Swiss metal experimentalists SAMAEL have posted audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on the band's upcoming eighth album, "Solar Soul". Check them out at this location.

Due on June 1 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Solar Soul" features the following track listing:

01. Solar Soul
02. Promised Land
03. Slavocracy
04. Western Ground
05. On the Rise
06. Alliance
07. Suspended Time
08. Valkyries' New Ride
09. Ave!
10. Quasar Waves
11. Architect (bonus track)
12. Olympus

Finnish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have recruited 35-year-old Swedish singer Anette Blyckert (a.k.a. Anette Olzon) to replace Tarja Turunen. A photo of the new vocalist can be found here. A short video "greeting" from Anette is available for download at this location (MPEG, 5 MB).

Regarding her musical background, Anette said, "I was raised in a musical family and I've been singing since childhood. My mom also forced me to play the oboe for 8 years! I toured constantly with my mom and her band in my childhood, sometimes I even sang on stage with them.

"After I turned 13, I started competing in several talent shows. I joined my first real band when I was 17, it was a cover band and all the other musicians were older than me. After playing cover songs, I joined a band called ALYSON AVENUE, first just as a studio singer, later as their leading lady. We've released 2 albums since 2000.

"At the age of 21, I played the leading role in a rock opera/musical called 'Gränsland' in Helsingborg. After that I got in to the Balettakademien in Gothenburg. In addition to the already mentioned, I've been in several other bands over the years, I've sung in choirs, done studio work for various projects and I've even occasionally been a wedding singer. Recently I sang a duet with Michael Bormann (ex-JADED HEART singer) on his album 'Conspiracy'. During my singing career I've sung nearly every kind of music that there is!

"In my earlier days I took singing lessons at the Copenhagen Music Conservatorie, in Helsingör, Denmark with a private teacher. Nowadays, when its needed, I take lessons from a private teacher at the Malmö Music University."

Anette Blyckert promotional photos:

Photo#1

Photo#2

NIGHTWISH new promotional photos:

Photo#1

Photo#2

NIGHTWISH's new single, "Eva", will be released in Finland via NetAnttila on Friday, May 25. "Eva" will receive a Finnish radio premiere on Radio Rock and YleX Friday morning at 7:00 a.m.

Two short audio samples of "Eva" have been posted online: Sample#1, Sample#2. All profits from "Eva" (cover) will be donated to charity.

The sixth NIGHTWISH album will be released on September 26, preceded by a second, regular single release in August. NIGHTWISH leader Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards) recently told Finland's Soundi magazine that the group's upcoming album will include a 14-minute song entitled "The Poet and the Pendulum".

NIGHTWISH fired its original singer, Tarja Turunen, via an "open letter," which was given to the singer immediately following their final concert together, which took place on October 21, 2005 at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki, Finland. The Helsinki show was filmed and recorded for the "End of an Era" DVD and CD, which entered the German chart at a No. 3.

Check out Anette Blyckert's recordings with ALYSON AVENUE at this location.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's web site has been updated with the following message:

"We are nearly at the end of the month and Tarja already made demos for most of the songs of [the upcoming solo album] 'My Winter Storm'. The process took place in a recording studio in Argentina. Also in Buenos Aires, you can see Tarja starting a very different process… composing a song for her album. Tarja likes to refer to the song as 'Oasis'. A beautiful piano piece that found more inspiration few days later back in Finland. Tarja's next step will be to visit a new recording studio in Ibiza from where we'll post more news about the album, as the definitive recordings are about to start very soon. We are also preparing a blog that you will be able to access through a link in this web page. In the blog, Tarja, the producers and musicians will be telling you more details about the songs. You will be able to watch images and listen to some audio as well, so check www.tarjaturunen.com for more info in the following days."

Check out pictures from the recording studio at this location

Bassist Steve King has reportedly left legendary Australian rockers ROSE TATTOO in order to focus on other musical projects. A replacement bassist has not yet been announced.

ROSE TATTOO's new album, entitled "Blood Brothers", was released in February via Armageddon Music. The group's video for the track "Black Eyed Bruiser" can be viewed at YouTube.com. The song is the first single from "Blood Brothers", which was produced by veteran Australian producer Mark Opitz (INXS, COLD CHISEL, KISS). "Black Eyed Bruiser" was written by the band's original production team, Harry Vanda and George Young, who also were AC/DC's producers.

ROSE TATTOO will support GUNS N' ROSES on their Australian tour in June.

Due to a leak of the new NIGHTWISH single, "Eva", via an as-yet-undisclosed source in the United Kingdom, Finnish symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH will begin selling the Internet-only single "Eva" and reveal the name of the new singer earlier than previously planned.

"Eva" will be released in Finland via NetAnttila on Friday, May 25. "Eva" will receive a Finnish radio premiere on Radio Rock and YleX Friday morning at 7:00 a.m.

The identity of the new NIGHTWISH singer will be revealed on Thursday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. Finnish time. First the news will appear on www.nightwish.com and soon after Spinefarm Records will send a bulletin to all media.

A short audio sample of "Eva" has been posted online at this location. All profits from "Eva" (cover) will be donated to charity.

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KRYPTILLUSION, the new project formed by Fredrik Groth from the Swedish power/heavy metal act THE STORYTELLER, has posted two demo tracks on its official web site. Check out the songs "Frozen" and "Love Cuts Deep" at here.

According to Groth, KRYPTILLUSION is musically "pretty far" removed "from what I've done earlier," being "a melodic heavy/death metal band." The group's current lineup consists of Groth on guitars and bass, Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) on lead guitar, Stefan Westerberg (CARNAL FORGE, ASPERITY) on drums and Kristofer Nilsson (UNDIVINE) on vocals.

KRYPTILLUSION is currently seeking a record deal.

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:

"As the picture implies, things are indeed looking victorious! 'Fiction' has been out for a few weeks now, and as no one can have failed to notice, the response has been truly phenomenal.

"In all fairness, we're used to our albums receiving rave reviews from fans and critics alike, but the reactions to our new little baby have exceeded everything we've experienced before — a lot of people even have dubbed it our best album (at last we could dethrone the 12-year-old 'The Gallery' from that spot).

"Here in Sweden, the feedback has been nothing short of fantastic. #1 and #2 in the soundchecks of the two leading metal magazines (Sweden Rock and Close-Up) and great reviews in all the major newspapers and tabloids — not to mention good chart positions, healthy sales and a general thumbs-up from the metal community.

"Promotion activities have been manyfold and weird. Apart from the usual tons of interviews, Mikael [Stanne; vocals] and Martin [Brändström; electronics] recently graced the premises of MTV Nordic to appear in the morning show 'Mycket Mer Än Müsli', in which they discussed the new album as well as playing some poker.

"Gig-wise, we'll have our busiest summer ever, playing the three most prolific Swedish festivals (Hultsfred, Arvika and Sweden Rock) as well as heading out all over Europe. Touring plans for the autumn are starting to take shape, and as soon as we know anything definite, we'll let you in on the information."

"Fiction" sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH have revelaed the track listing and artwork for their new album, "The Apostasy", due on July 17 via Century Media Records. The group's most ambitious and epic offering yet, it was recorded in the band's hometown of Gdansk with the group's mainman Nergal and longtime sound engineer Malta in the producers' chairs. The effort was mixed with the acclaimed Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) at Dug-Out Studios in Sweden and mastered by Bjorn Engelmann (RAMMSTEIN, SAMAEL).

"The Apostasy" (view artwork at this location) track listing:

01. Rome 64 C.E
02. Slaying The Prophets Ov Isa
03. Prometherion
04. At The Left Hand Ov God
05. Kriegsphilosophie
06. Be Without Fear
07. Arcane Hereticae
08. Libertheme
09. Inner Sanctum
10. Pazuzu
11. Christgrinding Avenue

BEHEMOTH will return to the U.S. this summer on Ozzfest 2007, having landed the direct support, non-rotating slot right before second-stage headliners HATEBREED.

These Polish metal titans recently posted a new video clip on their official YouTube page, which documents their latest photo session.

BEHEMOTH became one of the most talked-about acts within the scene due to their vicious and unrelenting live performances on last year's Sounds of The Underground tour, which garnered them legions of devoted new fans. After a slew of major U.S. tours with the likes of such acts as DANZIG, MORBID ANGEL, CHIMAIRA and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, the group more than solidified themselves as one of the genre's most exciting new artists.

Former ELEGY/VENGEANCE singer Ian Parry has inked a deal with Metal Heaven for the release of the CONSORTIUM PROJECT IV album, entitled "Children of Tomorrow", tentatively due in July. Unlike Parry's previous CONSORTIUM PROJECT releases, "Children of Tomorrow" is said to be "a more diverse rock metal production with progressive elements reminiscent of his earlier productions." Parry spent more than a year on this epic production, writing, recording and mixing with former ELEGY bandmate/keyboard player Joshua Dutrieux. The songs were written as a collaboration between Parry, Dutrieux and the latest addition to the CONSORTIUM family, ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION drummer Ivar de Graaf.

Look for the CONSORTIUM PROJECT to hit the road later in 2007 as a prelude to an ELEGY reunion. More information will be made available soon.

CONSORTIUM PROJECT IV is:

Ian Parry - Vocals
Joshua Dutrieux - Keyboards
Ivar de Graaf - Drums
Henrik van der Laars - Guitar

Guest musicians:

Lou St. Paul (WINTER'S BANE) - Guitar
Rosita Abbink - Female Vocals
Erna auf der Haar - Female Vocals
Kyrah Dutrieux - Spoken Words
Judith Rijnveld - Femals Choirs
Niels Vejylt - Guitar
Marcel van der Zwam - Bass

Brazilian singer Renato Tribuzy has recorded a guest appearance on the "Soul Spell" metal opera project. The CD, which also features some of the best musicians on the Brazilian heavy metal scene — including Edu Falaschi (ANGRA), Leandro Caçoilo, Christian Passos, Mario Linhares, Nando Fernades, Iuri Sanson and Bruno Maia — is being produced by Tito Falaschi, Edu Falaschi's brother. Renato sang the part of Aquiles in the song called "Troy". He commented, "I really enjoyed being a part of this project. When I first heard the albums tracks I was surpised by the fantastic quality of the production, songs and musicians."

For more information, visit here

H.I.M. frontman Ville Valo has recorded a guest appearance on the debut album from Finnish singer Manna, who also happens to be H.I.M. guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindstrom's wife. The track "Just for Tonight" can be found on the "Sister" album, which was released on May 9 in Finland. The CD was produced and mixed by Kalle Gustafsson (THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES) at the Svenska Grammofonstudion.

To check out Manna's duet with Ville Valo, click here

"Sister" track listing:

01. Stars
02. Ending and Leaving
03. Eliza
04. Just For Tonight (feat. Ville Valo)
05. Lost
06. I Gave In
07. Sing For You
08. Sister
09. Black And Blue
10. In The Book Of Love
11. Can't Stop Me Now (available with iTunes version)

Due to technical reasons the two support acts in Moscow will be cancelled. There will be a very long change over between Therion and Blind Guardian, so Therion will be on stage earlier. Therion will be the first band.

Update: Therion will also play a heavily reduced set due to the promotor not delivering the stage as agreed. One of the main problems could have been fixed, but Blind Guardian would not allow Therion to use the drum riser. Therion now have to set up the drums in front, leaving only a 1.5m stage left in front of the drums.
The reason for Blind Guardian not allowing Therion to use the drum riser? It MIGHT make the drums sound a bit different in the monitors from the sound check, something that the audience would not notice.

Because this will release some time Pain might be performing after all.

According to a posting on the GUNS N' ROSES fan site Here Today… Gone To Hell!, GUNS N' ROSES' June 5 concert at the Palacio De Los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico is now sold out. Neither Ticketmaster nor the venue's box office have any tickets on sale at this point.

GUNS N' ROSES' 2007 world tour will begin on June 2 in Monterrey, Mexico.

As previously reported, a studio mix of another new GUNS N' ROSES song, "There Was a Time", was leaked on May 6, making it the fourth new GN'R track in two days to be released via the Internet ("The Blues", "Chinese Democracy" and "I.R.S." were leaked two days earlier). "There Was a Time" (also known as "T.W.A.T.") was played live only twice — at the first New York City warm-up show on May 12, 2006 and Madrid, Spain on May 25, 2006 — and was mentioned as one of GN'R singer Axl Rose's favorites in an interview he gave to Rolling Stone magazine in January 2006. All tracks are rumored to be set for inclusion on GUNS N' ROSES' upcoming album "Chinese Democracy". (NOTE: Please **DO NOT** post links to these audio files in the comments section or you will be permanently banned)

Longtime GUNS N' ROSES associate Del James revealed in a February 2007 online posting that "Chinese Democracy" was in the "mixing" stage.

GUNS N' ROSES' "Greatest Hits" collection, which was originally issued in March of 2004, was certified triple-platinum on April 11, 2006 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for shipments in excess of three million copies. The CD sold 8,000 copies in the United States last week alone (week ending May 13), bringing the total number of copies sold since its release to 3.58 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on May 10, veteran East Coast thrashers OVERKILL have now confirmed that they have signed with Bodog Music for the release of their follow-up to 2005's "ReliXIV", tentatively due in the fall. A U.S. tour will immediately follow the album's release.

Commented the band: "Well it's been a while since we finished Gigantour, just wanted to get you up to date. After lengthy negotiations, OVERKILL is very happy to announce we have just signed a new multi-album worldwide deal with Bodog Records. The signing reunites OVERKILL with Jonny and Marsha Z (Zazula) who formed and ran the legendary Megaforce Records for many years, and now run Bodog.

"Recording of the new album started last November at DD's [Verni, bass] studio (Gear Recording Studio) in New Jersey, and will have a early October 2007 release date. The band is mixing right now and is scheduled to finish July 1. Some new songtitles include 'Skull and Bones', 'Walk though Fire' and 'Hell Is'. Look for the guys back on the road in the fall with the new release."

Chrome Dreams has set a June 26 release date for QUEEN's "Collector's Box" DVD set. According to the official product description, "Collector's Box" is a two-DVD documentary set that "proves at length why this legendary group are still dearly loved by so many. This first disc tells the full story of the band and their entire career, pointing the cameras where they have never previously preyed. The second focuses on their music in the 1970s, with footage of classic songs and photographs even the most hardcore fan will be surprised to see. The list of exclusive commentators across both the films includes friends of the band such as Paul Gambaccini, Wayne Sleep and Peter Stringfellow, journalists such as Daryl Easlea and Nigel Williamson, and a host of others."

Swedish rap/metal combo CLAWFINGER will release its new album, "Life Will Kill You", on July 27 via Nuclear Blast Records.

On the topic of the new album's lyrical direction, frontman Zak Tell recently said, "Paedophilia, addiction, death, suicide bombers, self-esteem issues and misers are a few of the topics I've chosen to write about this time around. Not very uplifting stuff, I guess, but hey that's just me and it's not as if I actually plan it, it just happens, I promise! There are a few positive lyrics as well so it's not all gloom, doom and troubled thoughts. A majority of the tracks are though.

"Anyway, I guess there are a few different reasons as to why I chose to write about the stuff I do, the logical one being that the music we play is of a slightly aggressive nature and therefore inspires darker lyrics, although that's not entirely true as we also have softer and less serious songs and I sometimes also break free from the given formula. Most of the time I don't, though, out of fear of getting lost! The second reason is that it's simply my outlet for all the less pleasant things that go through my head. My everyday life is fairly normal and family-orientated so to get some sort of balance I use CLAWFINGER as my frustration ventilator or whatever you want to call it!

CLAWFINGER's last CD, entitled "Hate Yourself with Style", was released in the U.S. in February 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.

AFM Records has set a June 29 release date for the reissue of the debut album from German melodic metallers EVIDENCE ONE, entitled "Criticize the Truth". The new version of the CD will include the bonus track "Frozen in Time", recorded live at the Earthshaker Fest 2003.

EVIDENCE ONE recently posted an audio sample of the title track from its forthcoming album, "The Sky is the Limit", at this location.

The follow-up to 2004's "Tattooed Heart" (Nuclear Blast), "The Sky is the Limit" was written and produced by songwriter Robby Böbel, who quit his position as the group's guitarist but will continue to be involved with the band behind the scenes. A replacement axeman, Jörg "Warthy" Warthmann, has already been recruited. A video for the song "The Sky is the Limit" was recently filmed at the Rockfabrik Nuremberg with Maurice Swinkels (lead singer of Dutch metal band LEGION OF THE DAMNED) of Holland's Lowlife Media (MASTERPLAN, PRIMAL FEAR, EXODUS). The clip will be featured on the limited-edition version of "The Sky is the Limit", due on June 22 via AFM Records.

"The Sky is the Limit" track listing:

01. Can't Fight The Past
02. Gallery Of Broken Glass
03. Into The Depths Of My Soul
04. Mindmines
05. Mr. Madness
06. Propaganda
07. Raging Winds
08. Rain Road
09. The Luxury Of Losing Hope
10. The Sky Is The Limit
11. Won't Sleep Alone

A new ASTARTE (photo) track, entitled "Black at Heart", has been made available for streaming at this location. The song, which features a guest appearance by ARCH ENEMY frontwoman Angela Gossow, comes off the Greek female heavy metal trio's fifth album, "Demonized", which was released earlier in the year via Avantgarde Music. The CD was mixed at Tico Tico studios in Finland and features additional guest appearances on vocals by MAYHEM's Attila Csihar, GOD DETHRONED's Henri Sattler and LLOTH's Nicolas Sic Maiis.

Видео на композицию "Mutter Astarte" можно посмотреть здесь

Sublife Productions has uploaded a full track from the latest GREEN CARNATION DVD, "A Night Under the Dam". The song "Maybe?" (with a playing time of 6:28) can be viewed in its entirety online at YouTube.

"A Night Under the Dam" DVD is available through Plastic Head and The End Records.

GREEN CARNATION will be using the first half of 2007 to write new material for what bass player Stein Roger Sordal is confident will be the best album from the Norwegian outfit ever. The band, in which all of the members are songwriters, will be using a different strategy then previously when it comes to the writing proccess.

"The way we have worked in the past have worked out well for us, with the different members and songwriters doing their work at home before presenting finished songs for the rest of the guys," says Sordal. "This time around we want to take the time to work on things together at the rehearsal room. We feel that this could be a way to get the maximum out of each and every member of the band, and I'm confident it's going to be an exiting time ahead."

As a result of the writing process, GREEN CARNATION will not be playing live gigs until the end of June at the earliest.

Also on the GREEN CARNATION-related front, the band's bass maestro Stein Roger Sordal has finished recording his very first solo album, "In Fort Knox With a Penny". He is delighted with the outcome: "My plan is to release a solo album sometime in 2007," he writes on his MySpace page. "I'm currently recording the album and have a lot of great friends and musicians with me on this one. I've been recording albums the last ten years with different bands and projects, so I guess it was about time to do a solo album."