at Finnvox studios with Minerva Pappi. The LP features a vocal appearance by Jonas Renkse of KATATONIA on the song "The Justice of Suffering".

SWALLOW THE SUN's video for "Don't Fall Asleep (Horror Pt. 2)" can be found at YouTube. Produced by Medialouhos and directed by Antti Hyyrynen, the clip was shot in November 2006.

Video footage of AEROSMITH's press conference in Dubai has been posted at this location.

AEROSMITH's gig in Dubai, which is scheduled for tomorrow, marks the band's first time ever in the Middle East — then they move on to perform in India.

The band's lead singer, Steven Tyler, proudly revealed to Xpress that his son's got an Indian name while talking about "Taste of India", a track from their 1997 album "Nine Lives".

"We have never been to India but my son's name is Taj," he said. "I just called him Taj because I love the name."

The band's lead guitarist and contributing songwriter, Joe Perry, said: "We love hot food. Our music company is called Vindaloo Music. We have been fascinated by the Indian culture and food and all of that."

Swedish axeman Fredrik Åkesson (ARCH ENEMY, KRUX, TALISMAN) has commented on his new gig as the new guitarist in OPETH — a role he took on when Peter Lindgren recently stepped down from his guitar-wielding duties after 16 years in the band.

Åkesson said, "First I would like to say that I'm really exited and honored to join OPETH — amazing band and really cool people. I understand that Peter will be missed. He is a great guitar player and a very nice guy... It will be hard to fill his shoes but I will do my best and more.

"Great thanks to all OPETH fans for your welcome!!!! Looking forward to see you on the road..."

OPETH recorded its November 9, 2006 concert at the Roundhouse in London, England for an upcoming DVD. The disc will contain the show (filmed in HD), band interviews, fan interviews as well as photo galleries. A fall release is expected.

The special-edition deluxe version of OPETH's "Ghost Reveries" CD was released on October 31 via Roadrunner Records. Bonus material on the set includes the band's cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Soldier of Fortune", a 40-minute documentary about the making of the record complete with the band's own private tour footage, the video for "The Grand Conjuration", liner notes, photos, an enhanced 24-page booklet, deluxe sleeve, and 5.1 surround exclusive mix of the record made by original mixed/engineer Jens Bogren.

erman metal band DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER has announced a fan video contest for its upcoming DVD (projected release: January 2008). The group's fans are invited to make their own special clip. Just take your favorite song from the band, grab a camera (at least DV-Cam, resolution 720x576 px) and press the button. Clips should be no longer than five minutes. The band will choose their favorites and will put these clips on a fan video section on the DVD. The disc will also include two open-air shows, to be recorded this summer (Wacken Open Air and special old-school show at Party.San), plus a video band history, a rare video tour report of the band's Ukrainian/Russian train tour this January with live footage from their shows in Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg. An eight-minute trailer for the upcoming DVD is avaiable on the band's MySpace.

DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER entered the national album chart in its home country at position No. 31 with its latest effort, "Riders on the Storm".

LAMB OF GOD's Chris Adler has been named the #1 drummer in the "Metal" category in Modern Drummer magazine's 2007 Readers' Poll. The Readers' Poll results appear in the July 2007 issue of the magazine, available on newsstands now.

2007 Modern Drummer magazine readers' poll results in the "Metal" category:

01. Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD)
02. Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL)
03. Tomas Haake (MESHUGGAH)
04. Dave Lombardo (SLAYER)
05. Travis Smith (TRIVIUM)

LAMB OF GOD was nominated in the the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, which was held February 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

LAMB OF GOD's latest album, "Sacrament", has sold more than 200,000 copies in the United States since its August 21, 2006 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD was produced by Machine (CLUTCH, KING CRIMSON, PITCHSHIFTER, EIGHTEEN VISIONS, EVERY TIME I DIE).

Professionally filmed video footage of EVANESCENCE's May 28, 2007 performance at the Pinkpop festival in Holland has been posted at YouTube:

"Sweet Sacrifice": Video
"Going Under": Video
"Lithium": Video
"The Only One": Video
"Cloud Nine": Video
"Bring Me To Life": Video
"Haunted": Video
"Call Me When You're Sober": Video
"Whisper": Video
"Imaginary": Video
"All That I'm Living For": Video
"Lacrymosa": Video
"My Immortal": Video
"Your Star": Video

EVANESCENCE's current touring lineup includes new members Will Hunt (drums) and Troy McLawhorn (guitar) from DARK NEW DAY.

EVANESCENCE's European festival appearances will be followed by late June shows in Russia, Greece, Turkey and Israel. The band will return home to begin co-headlining the Family Values tour with KORN on July 20 in St. Louis.

Finnish black metallers CATAMENIA have uploaded the "Cataventures Part III" video clip, the most recent in a series of clip chronicling the band's adventures touring through Europe. You can check out all three parts on the group's official web site.

In other news, CATAMENIA has parted ways with drummer Veikko Jumisko due to "personal reasons." The band is currently seeking a replacement. Interested parties can contact the band at applications[at]catamenia.net.

CATAMENIA's latest album, "Location: COLD", was released last August via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Mastervox Studios by Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen. The cover artwork was created by Anthony Clarkson.

Italian "film-score metal" icons RHAPSODY OF FIRE (formerly RHAPSODY) will release their first-ever DVD, "Visions from the Enchanted Lands", on July 6 through MANOWAR's Magic Circle Music. The disc chronicles the 2005 tour and production for the albums "Symphony of Enchanted Lands, II" and "Triumph or Agony". Highlights of this double DVD are recordings from RHAPSODY OF FIRE's first tour through U.S. and Canada as well as their outstanding performance at the Eartshaker Fest 2005. Check out the cover artwork at here.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's latest album, "Triumph or Agony", was released in September 2006 via Magic Circle Music. According to a press release, the new CD sees the group continuing "to explore musical fantasy worlds with the precision musicianship and unique symphonic concepts that their fans have come to expect and adore. Fresh on the heels of the band's first live album release, 'Live In Canada 2005 - The Dark Secret', a new name and renewed vigor ensure that RHAPSODY OF FIRE still hold the passion and power that have always been associated with their music."

Metalhead Music Management and drummer Rico Banderra have parted ways with the solo project of former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley. According to a press release issued by Metalhead, the reason for the split is "personal differences between the management and Blaze Bayley as well as the Bermudez brothers [Nick and David, guitar and bass respectively]. Also there are differences in opinions and interests about how to work professional[ly] between Mr. Blaze Bayley as well as the Bermudez brothers and their now former management office. After Blaze Bayley and the Bermudez brothers fractured a few times their contracts, we are not willing to work with them in the future. We are so sorry for the fans."

Melbourne, Australia-based progressive power metallers EYEFEAR will release their new album, "A World Full of Grey", on June 22 in Germany, June 25 in the rest of Europe, and on July 17 in North America via Dockyard 1. The CD was recorded at keyboardist Sammy Giaccotto's studio Peak Time Productions in Melbourne, Australia and was mixed by Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) at Los Angered Studios in Sweden. Andy also played two guitar leads on the album.

"A World Full of Grey" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Searching for Forgiveness
02. A World Full of Grey
03. Changes
04. Lost Within
05. Moments
06. The Eyes Tell No Lies
07. Whispers of the Soul
08. Haunted Memories
09. Breathe Again
10. Searching for Forgiveness (radio edit)

For Japan/Asia, the radio edit of "Searching for Forgiveness" is replaced with the bonus song "Alone (Wasting Away)".

Check out audio samples at the band's MySpace page.

Finnish goth metallers H.I.M. have reportedly set September 4 as the new release date for their follow-up to 2005's "Dark Light", entitled "Venus Doom". The band's sixth studio CD was recorded at the Finnvox facility in Helsinki with producer Tim Palmer and was mixed in California.

H.I.M. frontman Ville Valo recently told MTV.com that "Venus Doom" is "going to be a lot heavier than anything we've done before — that's the whole idea. It's like we're mixing MY BLOODY VALENTINE's 'Loveless' with METALLICA's 'Master of Puppets'. ... There won't be as much ear candy on this one. There are a lot of riffs, and it's more guitar-oriented than keyboard-driven. Really, we just wanted to rock our own socks off.

"We wanted to make a really rockin' album — one that would explode your speakers," he added. "But we also wanted to maintain the melancholy aspects of love and loss in the lyrics and then have the really sweet vocals amidst this storm of guitars.

"Lyrically, it's about me losing a relationship and then actually regaining it, and losing my sanity and regaining it," Valo continued. "As you grow up, life gets more and more complex, even though when you're a kid you think things are going to get easier. It's like a f---ing puzzle that just keeps on having more and more pieces to it. It's very personal, this album. It's like me getting rid of my demons and putting the pain in the music. It's cathartic, and it's about cleansing yourself and trying to have the courage to take that one step further."

French gothic metal band PENUMBRA has posted three new songs on its MySpace page. Check out the tracks "Avalon", "Eerie Shelter" and "Charon" at this location.

Check out pictures from the studio by clicking here.

PENUMBRA last year announced the addition of female singer Asphodel to the group's ranks. "Asphodel's beautiful voice perfectly suits the new musical direction PENUMBRA has taken since 'Seclusion'," the band previously wrote on its web site.

PENUMBRA's "Seclusion" CD was released through the Season of Mist label.

TRELLDOM, the Norwegian band featuring GORGOROTH frontman Gaahl, has just released its third and long awaited full-length album, "Til Minne...", via Regain Records. The CD was produced by Pytten and TRELLDOM at Grieghallen Studios and comes with an elaborate 20-page booklet of outstanding imagery and lyrics. A vinyl version is also in the works.

"Til Minne..." (view cover here) track listing:

01. Til Minne...
02. Bortkomne Svar
03. Fra Mitt Gamle...
04. By My Will
05. Vinternatt
06. From This Past
07. Steg
08. Eg Reiste i Minnet...

TRELLDOM is:

Vocals: Gaahl
Guitars: Valgard
Bass: Sir
Drums: Are

Norwegian progressive metal band CIRCUS MAXIMUS has uploaded the cover artwork and audio sample from its upcoming sophomore album, "Isolate", due in Europe in August and a short time later in North America. The CD's lyrical concept deals with "how much you can lose until you go completely mad, and how much have lost when insanity finally embraces you," the group recently said. "It's really up to the listener (and reader ...) to intepret the story themselves, because it can be understood in different ways and we don't want to spoil the surprise."

"Isolate" (cover) track listing:

01. A Darkened Mind
02. Abyss
03. Wither
04. Sane No More
05. Arrival Of Love
06. Zero
07. Mouth Of Madness
08. From Childhood's Hour
09. Ultimate Sacrifice

CIRCUS MAXIMUS released its critically acclaimed debut album, "The First Chapter", in 2005 via Frontiers Records.

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has commented on his band's upcoming concerts as the support act for AEROSMITH.

"Anybody who can hold a guitar must be influenced by AEROSMITH and everybody who thinks he's a good frontman has to have seen Steven Tyler on stage at least once," Sammet said. "I was 18 when I saw them live and I remember I was impressed. And Jesus, now we're gonna be on the road with those guys! It's a real honor for us to be invited by a band of this scope and dimension. They are living legends, and to me, they have ten times bigger balls than most bands I've seen live. These nights will be elephant testicle-heavy rocking entertainment!"

EDGUY will be opening for AEROSMITH at the following shows:

June 10 - Butzbach, Germany - Hessentag Arena
June 12 - Karlsruhe, Germany - DM Arena
June 14 - Munich, Germany - Olympia Hall

ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott recently spoke to Decibel magazine about the recording process for the group's follow-up to 2005's "Doomsday Machine", due later in the year via Century Media Records.

Vocalist Angela Gossow has become one of the preeminent screamers in metal, and according to Amott, she intends to bring more of her formidable live present to the band's seventh album. "She's been working a lot on her voice and she's got some new deranged witch vocals; she's got some really intense stuff for the new album," Amott says. "On the last album, she double-tracked everything, but this time she wants to stay with the one single voice, and I think more of her personality will probably come out in the vocals."

The album has ARCH ENEMY reuniting with Fredrik Nordström, who last worked with the band on 2001's "Wages of Sin". "Fredrik produced that record and I think the material we have is a little bit more in that vein," Amott says. "It's more intense than what we've seen on the last couple of albums. We went back a little bit to what we did on 'Burning Bridges' and 'Wages of Sin', with more riffs, more melodies, a bit more stuff going on, more action-packed."

Belgian black metallers ENTHRONED have commenced the recordings for their new album, "Tetra Karcist", under the guidance of Harris Johns (SODOM, KREATOR, VOIVOD). Guest musicians on the CD include Ashmedi (MELECHESH), MkM (ANTAEUS), Verderf (ex-VERLOREN, OUROBOUROS), Harris Johns and Dungeon (ICONOCLASM).

ENTHRONED recently announced the return of drummer Alsvid for the recording sessions for "Tetra Karcist". The band also added bassist Phorgath, who "used to be [the] session guitar player [for ENTHRONED] after Nerath Daemon's departure and is the frontman of Belgian death/black metal band EMPTINESS," the group wrote in a statement. ENTHRONED also announced that guitarist Nornagest will take over the lead vocals in the group following the departure of frontman Sabathan last October.

ENTHRONED's last release was the "Black Goat Ritual" live album, which came out in 2005 via Napalm. The CD was recorded live in Porto Allegre, Brazil in 2004 and was produced and engineered by Treck and Dr. Feelgood.

According to Finland's MTV3, the new NIGHTWISH single "Eva" is currently under investigation by Teosto, the Finnish RIAA equivalent whose task it is to promote the rights of composers, lyricists, arrangers and music publishers, and to strengthen the diversity of Finnish composition. The chorus of the song is allegedly very similar to a track called "Whirlpool" by Jukka Reinivuo, a relatively unknown Finnish artist. In fact, the similarities are so great that allegations of plagiarism have already been thrown around.

NIGHTWISH keyboardist and composer Tuomas Holopainen has denied the accusation, saying that he just heard about this today (May 30) and that he has never heard the song or the artist in question. Holopainen went on to add that he was interested in hearing the track first before commenting further.

Listen to both songs on YouTube:

NIGHTWISH – "Eva": Audio
JUKKA "RAYSKA" REINIVUO – "Whirlpool": Audio

A video interview with new NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon (a.k.a. Anette Blyckert), conducted a couple of days ago by Finland's MTV3, has been posted at this location. The 35-year-old Swedish vocalist talks about the pressure of replacing Tarja Turunen, the change in her appearance since she joined NIGHTWISH and the possibility of the band recording a song in Swedish.

NIGHTWISH last week released three more samples from its forthcoming album, due in September. In addition to first single, "Eva", you can now check out short clips of the songs "7 Days to the Wolves", "Master Passion Greed" and "Amaranth":

OZZY OSBOURNE's new studio album, "Black Rain", has achieved the following chart positions around the world:

Norway: #2
Finland: #2
Sweden: #2
USA: #3 (#6 on digital albums chart)
Canada: #5
Czech Republic: #5
Japan: #6
Denmark: #6
Austria: #7
U.K.: #8
Germany: #9
New Zealand: #10

"Black Rain" sold 152,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release. This number is in line with the 153,000 first-week tally registered by 2001's "Down to Earth", which entered the Billboard chart at No. 4.