DORNENREICH recently signed a contract for further three albums with Prophecy Productions.
About the status quo of the working progress of the upcoming album "In Luft geritzt" ("Carved in air") Eviga and Inve write:
"For 'In Luft geritzt' we will be recording eleven tracks: ten tracks that will form the album, and one that will only be included as a bonus on the first edition. The writing process is nearly finished by now, and we will try to feature additional new songs in the set-list of concerts to come. We have also already gathered specific ideas for the artwork, and the lyrics are also coming forth, promising to be more concise than ever before. We will see... and this most probably in spring 2008."

WHITESNAKE/ex-DEEP PURPLE frontman David Coverdale has responded to a recent Glenn Hughes (ex-DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) interview in which Hughes indicated that Coverdale has shown interest in a reunion of DEEP PURPLE's Mark III lineup.

Said Coverdale: "As disappointed as some may be, I am disappointed to have to keep repeating this, I have not agreed in any way, shape or form, to a reformation of DEEP PURPLE Mark III, and my soul brother should be aware of that after our repeated conversations. Those of you who have followed and supported my for many years know how I feel about 'going back.' The only consideration, as I have said repeatedly in interviews, would be by willingness to be involved in a 'one-off' charity show which would feature all surviving members of DEEP PURPLE.

"As you all know who co-habit this little oasis of ours, I am entirely devoted to my band WHITESNAKE and have plans and ideas for the band that will take me as far as my rapidly maturing legs will allow and then some. I have nothing but the fondest and totally appreciative memories of my time spent with PURPLE and all the incredible adventures that continue to this day, related entirely to the opportunities I was given by the band. But, now it's WHITESNAKE time, as far as I am concerned, and I am dedicated to fulfilling all my hopes, wishes and dreams to ensuring quality work for all involved in the SNAKE, and, along with the time I need to be with my family at home. That pretty much fills my years in the most satisfying way. If indeed there is a reformation, then I wish them every success, and perhaps WHITESNAKE could 'special guest' them somewhere!"

The cover artwork for ICED EARTH's upcoming EP, "Overture of the Wicked", has been posted online at Icedearth.com. The art was created by Felipe Machado of Final Frontier Digital Art and Nathan Perry. Due on June 5 via SPV (one day earlier internationally), the CD will feature the following track listing:

01. Ten Thousand Strong
02. Prophecy
03. Birth of the Wicked
04. The Coming Curse

Regarding the songs that appear on the "Overture of the Wicked" EP, ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer recently stated, "First, the song 'Ten Thousand Strong' is the single track, and it will appear on [the upcoming full-length album] 'Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)', albeit a bit different than the single version. Second, the 'Something Wicked' trilogy that is comprised of the songs 'Prophecy', 'Birth of the Wicked', and 'The Coming Curse' has been completely re-recorded. From the ground up this is a more vicious and more atmospheric version of the epic piece. I played all of the guitar tracks with a baritone guitar and Brent [Smedley, drums] and I are locked up like a machine gun with the double kicks following many of the detailed picking patterns. This makes for a more intense- and wicked-sounding rhythm section. All of the vocals have been redone, obviously by Tim Owens, who did a masterful job at retaining the passion and honesty of the original, and still put his stamp on it and made it his own. We also put in some teaser atmospheric things that will give you a hint of things to come on Part 1. But just a hint... we don't want to spoil any surprises."

A video for the track "Ten Thousand Strong" will be filmed a video during the coming months, most likely in June right around the band's appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival.

Schaffer is currently putting the finishing touches on a two-part concept album based on the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" story that first appeared on ICED EARTH's 1998 album of the same name. "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)" will be released in late August/early September, to be followed by "Revelation Abomination Something Wicked (Part 2)" in February/March 2008.

"Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)" projected track listing:

01. Overture
02. Something Wicked (Part 1)
03. Invasion
04. Man's Motivation
05. The Setian Massacre
06. A Charge to Keep
07. Reflections
08. Ten Thousand Strong
09. Execution
10. Order of the Rose
11. The Clouding
12. Infiltrate and Assimilate
13. Retribution Through the Ages
14. Something Wicked (Part 2)
15. The Domino Decree
16. Framing Armageddon
17. When Stars Collide (Born is He)
18. The Awakening

"Revelation Abomination Something Wicked (Part 2)" projected track listing:

01. The Sacred Flames
02. Behold the Wicked Child
03. Minions of the Watch
04. A Gift or a Curse
05. I Walk Among You
06. Harbinger of Fate
07. Ancient Rage of the High Priest
08. A Gathering Threat / Time Marches On
09. Sacrificial Kingdoms
10. Something Wicked (Part 3)
11. Divide Devour
12. Conspiracy / Pilgrimage In Guile
13. Come What May

ICED EARTH has announced several European summer festival appearances beginning in early June. In addition, the band will support HEAVEN AND HELL on their U.K. tour in November.

German "dark Satanic metal" band MYSTIC CIRCLE has inked a new deal with Armageddon Music. The group is planning on entering Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany on October 1 with producer Andy Classen (DEW-SCENTED, CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT) to record its new album, tentatively due in January 2008.

MYSTIC CIRCLE's seventh full-length album, entitled "The Bloody Path of God", was released in February 2006 via Dockyard 1. The CD was recorded at State of the Arts studio in Ludwigshafen, Germany with producer Alex Koch and contains 13 songs, including a bonus cover version of CELTIC FROST's "Circle of the Tyrants".

According to Rolling Stone magazine (web site), OZZY OSBOURNE has set "Black Rain" as the title of his new solo album, due out early June.

The first single from the upcoming CD, "I Don't Want to Stop", will receive its online premiere on Friday, April 13. (To hear a clip of the single, click here.)

A number of other audio clips from "Black Rain" are available streaming at this location.

Among the eleven new tracks Osbourne has recorded is "Not Going Away", which Rolling Stone describes as "a fiery rocker with ominous riffs from guitarist Zakk Wylde," and "Lay Your World On Me", which was inspired by Ozzy's wife and manager's recent battle with cancer. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Countdown's Begun", "The Almighty Dollar", "Not Going Away" and "Civilize the Universe".

Spikefarm Records has set a June 6 release date for the Internet-only single from the Finnish hard-rockin' and turbo-lovin' quintet AMORAL, entitled "Leave Your Dead Behind". The bonus track for this release will be a cover of Swedish pop star PANDORA's song "The Naked Sun". AMORAL's back catalogue is also about to go digital: "Wound Creations" (2004) and "Decrowning" (2005) will both be released to digital music distributors on May 23.

AMORAL recently completed the recording of its third album, entitled "Reptile Ride". The CD will be released by Spikefarm Records on August 15.

"Reptile Ride" was produced, recorded and mixed by Janne Saksa at Sound Supreme Studios in Hämeenlinna, Finland. The track listing is as follows:

01. Leave Your Dead Behind
02. Nervasion
03. Hang Me High
04. Mute
05. Few and Far Between
06. Snake Skin Saddle
07. D-Drop Bop
08. Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fun
09. Pusher

San Diego wrecking crew AS I LAY DYING is rumored to have acquired the services of bassist Josh Gilbert as the replacement for the recently departed Clint Norris. Josh Gilbert, of Oceanside, CA, previously played guitar for ALL IN (Hand of Hope Records).

AS I LAY DYING has been laying low for the past few months, joining forces with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz (UNDEROATH, ALL THAT REMAINS, UNEARTH, EVERY TIME I DIE) to brew up a new album that will be ready by fall 2007. This highly anticipated third effort will be the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed, breakthrough CD, "Shadows are Security", which came out in 2005.

22-year-old Finnish heavy metal singer Ari Koivunen was crowned the winner of the the national TV talent show "Idols" Friday night (April 6) after singing four songs — including SCORPIONS' "Still Loving You", SOUNDGARDEN's "Black Hole Sun" and SONATA ARCTICA's "Full Moon" — during the competition's final. The performances — which were broadcast live on MTV3 from the Helsinki Ice Hall are available for viewing on YouTube:

SCORPIONS – "Still Loving You": Video
SOUNDGARDEN - "Black Hole Sun": Video
SONATA ARCTICA - "Full Moon": Video

Ari is from Lahti, the Finnish town that has given birth to such metal acts as PROFANE OMEN, BEFORE THE DAWN and ENTWINE. One of his hobbies is "Hevikaraoke" (Finnish "heavy metal" karaoke); in 2005 he won the Finnish karaoke championships. Among his favorite bands are IRON MAIDEN, RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, DIO, PROFANE OMEN and HELLOWEEN.

TWDSO (THOSE WE DON'T SPEAK OF), the new Swedish "supergroup" featuring platinum-selling (in Sweden) solo artist Sara Löfgren alongside members of BESEECH, NIGHTRAGE, SUNDOWN, CEMETARY and FATAL EMBRACE, has posted a new song, entitled "The Cradle", on its web site, www.twdso.com.

The members of TWDSO (photo) have an impressive track record that includes gold and platinum records, world tours and no less than 16 albums and seven singles. They have recorded their first songs together and have now begun negotiating with record labels for an album deal.

TWDSO is:

Sara Löfgren - Vocals
Chris Silver (SUNDOWN, CEMETARY) - Drums
Henric Carlsson (NIGHTRAGE) - Bass
Robert Vintervind (BESEECH) - Guitars
Manne Engstrom (SUNDOWN, BESEECH, CEMETARY 1213, FATAL EMBRACE) - Guitars

Swedish metallers THE DUSKFALL have issued the following update:

"We are extremely honored and excited!!! We will be featured in an action video game created for PS3 and Xbox 360, entitled 'The Darkness'. We have been choosen for a part in the game where the gamer can watch videos through a TV set. Our song 'Shoot It In' was choosen by Starbreeze, the Swedish gaming company that brought us the highly acclaimed 'The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay' game. More information on 'The Darkness' can be found by clicking [here]."

THE DUSKFALL has set "The Dying Wonders of the World" as the title of its fourth album, due later in the year via Nuclear Blast Records. The band entered the studio on April 1 to begin recording the follow-up to "Lifetime Supply of Guilt".

Doro Pesch has announced plans to record a new version of the WARLOCK classic "All We Are" with a backing band consisting of DESTRUCTION frontman Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, AFTER FOREVER guitarist Bas Maas and well-known session drummer Tim Husung. The CD, which will include other rare material and bonus video footage, will be released later in the year via AFM Records.

Pesch — along with Schirmer, Maas and Husun — performed "All We Are" live at a boxing match on March 30 between German female boxing champion (and Doro's close friend) Regina Halmich and German TV personality/comedian Stefan Raab. Doro played the track as Halmich's intro theme and the fight was broadcast live via German TV station Pro Sieben. Watch the performance online at YouTube.

Doro originally wrote and recorded the track "She's like Thunder" as a theme song for Halmich's fights. A new version of the song, re-titled "We're like Thunder", featuring Halmich, was released in September 2005 via AFM Records.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend has finalized the track listing for his next solo album, entitled "Ziltoid the Omniscient". 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 via Inside Out Music America, it will contain the following tracks:

01. By Your Command
02. Ziltoidia Attaxx!
03. Solar Winds
04. Hyperdrive
05. N9
06. Planet Smasher
07. Omnidimensional Creator
08. Color Your World
09. The Greys
10. Tall Latté

H.I.M. frontman Ville Valo recently spoke to Chris Harris of MTV.com about the group's new album, tentatively titled "Venus Doom", which they've been working on with producer Tim Palmer (DREDG, OZZY OSBOURNE) in Helsinki.

"There were too many things going on," Valo said of the band's previous release, 2005's gold-certfified "Dark Light". "['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."

Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Kiss of Dawn", "Love in Cold Blood", "Passion's Killing Floor" and "Dead Lovers Lane".

"Venus Doom" is scheduled for release on July 10.

The cover artwork for legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS' forthcoming album, "King of the Grey Islands", is available for viewing at this location. Due on June 22 through Nuclear Blast Records, the CD will feature the following track listing:

01. Prologue
02. Emperor of the Void
03. Devil Seed
04. Of Stars and Smoke
05. Demonia 6
06. Destroyer
07. Man of Shadows
08. Clearsight
09. The Opal City
10. Embracing the Styx

CANDLEMASS debuted the song "Demonia 6" live during the band's 20th-anniversary concert at Stockholm's Kolingsborg last Saturday (March 31)

THE HAUNTED's video for the song "The Drowning" has been posted online at this location. The track comes off the Swedish thrashers' dynamic new offering, "The Dead Eye", which sees the band effectively combine elements of their previous efforts while exploring new ideas to continuously challenge themselves. The new effort was recorded in Denmark at Antfarm Studios with renowned producer Tue Madsen (HIMSA, SICK OF IT ALL) and is being hailed as their most accomplished work yet.

Austrian extreme black/death metal outfit BELPHEGOR has issued the following update:

"BELPHEGOR needs a new drummer! ...again! The last one didn't work out when it came to worldwide touring, so we're still looking for a talented drummer, for somebody with a professional attitude and focus to be in the band for real. If you think you have a shot, send us a detailed message/photo/mp3 and hit us up at: belphegor@aon.at."

Commented vocalist/guitarist Helmuth: "First off, please realize that it will have no effect at all on our activities, touring and plans. The core is solid and ready to kick some serious ass. Of course it's irritating to always have new drummers, it's really hard to find dedicated musicians who are willing to work. It is and always was the masterplan of BELPHEGOR to grow as musicians and heighten the intensity/dynamics. Still, it doesn't affect our way of working, as Sigurd and me always were/are responsible for all the music, lyrics and concepts for BELPHEGOR. On the contrary, that allowed us to surpass BELPHEGOR every time — because of the fresh blood in the band, you know — through the hiring of better musicians. I always consider that as a challange to push the BELPHEGOR forward — stagnation means death!"

WINDS, the Norwegian band consisting of Lars E. Si (Eikind), Carl August Tidemann, Jan Axel von Blomberg (Hellhammer) and Andy Winter, will enter the studio on April 4 to put the finishing touches on its long-awaited fourth effort. The album was recorded over the past three years and is now ready to be mixed at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia. Helming the sessions will be engineer Shaun Thingvold, who has previously worked with such bands as FEAR FACTORY, PARADISE LOST, LAMB OF GOD, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND. The follow-up to 2004's "The Imaginary Direction of Time" will feature guest appearances by Dan Swanö, Agnete M. Kirkevaag, Lars A. Nedland and Oystein Moe, along with a classical string ensemble from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Graphic designer Travis Smith has completed the cover layout for the CD. A tentative fall release via The End Records is expected.

Italian folk/power metal band ELVENKING has finished recording its new album and is about to leave for Helsinki, Finland to begin the mixing the effort at Sonic Pump Studios. Due this fall via AFM Records, the CD will feature a guest appearance on two tracks by Swedish guitarist Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, FIREGOD, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA, CANDLEMASS).

Commented the band: "It's an honor to have Mike soloing on our songs. It's always amazing having one of your heroes playing in your album. And the leads he played are amazing — pure guitar art!"

ELVENKING released its third album, "The Winter Wake", in Europe in January 2006 via AFM Records. The CD was issued in the U.S. in March. The follow-up to 2004's "Wyrd" was recorded at Sherpa Studios (Italy), mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Nino Laurenne and was mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussilla.

Former ANGRA/SHAAMAN frontman André Matos has revealed more information about his upcoming debut solo album, due later in the year. The CD was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST) and Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY, FREEDOM CALL) between November 2006 and February 2007 at Ultra Sonica and Brainless Brothers Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany. According to a posting on Matos' MySpace page, the CD will feature nine brand new numbers plus "a new interpretation of an original song that's going to surprise the fans." A worlwide release is planned within the next five months.

Says Matos: "I can't wait. After so much work, it will be a great pleasure to hit the road again [in support of the upcoming album], bringing all those surprises along. Everything has a right timing and everyone's expectation will be fulfilled!"

SHAAMAN (formerly SHAMAN) — the Brazilian band featuring former ANGRA members Matos, Luis Mariutti (bass) and Ricardo Confessori (drums), — officially called it quits in October 2006. The break-up, which was long rumored, was attributed to personal and musical differences.

SHAAMAN released its sophomore album, "Reason", in May 2005 via AFM Records. The 10-song follow-up to 2002's "Ritual" was mixed and mastered at Heaven's Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth, who previously worked with such acts as KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY and FREEDOM CALL. A DVD, entitled "RituAlive", came out in 2003.

Finnish battle beasts TURISAS strike back with the frenetically awaited follow-up release to 2004's acclaimed debut "Battle Metal". Titled "The Varangian Way", this opulent and inspired masterpiece, which was recorded at Sound Supreme Studio and then mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studio (NIGHTWISH, H.I.M., APOCALYPTICA), transcends all sub-genres within the heavier metal worlds and unites each and all of their different elementary nuances into an experience unlike any other in a current scene of copycat bands.

Vocalist and producer Warlord explains the complex ideas behind this stunning new opus: "The album is based on a concept story which is fictional, but strongly tied to real historical persons and events. It's a journey of a group of Northmen, who travel down the East-European river route through the lands of modern day East Europe. This was an important trade route in the 9th-11th centuries and the Northmen going in this direction were called Varangians who took this route to Kiev and finally Constantinople. The album follows this journey and the songs are events that take place on the road. As much as it is a journey of these men, it is also a journey in a search for self and identity — something which the protagonist is going through throughout the story. The varying surroundings can clearly be heard on the album as it features a lot of influences from the different cultures and people our travellers would have encountered on their journey.

"Making this album was a very challenging task. I started developing the idea and framework for the concept soon after 'Battle Metal' was released in 2004 and it demanded a lot of groundwork and studying. The songs were written between mid-2005 and 2007 when it was clear what every song would be about. In the end of 2006 we were finally ready to enter Sound Supreme Studio together with co-producer Janne Saksa to record the album. It took over two and a half months of work to record the album and two weeks of mixing at Finnvox studio together with Teropekka Virtanen to finally finish the album in March 2007. The sound is big, pompous and orchestral, but also features a lot of progressive elements and ethnic influences. It's a daring blend of many different styles, but I'm confident that people are musically open minded enough to swallow this album. All in all I would say that it is a natural step forward from 'Battle Metal' to a more mature sound — still definitely TURISAS, but at the same time different."

"The Varangian Way" will hit stores in Europe in June and will contain the following new battle hymns:

01. To Holmgard And Beyond
02. A Portage To The Unknown
03. Cursed Be Iron
04. Fields Of Gold
05. In The Court Of Jarisleif
06. Five Hundred And One
07. The Dnieper Rapids
08. Miklagard Overture

Having converted many a fan to join their army during past appearances at renowned festivals like Wacken Open Air, Tuska, Earthshaker Fest, Party.San Open Air, Bloodstock, Nummirock and Summer Breeze, as well as an European tour with DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and more recently a sold-out U.K. tour with Finnish megastars LORDI, TURISAS are now launching their second and most striking attack with the release of "The Varangian Way" and they have subsequently confirmed slots at summer events like Graspop Metal Meeting, With Full Force, Rock Hard Festival, with plenty more relentless touring to come.