SCAR SYMMETRY guitarist Per Nilsson is featured on the new album from KAIPA, "Angling Feelings", due in May on InsideOut Music. KAIPA mastermind/keyboard player Hans Lundin and Per are old friends, having previously collaborated on the album "Hagen: Corridors of Time" in the late '90s.

Hans composed the songs on "Angling Feelings" with the help of other members Morgan Ågren (MATS & MORGAN, ZAPPA), Jonas Reingold (FLOWER KINGS, TANGENT), Per Nilsson (SCAR SYMMETRY), Patrik Lundström (RITUAL) and Aleena Gibson.

Hans describe the birth of this album: "During the summer of 2005 I worked with the KAIPA box and I didn't make any attempt to write new music.

"When I started to write the songs for this album in October 2005 I was afraid that I was totally out of ideas but the fact is it was like opening a magical box and in less than three months most of the songs for the new album were written.

"With this album I allowed the music to find its own direction and sometimes flow in very unexpected directions but also to be very simple when I felt it was necessary. I wanted to make a progressive music but not in the traditional way.

"When I listen to the final result I think the best description of the music on this album would be: progressive-fusion-folk-rock.

"The title track 'Angling Feelings' is inspired by Jan Ternald's original artwork for the album and as a fact I think during the whole writing process I tried to keep up this positive vibe I find in this artwork.

"This is probably the most joyful and relaxed recording session I've ever been involved in and I hope you can hear it in the final result."

"Angling Feelings" track listing:

01. Angling Feelings
02. The Glorious Silence Within
03. The Fleeting Existence of Time
04. Pulsation
05. Liquid Holes in the Sky
06. Solitary Pathway
07. Broken Chords
08. Path of Humbleness
09. Where's the Captain?
10. This Ship of Life

KAIPA consists of:

Hans Lundin: Electric, Acoustic and Virtual Keyboards, Vocals
Per Nilsson: Electric guitars
Morgan Ågren: Drums
Jonas Reingold: Electric basses
Patrik Lundström: Vocals
Aleena Gibson: Vocals

Release dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 18
Rest of Europe: May 21
North America: June 5

Portugal's Blitz magazine is reporting that the country's biggest metal export MOONSPELL was recently accused of promoting Satanism by a Polish sociologist by the name of Ryszard Nowak. According to the report, which first appeared in the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, Nowak — who is said to be a member of an anti-cult organization — held a press conference in which he accused MOONSPELL of being Satanic and claimed that the band's "scandalous" performances promote "hate, animal slaughter, devastation of the Christian church and propagation of death." A petition was also launched to persuade the mayor of Warsaw to stop MOONSPELL's performance in the city from going ahead.

MOONSPELL's latest CD, "Memorial", was recently certifield gold in the band's home country of Portugal for sales in excess of 10,000 copies. This is the first time a Portuguese metal band has ever received this award. The group was also named "Best Portuguese Act" at MTV's 13th annual Europe Music Awards, held on Nov. 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark. This is the first time ever a metal band has won that particular award in Europe.

"Memorial" was released in April 2006 via SPV Records. The CD was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, GRIP INC.).

Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER have parted ways with longtime drummer Fred Estby. "My decision to put my family in first hand makes it impossible to keep on touring and commit to the band full-time," Estby said in a statement. "I want to thank all the fans, friends, bands and all the other cool people I've met through the years and I wish DISMEMBER all the best in the future."

DISMEMBER is currently in the process of writing new material and "this sad loss will not interrupt any future plans in any way," the band writes on its web site. "The commitment to keep on playing is stronger than ever!"

DISMEMBER's latest album, "The God That Never Was", was released in February 2006 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Where Ironcrosses Grow" was once again produced by Estby at Sami Studio in Stockholm. The group's current lineup includes Matti Kärki (vocals), David Blomqvist (guitar), Martin Persson (guitar) and newcomer Tobias Christiansson on bass.

The final artwork for OZZY OSBOURNE's new album, "Black Rain", is available for viewing at this location.

"Black Rain" track listing:

01. Not Going Away
02. I Don't Wanna Stop
03. Black Rain
04. Lay Your World on Me
05. The Almighty Dollar
06. 11 Silver
07. Civilize the Universe
08. Here For You
09. Countdown's Begun
10. Trap Door

American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT have posted their video for the song "Ghost Opera" at this location. The track is the title cut off KAMELOT's new album, which is scheduled for release on the following dates: Germany: June 1; Europe: June 4; USA: June 5.

"Ghost Opera" will be KAMELOT's third release for SPV/Steamhammer Records. The CD was recorded and mixed at Gate Studios and Pathway Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Artwork was handled by Mattias Norén with contributions by Alexandra V. Bach, Liliana Sanchez and Derek Gores. A limited-edition digipack version of the CD will include the bonus cut "The Pendulous Fall" along with a bonus DVD containing the video for the album's title track, "Ghost Opera", shot by director Ivan Colic of Serbia's ICode team as well as the making of the "Ghost Opera" video. The limited edition will contain a special extended booklet as well.

DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess has issued the following update:

"I'm presently finishing up the keyboard tracks for [my new solo album] now. After that's all done, I will get the drums recorded followed by the guitar and vocals. Of course the bulk of the sounds will be generated by yours truly!

"As far as the content of the music goes, this is the story: I'm actually doing covers! I'm going back to some of my very favorite progressive rock songs and doing my own versions. In addition, I will throw in a very progressive new tune.

"Here are some highlights for ya:

ELP - 'Tarkus'
GENESIS - 'Dance On a Volcano'
GENTLE GIANT - 'Just the Same'
YES - 'Sound Chaser'

"That's not all of it, but a lot of it! Also gonna record my Steinway here at home and cover some other classics.

"If you saw me open for BLACKFIELD, you might have an idea of the flavor that I am talking about.

"As far as the guests go, I am not ready to announce them. Looks like things are lining up nicely though. I will let you know when it is all set.

"For the album cover, the great news is that it looks like David Mattingly (who did the cover of 'Feeding the Wheel') is lined up again.

"The album will be released on Magna Carta Records. I don't have a release date for you yet. Soon I will announce the title..."

Swedish metallers EVERGREY have officially parted ways with bassist Fredrik Larsson — only nine months after he was recruited as the replacement for Michael Håkansson. A replacement bassist has not yet been announced, but none of the band's upcoming live activiites are expected to be affected by this change. Larsson has since joined fellow Swedes HAMMERFALL.

EVERGREY recently began work on the follow-up to 2006's "Monday Morning Apocalypse", tentatively due later in the year. Guitarist/vocalist Tom S. Englund described the new material as "the heaviest and darkest we have released to date."

EVERGREY guitarist Henrik Danhage filled in for IN FLAMES guitarist Björn Gelotte on the latter band's U.S. tour at the end of 2006 due to the fact that Gelotte's wife was about to give birth to the couple's second child.

"Monday Morning Apocalypse" was recorded at Division One Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden by the experienced production team of Sanken Sandquist and Stefan Glaumann, who have previously worked with such artists as RAMMSTEIN, BON JOVI, BRITNEY SPEARS and DEF LEPPARD.

MY SHAMEFUL, the doom/death metal band with Finnish, German and American members, has parted ways with drummer Mark Napier. Replacing him in the group's lineup is Jürgen Fröhling of NEOCOSMIC. Jürgen's first gig with MY SHAMEFUL will take place at the Doom Shall Rise festival on April 27-28 the Chapel in Göppingen, Germany.

Originating as a two-person studio project in Finland (1999), MY SHAMEFUL has so far recorded three demos and three albums. The demos were recorded with Sami Rautio and Harri Jussila as participating members, and the albums with Sami Rautio as the only member. The band is currently based in Bavaria, Germany.

MY SHAMEFUL's last album, "The Return to Nothing", came out in 2006 via Firebox Records.

A full-length audio stream of OZZY OSBOURNE's new single, "I Don't Wanna Stop", is available at the following links:
Windows Media,
Quicktime,
Shockwave Flash.

"I Don't Wanna Stop" comes off Ozzy's new album, "Black Rain", due on May 22 via Epic Records. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Not Going Away", "Thank God For The Almighty Dollar", "Civilize The Universe", "Black Rain", "Countdown's Begun" and "Trap Door".

You can tell by looking at many of the song titles on "Black Rain" — Ozzy Osbourne's first album with new studio material in six years — that the rock legend took a good look at his own life and the world around him. He also salutes his fans—among the most devoted in the world — with such songs as "Here For You" and "Lay Your World On Me".

"Black Rain" finds the two-time Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee as vital, creative and evocative as ever. You also get the clear sense that he's operating at the peak of powers, as a singer and songwriter.

Ozzy co-produced the album with Kevin Churko and recorded it with his touring band: Zakk Wylde (guitar), Mike Bordin (drums) and Blasko (bass). Ozzy says that he felt a new freedom while recording the album at his home studio in Los Angeles. The result: songs that are not only hard-hitting but adventurously arranged and sonically fresh. Explains Ozzy, "It's a well-put together album. I think it's evident that it hasn't been just slapped out and put down. I took my time on the album and Zakk plays some amazing stuff as always". Ozzy feels "Black Rain" is the true follow-up to his classic "No More Tears", the 1991 album that also challenged the expectations of what an Ozzy Osbourne album should sound like.

Some of the songs on "Black Rain" are ominous in their emotional tone — they examine a world teeming with greed, war, deception, bad drugs ("11 Silver", about crystal meth) and environmental havoc. Ozzy also zooms in on the overriding sense of fear and dread that define our times — perpetrated, he feels, by news programs that make "entertainment" out of terrible news events.

Says Ozzy: "I just thought there's so much fucking bad news, the only way I can release it is to put it in a song". On the other hand, the new track "Civilize The Universe" offers a sense of hope, as Ozzy sings: "I'm alive/Watching better turn to worse/One more time/Try to civilize the universe".

Ozzy will support "Black Rain" with a world tour beginning in Moscow on May 27 which continues through July 6. Then starting July 12 in Seattle, he'll headline the 12th annual Ozzfest tour throughout America.

The pioneer and trendsetter has pulled the plug on ticket prices in America and given the power back to the fans, calling this summer's Ozzfest "FreeFest". That's right, this year's Ozzfest is entirely free for fans, an unprecedented move for an artist and tour of this stature.

Ozzy is being honored in May on VH1's "Rock Honors" telecast. He will perform three songs on the broadcast including a track from "Black Rain". Premiering on Thursday, May 24 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, "VH1 Rock Honors" will be taped at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 12.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend has posted three tracks from his next solo album, entitled "Ziltoid the Omniscient", at the project's MySpace page. Check out the songs "ZTO", "By Your Command" and "Hyperdrive" at this location. The CD, which will be released under the DEVIN TOWNSEND banner instead of THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND, was recorded completely by Devin, who took care of the singing, guitar, bass, synthesizers and sampling duties, in addition to mixing and producing the album on his own. Devin has stated on the HevyDevy forums that he used "the drumkit from Hell" on this release — the same kit that was previously utilized by MESHUGGAH on "Catch Thirty-Three" and which was developed by MESHUGGAH's Tomas Haake. Check out the cover artwork at this location (art created by Travis Smith).

Due on May 22 via Inside Out Music America, "Ziltoid the Omniscient" will contain the following tracks:

01. ZTO (1:17)
02. By Your Command (8:10)
03. Ziltoidia Attaxx! (3:43)
04. Solar Winds (9:47)
05. Hyperdrive (3:48)
06. N9 (5:31)
07. Planet Smasher (5:45)
08. Omnidimensional Creator (0:48)
09. Color Your World (9:45)
10. The Greys (4:15)
11. Tall Latté (1:03)

With regards to the album's storyline, Devin's wife Tracy stated in the latest HevyDevy newsletter, "The story as follows (without revealing too much): Ziltoid The Omniscient, a four-dimensional alien has come to earth and is currently hovering five miles above Qatar. Beaming messages to the earth, including video, music, and words, His Omniscient-ness has one dimension up on us humans, allowing him control over time. But, in order to bend time he requires the perfect fuel — BLACK COFFEE — found in abundance on only one planet in the omniverse... Earth. He plays guitar and sings, is moody and a bit sensitive, with his first record due in late June. Surrounded by nymphs and prancing plasma beings, the album was produced by Devin Townsend in the hangar of the Ziltoidian space barge. All hail Ziltoid and his Infinity metal! Prepare your finest brew! Ziltoid doesn't want to destroy the earth now...he just wants to be known as the best guitar player and get lots of chicks."

Devin and his wife Tracy welcomed their first child, a boy named Reyner, on October 4, 2006.

Danish metallers MERCENARY have posted their video for the song "My World Is Ending" at YouTube. The track comes off the group's latest CD, "The Hours That Remain", which came out last year via Century Media.

In other news, MERCENARY has issued the following update:

"All is well here at the MERCENARY camp as we're currently working hard to prepare our first-ever European headlining tour. Hell yeah, one week to go and the metal will flow! We're upgrading our gear, adjusting our set and just got some very cool stage props to spice up our show to bring our fans nothing short of our very best."

MERCENARY entered the national album chart in their home country at position No. 67 with their latest effort, "The Hours That Remain". The follow-up to 2004's "11 Dreams" was produced by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, COMMUNIC, MAROON, HATESPHERE) and features artwork by Travis Smith (DEATH, KATATONIA, OPETH). Guest musicians on the CD include SOILWORK's Björn "Speed" Strid and HEAVEN SHALL BURN's Marcus Bischoff.

MERCENARY's tour will kick off April 11 in Berlin.

PLANET STORM, the new project formed by the guitar duo of Ronny Blylod (DESTYNATION) and Johannes Forsberg (AMETHYST), has revealed the cover art and track listing for its upcoming EP, "Alone".

"Alone" EP track listing:

01. Beyond The Horizon
02. Alone
03. Universe
04. Alone (acoustic) (bonus track)

Check out the artwork at the band's MySpace page.

Launched in June 2006, PLANET STORM is said to be "a progressive and neo-classical band which will be fronted by two vocalists." Forsberg and Blylod co-write the music on the CD, while the vocals on this album are being handled by two of the best voices in the metal world, Anders Zackrisson (ex-NOCTURNAL RITES, GOTHAM CITY) and Ronny Hemlin (STEEL ATTACK).

According to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Tomi Putaansuu (a.k.a. Mr. Lordi; LORDI), Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT), Janne Joutsenniemi (SUBURBAN TRIBE), Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA) and Jarkko Ahola (TERÄSBETONI) are among the metal musicians who will contribute material to the upcoming debut album from the winner of the Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols", 22-year-old heavy metal singer Ari Koivunen. The CD will be produced by Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (45 DEGREE WOMAN) and is tentatively scheduled for release in Finland on June 6.

Kimmo Valtanen of SonyBMG told Helsingin Sanomat that the label recognized Ari's potential early on in the competition and that the company would have made an album with Ari even if he hadn't won the contest.

Audio samples of three more songs from the forthcoming SCORPIONS album, "Humanity - Hour 1", are now available. Due at the end of May, the CD was produced by James Michael and co-produced by songwriter/producer Desmond Child, who has worked with such high-profile pop/rock artists as AEROSMITH, BON JOVI, ALICE COOPER, KISS, RICKY MARTIN, CHER, MICHAEL BOLTON and BONNIE TYLER. The "Humanity - Hour 1" artwork has been posted online at this location.

"Humanity - Hour 1" track listing:

01. Hour I
02. The Game Of Life
03. We Were Born To Fly
04. The Future Never Dies
05. You're Lovin' Me To Death
06. 321
07. Love Will Keep Us Alive
08. Your Last Song
09. Love Is War
10. Rise Again
11.
The Cross
12. Humanity

SCORPIONS performed their new single, entitled "Humanity", on March 24 at a special concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of signing the Roman treaty, which became the basis for foundation of the European Union. Watch a video clip of SCORPIONS' performance at
YouTube

Long-running Frankfurt, Germany-based thrash metallers TANKARD recently entered Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany in with producer Andy Classen (DEW-SCENTED, CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT) to record new versions of their biggest "hits" — from "(Empty) Tankard" and "Chemical Invasion" to "The Morning After" and "Space Beer". The resulting collection, "Best Case Scenario: 25 Years In Beers", is scheduled for release on August 31 through AFM Records, with a special limited first edition set to include the bonus CD "A Tribute to Tankard", featuring cover versions of 18 TANKARD songs performed by such artists as SACRED STEEL, MANTICORA, ABANDONED, PARADOX, COURAGEOUS and SCORNAGE.

"Best Case Scenario: 25 Years In Beers" track listing:

01. Zombie Attack
02. Maniac Forces
03. (Empty) Tankard
04. Don't Panic
05. Chemical Invasion
06. The Morning After
07. Alien
08. 666 Packs
09. Beermuda
10. Space Beer
11. Medley (Alcohol, Puke, Mon Cheri, Wonderful Life)
12. Freibier
13. Nation Over Nation
14. Two-Faced
15. Minds On The Moon

"A Tribute to Tankard" bonus CD track listing:

01. ABANDONED - Face Of The Enemy
02. COURAGEOUS - The Morning After
03. DOPPELBOCK - Freibier für alle
04. FATAL EMBRACE - Acid Death
05. FKÜ - Space Beer
06. FREZEEBEE - Poison
07. HATEWORK - Live To Dive
08. HYADES - Alien
09. IRREVERENCE - Beermuda
10. MANTICORA - Total Addiction
11. ODIUM - Sunscars
12. PARADOX - Zombie Attack
13. PARAGON - Two-Faced
14. SACRED STEEL - Empty Tankard
15. SCORNAGE - Away
16. SOLICITUDE - Planetwide Suicide
17. TASTE OF DOOM - Rectifier
18. TORMENT - Chemical Invasion

GRAVE DIGGER guitarist Manni Schmidt has posted the following message on his web site:

"Time goes by fast… The tour [with THERION] is completed and on Tuesday we go to Russia to perform three shows — Ekaterienburg, Krasnodar and Moscow. The rest of the tour was as brilliant as the shows I reported on earlier. If I'd get into details I'd just repeat myself. And we already knew that Netherlands is no big market for GRAVE DIGGER — still we gave it everything!

"Right after the tour I went back to the studios to record guitars for a demo on a new project which under construction right now. I give you one word: 'Übergas!' More about that some time later…

"Few of you may have read it in the Rock Hard magazine — I use hearing aids by now. At the time I got them there was an article on the loudness of concerts in the Rock Hard magazine on which I reacted spontaneously with a reader's letter. The reactions on this — personally during the tour as well as in e mails — were consistently positive. There still seem to be people who think about it and take care of their ears as opposed to myself earlier. So folks — take care of your ears! When it's wasted it's too late! Hearing aids are only supportive on taking part in the daily life, they're not new ears!

"I'd like to thank the 'Wessling' corporation from Essen who support me with my problem and collaborate with me to get the best out of these little gadgets."

A lot of rumours have been going around after our gig in Melbourne. Simen opened the concert with the words "Welcome to the last Arcturus-show ever". This is a decision we made some time ago. We all have a lot of things going on in our carreers and our lives, and therefore can not find the time to continue working with this band.

We are humble and grateful to all the people that have supported and loved us over the years.

Regards,

Steinar Sverd Johnsen
Hellhammer
Simen Haestnes
Knut Magne Valle
Hugh Mingay
Tore Moren

Finland's TOTAL DEVASTATION has started writing material for its fourth album, which the group expects to begin recording later in the year. The band has launched an "album diary" documenting the entire process at this location

In other news, TOTAL DEVASTATION has posted a previously unreleased track from the "Reclusion" sessions, entitled "Deprecate", at this location.

TOTAL DEVASTATION released its third album, "Wreck", in continental Europe on September 25, 2006. The CD was issued in Finland on August 23. The 11-song follow-up to 2005's "Reclusion" was recorded at Supreme studio and was mixed by Janne Saksa.

Guitarist Thomas Youngblood of the American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT has issued the following update:

"We are back for a two-week recharge after our best European tour ever. Several sold-out and nearly sold-out venues from Holland to Serbia.

"The last show in Belgrade was a perfect way to end the first leg, 1000 screaming fans from Serbia and parts nearby singing all the song with us! ICode film crew was there to capture the evening on film and we are certainly glad they did. We will be back!!

"The day after the show in Belgrade we shot our third video for the new album, 'Ghost Opera'. The first video is now ready! We hope to debut the first one in the next few days through the official 'Ghost Opera' site.

"Some fans have asked about the Moscow date, it is officially May 11th, Friday.

"Gothenberg is next; we can't wait!"

KAMELOT will release its new album, "Ghost Opera" on the following dates: Germany: June 1; Europe: June 4; USA: June 5.

"Ghost Opera" will be KAMELOT's third release for SPV/Steamhammer Records.

"Ghost Opera" was recorded and mixed at Gate Studios and Pathway Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Artwork was handled by Mattias Norén with contributions by Alexandra V. Bach, Liliana Sanchez and Derek Gores. A limited-edition digipack version of the CD will include the bonus cut "The Pendulous Fall" along with a bonus DVD containing the video for the album's title track, "Ghost Opera", shot by director Ivan Colic of Serbia's ICode team as well as the making of the "Ghost Opera" video. The limited edition will contain a special extended booklet as well.

KAMELOT's current lineup is as follows:

Khan - Vocals
Thomas Youngblood - Guitars
Glenn Barry - Bass
Oliver Palotai – Keys
Casey Grillo - Drums

Frontman Mille Petrozza of German thrash metal pioneers KREATOR has issued the following update:

"The KREATOR / CELTIC FROST European tour is now history and I'm still overwhelmed by the impressions of the last few weeks. This tour was historical to us and it was an honour for the whole band to finally have toured with the mighty FROST again! We've had a great time with the boys and it felt like in the early days, just better! Also it was really cool to tour with LEGION OF THE DAMNED and WATAIN (sorry for the fucked up curfew situation in some places!) and got to meet Maurice and Eric and the rest of the guys — great fun! Looking forward to Greece, Serbia and, of course, the festivals in the summer, where we'll present the multimedia stageshow on the huge outdoor stages across Europe! Another U.S. tour is in the making and yes — we are working on new stuff! But for now I want to thank all the KREATOR-heads that came out to celebrate our sounds of terror with us! You people just fucking rule!!!!"

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has posted the following message on her web site:

"With renewed energy after some holidays I am 100 % working in the new album at the moment.

"I have now a very difficult task ahead: to decide only a bunch of songs that will make it to the final album. With so many excellent songs I have to choose from, it won't be so easy. Maybe we should consider doing a double album…

"As I already started to do last year, I am now making more demos to see how I feel with the songs and how the songs fit with me. Some of them make me chills already even though we are still very far away from the sound we are looking for the album!

"In May I will start recording some definitive vocals. All the people involved, producers, musicians, programmers and choir and orchestra arrangers are very excited and overloaded with things to do!

"We are all working without hurry, but at the same time, without breaks. Is amazing to see how the songs are coming alive in ways that I haven't experienced before.

"I wanted to contact you now to inform the working title of my album.

"I hope you'll find it nice and that it will help you to generate some images in your minds of what will come.

"It has a very deep and dear meaning to me that I will explain to you all a bit later.
As well, as soon as I have more information to give to you, I'll write it here in my web page.

"The album will be called: 'My Winter Storm'."

Swedish melodic metal outfit NOCTURNAL RITES has posted its brand-new song "Never Again" at the band's MySpace. The video for "Never Again", which was directed by the band's drummer Owe Lingvall of Village Road Films (WOLF, CARNAL FORGE, MORGANA LEFAY), is available for viewing at Youtube.

"Never Again" comes off the group's upcoming album, "The 8th Sin", which was produced by the band themselves, co-produced by Shep and mixed by Mattias Eklund and NOCTURNAL RITES at Toontrack Music in Umeå, Sweden. The cover artwork for the CD was created by renowned artist Axel Herrmann, who previously worked with ICED EARTH, DREAM EVIL, UNLEASHED, EDGUY, SODOM and many more. According to a press release, "The 8th Sin" offers "a slightly more modern sound with harsh riffs, huge choruses and the band's classic guitar extravaganza. But don't be afraid of any bad surprises, the new album is 110% NOCTURNAL RITES from start to finish!"

Italian symphonic power metallers SKYLARK will release their new album, entitled "Divine Gates Part 3: The Last Gate", on May 23 in Japan via Soundholic. A European release date via Underground Symphony has yet to be confirmed. The track listing is as follows:

01. Intro
02. The Scream
03. Soul Of The Warrior
04. Dying Inside
05. Hurricane
06. Believe In Love
07. All Is Wrong
08. Time
09. The Heaven Church
10. A Story Not To Tell
11. Mt. Fuji (version 2006)

Check out the cover artwork at this location.

SKYLARK in 2005 issued a compilation, entitled "In the Heart of the Princess", through Scarlet Records. Conceived to celebrate the band's 10-year anniversary, this double "best of" included all the major SKYLARK hits chosen by Japanese fans after a web poll.

U.D.O., the band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, has just finished filming a video for the new single, "The Wrong Side of Midnight". According to a press release, the clip was filmed in a closed tunnel section near Stuttgart which was built during the second world war. Dirkschneider was reportedly attacked by a flock of bats during the shoot. The video's storyline: A man that was kept imprisoned and used for horrible experiments for several decades mutates into a creepy monster before escaping and subjecting the general population to some of the same atrocities that he underwent during his confinement.

Check out a photo from the video shoot at this location