The cover artwork for the new THE 69 EYES album, "Angels", has been posted online at this location. Due in Finland on March 5 via Virgin/EMI, the CD was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa and Johnny Lee Michaels — the same team that was responsible for 2004's "Devils". The video for the album's first single, "Perfect Skin", was directed by Ralf Strathmann and was filmed in Hollywood in mid-October 2006. You can watch the clip here. The additional tracks on the single are live versions of "Devils", "Christina Death" and "I Just Want to Have Something to Do" (originally by THE RAMONES) recorded at Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood in March 2006.

"Angels" track listing:

01. Angels M
02. Never Say Die
03. Rocker
04. Ghost
05. Perfect Skin
06. Wings & Hearts
07. Star Of Fate
08. Los Angeles
09. In My Name
10. Shadow Of Your Love
11. Frankenhooker

The limited edition of "Angels" will include a bonus DVD containing the "Perfect Skin" video, a five-song live set from Hollywood’s Whisky a Go-Go in 2006 and "On The Route 69", a short film based on Ville Juurikkala's photos.

NIGHTWISH will release a new single, entitled "Eva", on May 30. "Eva" will be an Internet-only single release, all profits from which shall be donated to a charity that will be announced later. In Finland, the single will be available exclusively from NetAnttila.

"Eva" will feature the new NIGHTWISH vocalist, chosen from about 2,000 applicants. The singer's identity will be revealed simultaneously in a press statement and on the band's website, www.nightwish.com, on Wednesday, May 30. A radio promo of the Internet single will ship on the same day.

The sixth NIGHTWISH album will be released on September 26, preceded by a second, regular single release in August.

Dutch rock band THE GATHERING were honored in two categories at the annual NightLiveXS Awards, held Sunday, February 11, 2007 at Club Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Drummer Hans Rutten provides an update on the awards show and the band's current activities for 2007: "We just won two awards at this year's NightLiveXS awards. We won both the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Best Dutch Live Band Award 2006-2007. This is something great and we had a very nice evening at the show."

Continues Rutten: "In other news, we are currently working on a DVD release, which we shall recorded in Santiago, Chile on March 24th, 2007 at the 4,000-capacity theatre Teatro Caupolicán. It will be a heavy, rock-orientated DVD called 'A Noise Severe', a sort of the 'Yang' from 'A Sound Relief' (which was the 'Ying') What a spiritual nonsense!

"We will also start working on a new CD this spring and hopefully we will release it somewhere in 2008. We keep on touring and promoting our latest album 'Home' in 2007. We're a busy band!"

CHILDREN OF BODOM was honored with the "Band of the Year" award at the Finnish Metal Awards, which were held Friday night (February 16) during the Finnish Metal Expo at the Cable Factory in Helsinki, Finland. Members of the Finnish metal media pre-selected the candidates and the people cast their votes to select the winners, which were as follows:

Album of the Year: MOKOMA - Kuoleman Laulukunnaat
Band of the Year: CHILDREN OF BODOM
Rookie of the Year: PROFANE OMEN
Cover art of the Year: MOKOMA - Kuoleman Laulukunnaat
Musician of the Year: Kai Hahto of WINTERSUN
Vocalist of the Year: Marco Hietala of TAROT / NIGHTWISH

Finnish melodic power metallers THUNDERSTONE have uploaded the video for their new single, "Face in the Mirror", on their official web site: WMV (12 MB), MPG (31 MB). The track comes off the group's fourth studio album, "Evolution 4.0", due on March 14 (except in the U.S., where it will be issued later in the spring). According to the band, the new CD is "a milestone, bringing in more of the heavier stuff that 'Tools of Destruction' already hinted at, but still retaining the landmark melodies of THUNDERSTONE. That's why we thought the title 'Evolution 4.0' best represents where we now stand". Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Roots of Anger", "10,000 Ways", "Swirled", "Down with Me" and "The Source".

Canadian thrashers ANNIHILATOR have revealed the complete track listing for their new album, "Metal", due in Europe on April 16 via SPV Records. The CD's ten new tracks were recorded by Jeff Waters (guitar, bass and lead vocals on one song), drum legend Mike Mangini and Dave Padden (long-time vocalist and touring guitarist/vocalist). "Metal" also features sensational performances by some of metal's finest players and ANNIHILATOR's good friends, like Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), Danko Jones (DANKO JONES), Michael Amott and Angela Gossow (ARCH ENEMY), Corey Beaulieu (TRIVIUM), William Adler (LAMB OF GOD), Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE), Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES), Steve "Lips" Kudlow (ANVIL), Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED), Jacob Lynam (LYNAM) and more.

In view of these impressive omens, one should tend to believe Waters when he states: "'Metal' is going to be known as one of the coolest guitar albums out there but this is also one of the best-written records in my career; something that you can never achieve if you try… it just happens!"

Jeff Waters on the straightforward and unambiguous album title, "Metal": "The new album reminds me of the first four ANNIHILATOR records. It's then tempting to think that I'm looking back artistically, when the opposite happens to be the case. But it's a fact that I composed the new material the same way I went about the early ANNIHILATOR tracks. This record combines many of the diverse styles you will find in metal music done our way. ANNIHILATOR metal."

April will see ANNIHILATOR embark on a major European tour as TRIVIUM's very special guests, playing over 40 shows into June in countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Italy and France and then summer festival shows to follow.

"Metal" will be released April 11 in Japan (King Records), April 12 in Australia/New Zealand (World Riot Distributors), April 13 in Germany (SPV Records) and on April 16 in the rest of Europe (SPV Records).

"Metal" track listing:

01. Clown Parade (feat. Jeff Loomis)
02. Couple Suicide (feat. Danko Jones and Angela Gossow)
03. Army Of One (feat. Steve "Lips" Kudlow)
04. Downright Dominate (feat. Alexi Laiho)
05. Smothered (feat. Anders Björler)
06. Operation Annihilation (feat. Michael Amott)
07. Haunted (feat. Jesper Strömblad)
08. Kicked (feat. Corey Beaulieu)
09. Detonation (feat. Jacob Lynam)
10. Chasing The High (feat. William Adler)

Brutal Dutch death metallers INFINITED HATE, who feature in their ranks three current members of the legendary SINISTER plus ex-members of the mighty HOUWITSER, have begun work on their new album, "Orchestra of Sickness", due later in the year via Goregiastic Records. The projected track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Asylum of Abused
02. Forever Silenced
03. Origin of Evil
04. In Common with Beast
05. Soulless Victor
06. Upper Hate
07. Demon King
08. Primordial Darkness
09. Day of the Cross
10. The Almighty (ARTILLERY cover)

INFINITED HATE previously released two albums through Holland's Displeased Records.

LINKIN PARK has issued the following update:

"Firstly, our new album has officially entered the 'mixing stage' of the process. We have put more into the new album than anything we have ever done before. After over a year of writing, recording, and setting unrealistic finish dates for the record (sorry about that!), we are in the home stretch. The new album is very exciting for the six of us, and we can't wait until everyone can hear it! When can you get your first taste? We are looking to release the first single in March.

"Some of you may think you have already heard some new music; not true. You have heard either 'Qwerty' or 'Announcement Service Public'… both tracks that came out of our recording process, but neither of which will be on the album. They are currently available on this year's LPU [fan club] CD. Go check out www.lpunderground.com.

"Also, get ready for LPTV. We are going to be releasing a series of Internet webisodes on www.linkinpark.com that will give a history of LINKIN PARK, as well as an inside look at the studio experience with the new album. LPU members will have access to extended footage on almost all of the LPTV episodes."

LINKIN PARK's follow up 2003's multi-platinum "Meteora" is being produced by Rick Rubin, whom MC Mike Shinoda called "a legend."

After two years and one album ("Rubicon") with the band, guitarist Raf Jansen has left Belgian metallers ANCIENT RITES.

Commented Raf: "I've enjoyed playing with ANCIENT RITES, but I had to make a decision. As things are these days, something had to go, and after a long deliberation, I chose to leave ANCIENT RITES. AHRÁYEPH [Raf's solo project] demands much of my time these days, as do producing and I have a day job on the side as well.

"Over the years, ANCIENT RITES have proven to rise above every obstacle they encountered, so me leaving won't even leave a dent in the band's future. They'll still stand as strong as ever," he added.

"I wish the guys the very best for the future and at the same time am looking forward to my own with AHRÁYEPH."

Raf is currently in the final stages of completing AHRÁYEPH's debut album, "Marooned on Samsara", due out later in the year. The band will then shop for a record label to release the CD and rehearse for future live gigs. Raf is also scheduled to produce the sophomore albums from Belgian bands WEIHAN and WANHOOP.

Escape Music has announced the signing of NEVERLAND, a progressive power metal band from Switzerland. According to the label, "These dedicated guys have found a perfect mix of classical riffs and melodies and fused them with progressive elements. The result is a very classy album that traces elements of DREAM THEATER, SYMPHONY X, KAMELOT and ROYAL HUNT but they have a distinct originality all of their own. The album is produced by Tommy Vertelli, known for his excellent work with KREATOR and CORONER. The album will be released March 23 and features the following tracks:

01. Schizophrenia
02. When Darkness Falls
03. Mysteria
04. Anger
05. Anguish
06. Take My Advice
07. Buy Your Dream
08. Neverland
09. Brave Warrior

Dark Essence Records has set a March 12 release date for the digipack version of TAAKE's "...Doedskvad". As a bonus, you will get a couple of live clips from TAAKE's concert at the Hole In The Sky festival in 2005.

To coincide with TAAKE's upcoming European tour with URGEHAL and KOLDBRANN, Dark Essence Records will release a new EP from the Norwegian black metallers, entitled "Nekro". The CD will include tracks that previously appeared on various ten- and seven-inch split releases, including "Voldtekt" ("Dra til Helvete" ten-inch EP, 2006), "Lamb" ("A Norwegian Hail To Von" seven-inch" EP, 2005), and "Hennes Kalde Skamlepper" ("Lagnonector" ten-inch EP, 2005).

RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski is working on a compilation CD to celebrate Nuclear Blast Records' 20th anniversary, entitled "Into the Light". Smolski composed, recorded and produced about 10 songs for various metal artists that are part of the Nuclear Blast history, including a track that is being recorded and performed by his own band.

Commented Smolski: "It's a great honor for me working at a large contract, a compilation CD for the 20th anniversary of Nuclear Blast. It will be an album with 10 songs of various metal bands of Nuclear Blast history, [and it will include] a new RAGE song, for which I composed, produced and recorded all guitars, keyboards and bass. I got support by Andre Hilgers (drums) and Peavy Wagner (lyrics). Except some vocal parts, all songs were recorded at VPS studio in Hamm, where Charly Czajkovski again did a great job.

"During composing I tried, making all songs stylistic, and concerning the pitch of the voice, much comfortable for the singer. I didn't figure out, that, beside hearing out the different styles of the bands, the composing and arranging, I had lots of stress while doing clerical work as mailing and phoning. Thanks a lot to all singers for good cooperation. I think, this compilation CD is a real special and important project for Nuclear Blast. Special thanks also to Andy Siry, Jaap Wagemaker and Achim Köhler for support."

The details of the ten songs are as follows:

* Title: "In the Picture"
Vocalist: Tarja Turunen (ex-NIGHTWISH)

Victor: "This last mid-tempo song of the CC develops itself from the ballad-like beginning to a catchy chorus, which is a good example for how harmonic a powerful metal song can fit to Tarja's classical voice. The lyrics deal with the subject, if there were any other existences, and even if we faced directly with the facts, would we believe our eyes?"

* Title: "Slaves of the Desert"
Vocalist: Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN)

Victor: "A long, both groovy and also progressive metal tune, with an interesting structure in the song itself, as well as in harmonics, containing many catchy metal riffs and some arrangement parts for big choir, like Hansi is famous for the several voices work with BLIND GUARDIAN. The song is in a sense about the question, if there is an alien-like existence or even something like a strange population somewhere out there."

* Title: "Dirty Wings"
Vocalist: Tobias Sammet (EDGUY)

Victor: "The opener — one of my favorite songs — is a catchy tune with a real nice melodic chorus, which fits perfect to Tobi's emotional voice. The song lyrics are about a person, who comes back to do it better after he fell, in spite of the mistakes he did."

* Title: "Death is Alive"
Vocalist: Mats Leven (THERION)

Victor: "This is a bombastic dragging song, which contains a lot of dynamic and interesting voice arrangements. (Mats Leven's all-round voice makes you almost feel, like the death in person is singing to you — being a great contrast to the female angel backing [vocals]). A fictional story about immortallity, similar to the Highlander theme."

* Title: "Inner Sanctuary"
Vocalist: Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT)

Victor: "Here we have an almost up-tempo piece, beginning first with a guitar riff, followed by a celtic-like keyboard line, developing later on into a metal song with the mix of powerful orchestration and calm keyboard arrangements, which often is used by NIGHTWISH. The lyrics of the song deal with the fact that life is causing deep wounds sometimes, so it's good, when you have an inner refuge to reflect, an inner sanctuary, where you can regenerate."

* Title: "Terrified"
Vocalist: Peavy Wagner (RAGE)

Victor: "Especially recording a new RAGE song together with Peavy was great fun. There are lots of fast double-bass parts, but also many groovy stuff and great melodies in chorus at 'Terrified', the title of the song. Again, I tuned down the guitars to 'C,' as I did at 'Straight To Hell'. The song really worked out well. The lyrics are describing an inner relief."

* Title: "Bloodsucker"
Vocalist: Schmier (DESTRUCTION)

Victor: "Real trashy number with 200 double-bass. The song deals with the current crisis in Iraq war and their causes (failed U.S. politics)."

* Title: "A Perfect Day"
Vocalist: Andy Deris (HELLOWEEN)

Victor: "Straight HELLOWEEN-style metal song with a catchy chorus. The song deals with the incalculability of life and the associated fact that our end can overtake us any time."

* Title: "Ruling the World"
Vocalist: Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA)

Victor: "Straight metal number with several voices and and keyboard arrangements. The song is about the arrogant power politics of the western great powers."

* Title: "Eternally"
Vocalist: Oddleif Stensland (COMMUNIC)

Victor: "Very slow ballad — heavy and modern. It's about suicide. Too often, especially young people in crisis decide to end their life, without getting straight about the irreversibility of this act."

Danish symphonic black metallers ILLNATH have tapped Reno Kiilerich (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, PANZERCHRIST, DEW-SCENTED) to play drums on their third album, entitled "Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom". The CD is being recorded at Borsing Studios and will feature artwork by Wilhelm Steiner.

"Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom" is expected to be released via ILLNATH's own label following the band's split with Worldchaos Production (which was supposed to put out the band's long-completed second full-length offering, "Second Skin of Harlequin". "The new material will reflect the new situation we're in — new drummer and new bass player, plus almost three years since the last album was recorded," the group previously said.

Due to "contractual obligations, promotional deadlines and manufacturing delays," the release date of ENSIFERUM's third album, "Victory Songs", has been pushed back to April 20. "This is very unfortunate, and we're very sorry about the delay, but there's not much that we or our record companies can do to make this album hit the stores any earlier," the band writes on its web site. "If we could, we certainly would, because we know that all of you are eager to get a listen to the new songs! Despite this time-taking trouble, it's going to be one killer of an album and we hope that you will have the patience to wait just a little longer!"

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR are preparing for the long-awaited release of their new CD, "In Sorte Diaboli", on April 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. The first concept album in the band's history, "In Sorte Diaboli"'s story is set in medieval Europe. "There's this dude that works as a priest's assistant, and after a while he just discovers that he has nothing to do with Christianity," guitarist Silenoz explains what the concept album is about. "He just sort of has this awakening and realizes that he has different abilities and different powers and is leaning more to the dark side…"

To make the story clearer, not only will the lyrics for the songs will be printed in the booklet, but you will also get a short synopsis introducing the listener to the plot.

"In Sorte Diaboli" was mixed in Studio Fredman in Göteborg, Sweden by producers Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten.

European fans will receive the following editions of "In Sorte Diaboli":

Limited-edition European high-quality digipak including a bonus DVD, 32-page booklet (mirrored lyrics) and mirror:

Digipak track listing:

01. The Serpentine Offering
02. The Chosen Legacy
03. The Conspiracy Unfolds
04. The Ancestral Fever (European bonus track)
05. The Sacrilegious Scorn
06. The Fallen Arises
07. The Sinister Awakening
08. The Fundamental Alienation
09. The Invaluable Darkness
10. The Foreshadowing Furnace

Bonus DVD content:

* Video Clip "The Serpentine Offering" (04:42)
* Making of the album with DIMMU BORGIR (studio report) (17:25)
* Making of "The Serpentine Offering" video with DIMMU BORGIR (21:52)
* Photo gallery
* Media player

Standard Version (Europe) - Jewelcase including 32 page-booklet:

CD track listing:

01. The Serpentine Offering
02. The Chosen Legacy
03. The Conspiracy Unfolds
04. The Sacrilegious Scorn
05. The Fallen Arises
06. The Sinister Awakening
07. The Fundamental Alienation
08. The Invaluable Darkness
09. The Foreshadowing Furnace
+ Media Player (incl. video clip "The Serpentine Offering")

There will be also an ultra-limited exclusive Nuclear Blast mailorder edition, a high-quality leather book including a bonus DVD (content printed on special paper including mirrored lyrics and mirror)! Stay tuned for more details!!!

Last but not least, vinyl fans will be also satisfied with the gatefold LP including a bonus 7".

"In Sorte Diaboli" will be available in North America on April 24 in two different formats: a jewel-case CD and a limited-edition digipak (including a bonus DVD; same content as the European DVD version). The North American bonus track will be on both versions. The complete track listing is as follows:

01. The Serpentine Offering
02. The Chosen Legacy
03. The Conspiracy Unfolds
04. The Sacrilegious Scorn
05. The Fallen Rises
06. The Heretic Hammer (exclusive North American bonus track)
07. The Sinister Awakening
08. The Fundamental Alienation
09. The Invaluable Darkness
10. The Foreshadowing Furnace

Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have posted the following message on their official web site:

"One of Sweden's heaviest and most popular metal bands of all time celebrate 20 years with a huge party at Stockholm's Kolingsborg. CANDLEMASS perform with three (!) different vocalists, a bunch of famous metal guests + VIP DJ Lee Dorrian from CATHEDRAL!! Opening act is GRAND MAGUS!! You can also win tickets to Sweden Rock Festival and cool vinyl. Don’t throw away your tickets!!

"For the very first time is the singer from 'Epicus Doomicus Metallicus' — Johan Langquist — fronting CANDLEMASS!!! This fact will make doom fanatics around the globe book plane seats with sweaty palms!! Tomas Vikström, who sang on 'Chapter VI' is also on stage this evening. Count on some songs from that album too... Another highlight of the show is the presentation of Robert Lowe, CANDLEMASS' new singer (well known from SOLITUDE AETURNUS) who makes his debut with the doom legends, who were awarded a Swedish Grammy for best hard rock/metal 2005. Robert puts his voice on CANDLEMASS' new album, 'King of the Grey Islands', in February. Preliminary release date June 22 (Nuclear Blast). It’s not totally impossible that a new song (or two) is performed live at Kolingsborg Saturday, March 31!!!

"CANDLEMASS are joined on stage by some really cool metal elite guests. No names mentioned but don't blame us if you miss this year's most wicked evening. VIP DJ Lee Dorrian (CATHEDRAL) teams up with Magnus from WITCHCRAFT and CANDLEMASS' Mappe + Leif spin personal and inspirational favorites on the main floor!!!!!!!!!! Doom-Ola from I Hate Records reigns in the basement. It will be HEAVY!!!

"Yes, there's MORE!! The great metal trio GRAND MAGUS are on the bill too!!! Don't miss damn it!!!! A new album will be recorded soon...

ENSLAVED was honored with the Spellemann award (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Award) in the "Metal" category for the band's "Ruun" album, which came out in May 2006 via Tabu Recordings (Candlelight in the U.S.). The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held earlier tonight (Saturday, January 27) at the Thalia Theater, Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.

The nominees in the "Metal" category were as follows:

BENEA REACH - "Monument Bineothan" (Tabu Recordings)
ENSLAVED – "Ruun" (Tabu Recordings)
GORGOROTH - "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" (Regain Records)
KEEP OF KALESSIN – "Armada" (Tabu Recordings)

Finnish melodic metallers ALTARIA have issued the following update:

"ALTARIA has been busy both [rehearsing] for the upcoming live shows and composing new material for the follow-up of 'The Fallen Empire', to be released tentatively in the autumn. ALTARIA will play few shows during the spring plus multiple festivals during the summer. The year 2007 will be extremely busy for ALTARIA.

"In other news, since the first two albums are sold out, Metal Heaven is releasing a compilation album entitled 'Divine Invitation' including songs from the first two studio albums. The compilation will also include two new tracks with the new lineup, including Marco [Luponero] on vocals. There'll be also more bonus material."

Massachusetts-based metallers HELL WITHIN have completed work on their new album, "Shadows of Vanity", due in North America on May 15 via Lifeforce Records. The CD was tracked with longtime producer John Ellis and mixed by Mark Lewis of AudioHammer Studios (TRIVIUM, BURY YOUR DEAD, GOD FORBID). Mastering duties will be handled by Tom Morris at Morrisound. The artwork will be created by acclaimed graphic designer and artist Paul Romano (MASTODON, TRIVIUM, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD).

Commented guitarist Tony Zimmerman: "The new HELL WITHIN album, 'Shadows of Vanity', is done being recorded and mixed. We can't wait for everyone to hear it. The album sounds amazing and we are very proud of it. Now all that's left is for it to be mastered. The other thing we have going on is a tour with our good friends THE AUTUMN OFFERING and our soon-to-be-friends AUTUMN BLACK. The Tour will start March 1 and take us until the end of the month. It will cover the East Coast and go over to Texas then up the middle of the country."

HELL WITHIN's debut album, "Asylum of the Human Predator", was released in April 2005 via Lifeforce Records.

Welsh metalcore act BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE has completed the drum tracks for its new album at a Texas studio with producer Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY, NAPALM DEATH). "Padge [guitarist Michael Paget] is currently in the studio getting guitar tones for the album with Colin," the band writes on its web site. "Matt [Tuck, guitar/vocals] is away in Los Angeles in meetings for a couple days. When he gets back he will be recording all his rhythm guitar tracks."

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's "The Poison - Live At Brixton" DVD was released in the U.S. on December 19 via Trustkill. The disc, which was issued in Europe on Oct. 30, captures the band's sold-out show in front of over 4,000 people at London's legendary Brixton Academy on January 28, 2006 (filmed with over 15 cameras), along with over an hour of bonus material, including the band's videos so far, EPKs and documentaries edited to songs from both "The Poison" and the "Hand Of Blood" EP, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the band performing at the Download Festival and the Metal Hammer Awards in the U.K. last summer.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's debut album, "The Poison", has sold 194,000 copies in the U.S. since its February 2006 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

World Entertainment News Network reports that Canadian metal legends VOIVOD have shelved plans to begin work on a new album to allow bassist Jason Newsted to recover after hurting his arm in a freak accident.

Newsted reportedly tore his bicep and rotator cuff trying to catch a bass head that had fallen off an amplifier last October, forcing him to pull out of a tour with supergroup ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA.

But he is on the mend and will record his bass lines separately to VOIVOD.

Drummer Michel "Away" Langevin says, "He needs time to recover from the surgery he had."