BROTHER FIRETRIBE, the Finnish AOR/hard rock band featuring NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, will release a new single, "I Am Rock" (cover), in Finland on January 10, 2007 via Spinefarm Records. The complete track listing for the single is as follows:

01. I Am Rock
02. Love Goes Down (acoustic)
03. One Single Breath (video)

BROTHER FIRETRIBE's debut album, "False Metal", entered the Finnish chart in at position No. 22 back in May 2006. A video for the song "One Single Breath" was shot on July 2 at Nosturi in Helsinki.

World Entertainment News Network reports: SYSTEM OF A DOWN insist they are not splitting up — but admit the band has an uncertain musical future.

John Dolmayan, Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian and Shavo Odadjian announced their hiatus from the band earlier this year to work on separate projects.

And frontman Tankian believes the break was long overdue.

He says, "I've wanted to make my solo record for years, but I just haven't had the time. For the last 11 years we've all been wedded to this band, and now we want to take a break.

"I honestly don't know if SYSTEM OF A DOWN are over or no. Maybe in a few years we'll want to make another album. It's impossible to tell right now. It'll be later down the line that we'll be able to tell what might happen."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN is featured in a new documentary called "Screamers", about the history of genocide throughout the 20th century. The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 8 and will expand to other cities in January.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN's last two albums, "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize", were released in May and November 2005 respectively. Both debuted on The Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 and have sold a combined total of three million copies in the U.S.

German death/thrash metal act BURDEN OF GRIEF will release its fourth full-length album, "Death End Road", on March 30, 2007 via Remedy Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Fields of Salvation" was recorded at Krachgarten Tonstudio in Kassel, Germany and was mixed at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark with producer Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS, HATESPHERE).

"After some important line-up changes during that last year we have finally found our self-confidence again, and we can't expect to release our new record," the band previously wrote on its web site.

"Death End Road" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Death End Road (instrumental)
02. Vita Reducta
03. Swallow The Sun
04. The Game
05. Running Scared
06. The Killer In Me
07. Drown In Sorrow
08. Schizophrenic
09. Passion Of The Night
10. Road Of Visions
11. Smashed To Pieces '07 (bonus track)
12. Immense Infinity '07 (bonus track)

U.K. progressive metallers THRESHOLD have finished recording their new album, "Dead Reckoning", for a March 23, 2007 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by guitarist Karl Groom and keyboardist Richard West at Thin Ice Studios. The track listing is as follows:

01. Slipstream
02. This Is Your Life
03. Elusive
04. Hollow
05. Pilot in the Sky of Dreams
06. Fighting For Breath
07. Disappear
08. Safe To Fly
09. One Degree Down

Commented Richard West: "It's great to finally be finished. It felt like we could keep working forever, but Nuclear Blast gave us a Christmas deadline and that helped us focus on finishing. We started writing over the summer with the intention of modernizing our approach with a darker heavier sound. But once the writing starts the songs sometimes take over, so alongside the heavier tracks like 'Slipstream' and 'Hollow' there's a 10-minute progressive epic called 'Pilot in the Sky of Dreams', a huge PINK FLOYD-esque ending to 'One Degree Down', and the last song we wrote is a power ballad called 'Safe To Fly' which proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle.

"While Karl was busy tracking drums and guitars at Thin Ice Studios, I was recording vocals and keyboards at Bray Studios. It was a nice place to work; everyone from IRON MAIDEN to CLIFF RICHARD were there rehearsing for tours, and I had a steady stream of musicians and crew popping in for coffee. I'd like to think it was to see me, but it was most likely the coffee; I get it freshly roasted to order from www.justcoffee.co.uk and it's probably the best coffee in the country — I strongly recommend the Guatemalan!"

"At one stage we were going to call the album 'Pilot in the Sky of Dreams', but in the end it was more suitable as a song title; it didn't sound solid or powerful enough to represent the overall sound of the album.

"Our fans were great. They started posting their own artwork for the 'Pilot' title on our forum, based on everything from the HAMMERFALL artwork (their new album is called 'Threshold') to Dastardly and Mutley (cartoon characters). Our cover artist for the last few years has been Thomas Ewerhard and he did a great design for 'Pilot', but with the new album title 'Dead Reckoning' came a new artist called Davide Nadalin who has done a wonderful cover for us, which we'll reveal in the New Year. Thomas's artwork won't be wasted though; we hope to use that for something next year."

"We've started announcing our live shows for 2007. Originally we were going to tour before the summer, but now it looks like we'll start the summer with some festivals and tour after that."

THRESHOLD drummer Johanne James has been named drummer of the year by the Classic Rock Society. The award was presented to him by the legendary Carl Palmer and CRS president Martin Hudson at their annual awards ceremony. As well as drumming for THRESHOLD, Johanne fronts and drums for KYRBGRINDER, whose debut album, "Defiance", is due for release in January.

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has confirmed via his official web site that he is currently working on the third installment of his solo project AVANTASIA. "Again it's going to be a conceptual album with different musicians and singers," he writes.

"You ask why I am doing it? Because I can! Because I am dying to go for it! And because the time has come that I feel ready and strong enough to start something big, bombastic and monumental again! Believe me: you won't find any other man on the face of the earth who has got more work and stress right now — and who's yet as happy as I am. It's so exciting to see another dream of mine take shape."

AVANTASIA's last release was the two-part epic called "The Metal Opera" (issued in 2001 and 2002), which featured an impressive array of guest vocalists playing the various characters of the opera, including Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY), André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN), Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Rob Rock (WARRIOR), and others.

According to MelodicRock.com, long-running Swedish-American melodic hard rock band TALISMAN — which revolves around former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN members Jeff Scott Soto (vocals; now in JOURNEY) and Marcel Jacob (bass) — will hit the road in Europe for the last time in April 2007. Originally slated for October 2006, the trek was postponed due to Soto being drafted in to cover for Steve Augeri on JOURNEY's recent U.S. tour, and April 2007 will follow on from the JOURNEY dates recently released for the U.K. and mainland Europe. All in all, TALISMAN will hit eight countries on a whirlwind tour comprising 14 dates plus a couple of "warm-up" gigs in Sweden.

Commented Soto: "The latest [TALISMAN] album was discussed as our last before the JOURNEY gig came about. Even when I was there as a 'fill- in,' TALISMAN has basically run its course as most of us are pursuing other areas. It's not to say we'll never address this band again or that my working relationship is done with Marcel, but as we speak today, '7' is our swan song as are the tour dates being booked through Europe after the short JOURNEY run in the spring."

Armageddon Music has set a February 16, 2007 release date for the new ROSE TATTOO album, entitled "Blood Brothers".

As previously reported, ROSE TATTOO has posted its video for the track "Black Eyed Bruiser" 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 was due to start recording "Blood Brothers" in Sydney on May 1 but put back the recording following guitarist Pete Wells' passing until July. The band was very hopeful of having Pete play on this album before he got too ill.

ROSE TATTOO will embark on a European tour in early March. The band will also play select dates with SAXON and MASTERPLAN.

Liechtenstein-based gothic metal group ELIS — whose lead singer, Sabine Dünser, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on July 7, 2006 during rehearsal and passed away the following day in hospital — has issued the following update:

"Now the time has come to disclose the secret about our new singer! Sandra Schleret will do the vocals for ELIS in the future! Sandra comes from Innsbruck (Austria) and stood behind the microphone for various bands, among others for DREAMS OF SANITY and SIEGFRIED. She did also guest appearances for SAMAEL. She impressed us with her voice and her personality and we guess that she fits perfect to ELIS! You will find more information in the 'Biography' section of our homepage.

"We want to thank all of the candidates once again dearly and we wish all of you the best of luck on your further path!"

ELIS's latest album, "Griefshire", was released in Europe on November 24 via Napalm Records (the U.S. will receive the album on January 16). The recordings for the CD were completed prior to the death of Dünser, who came up with the original concept for the album.

ELFONÍA, the Mexican band featuring STREAM OF PASSION vocalist Marcela Bovio, has issued the following update:

"In the past five years working with ELFONÍA we've been through a lot: amazing experiences, fun moments, lots of challenges, hard times. This band saw us all grow as musicians and performers, something we're very proud of. It has been an honor and a pleasure to count with the support of all our fans and loved ones; we'll be forever thankful to you all!

"Some of you must have guessed it by now, but the band is from a while now taking an indefinite break... We still haven't decided if this break will be final or not, but so far we have no plans to continue writing songs or perform live. Each of us is focusing on different projects, going different places.

"Once again, thank you all for your unconditional support! We hope the future brings the best for everyone."

STREAM OF PASSION's debut album, "Embrace the Storm", was released in Holland in October 2005 via Sony/BMG Benelux. The CD was issued in the rest of Europe and the U.S./Canada via InsideOut Music.

Swedish "heavy doom progressive" metallers MORGANA LEFAY have completed work on their new album, "Primal Chaos", at Soundcreation studio in Bollnäs, Sweden for a March 2007 release via Black Mark Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Grand Materia" will feature the following track listing:

01. Delusions
02. Make a Wish
03. The Rush of Possession
04. Depression
05. Caught in the Treadwheel
06. Reflections of War
07. Face of Fear
08. Where I Rule
09. In Shadows I Reign
10. Aberration of Mind
11. Vultures Devouring
12. Over and Over Again

Check out audio clips of "The Rush of Possession" and "Reflections of War" at this location.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist/producer Dan Swanö's SECOND SKY, a sequel of sorts to his UNICORN project, has finished recording two new tracks, entitled "Always Tomorrow" and "The Way".

Commented Dan: It feels nice to record some stuff for this magnificient album again. The tracks sound amazing with some muscular bass added to them and it feels like this album will end up a lot harder than I expected. Still very pomp but with a bit more dirt under the nails than I thought! Amazing!! We have another session booked for early January 2007 where we expect to nail at least three songs. I'm soooo excited!!!!"

Regarding his songwriting/recording approach to SECOND SKY, Dan stated, "The thing about the SECOND SKY album is that there is a lot at stake, more from a psychological point. It is for me, in many ways, the first album I ever make. These songs are 100% from the heart and there are no compromises made whatsoever. Every line of lyrics must be perfect in so many ways and mean so much for me to fit the song...and I have re-written one of the lyrics three times already... Some days I believe this album will never be finished. It's like an old friend that I need by my side to stay sane. Something that can never be finished because it is 99% chance that it won't be all that I expect it to be. Other days I work with it and feel.... 'Hey, it's gonna be perfect. Don't be a pussy, just finish the goddamn thing.' Then there is the sound aspect. Find the perfect sound for all the instruments, the ultimate grand piano sampling library etc. etc. But we will start doing the bass soon and I will also start doing the backing vocals for the songs where the lyrics feel great..."

SECOND SKY's album is tentatively scheduled for release in 2007-2008.

Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SOUL SIRKUS) has been officially named the new lead singer of JOURNEY. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with DEF LEPPARD shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to JOURNEY," says JOURNEY in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring.”

Steve Augeri states: "Singing for JOURNEY these last eight years have been the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the band, and especially the fans, for the privilege of being part of a musical legacy that has touched so many hearts and souls. I wish my fellow bandmates success and happiness as they continue to make great music in the future, as I will strive to do the same myself."

Jeff Soto also adds, "With delight and pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with JOURNEY now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping JOURNEY continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive JOURNEY into the next stage of this band's future."

Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, "In the Moment", due out the summer of 2007. He's also putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to the AOR classic TALL STORIES album, launching early next year.

JOURNEY — Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals) — are currently mapping out plans for 2007.

SCARIOT, the Norwegian band led by Død (a.k.a. Daniel Olaisen; BLOOD RED THRONE), has posted the cover artwork for its new album, "Momentum Shift", at this location (artwork by Asgeir Mickelson). Due in February 2007 via FaceFront Records, the CD was mixed at Top Room studios in Norway. Drumming duties on the album were handled by Asgeir Mickelson (SPIRAL ARCHITECT, BORKNAGAR) while the bass tracks were laid down by Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS, SEBASTIAN BACH).

SCARIOT's last studio album, "Strange to Numbers", was released in 2003.

Deutsch Nepal is one of the few more Industrial bands that found a sound of its very own right from the start - which in this case was as early as 1990, the warm psychedelic tribals has always had an unsettling and hypnotic twist, and also become the bands trademark. The spellbounding feeling known from the numerous live performances has finally made the way into the studio and I dare to say this is the best Deutsch Nepal to date. Never has the sound been more accurate, never has the vocals been stronger.
Deutsch Nepal, is Lina B Doll, a well-known cult-phenomenon in the industrial underground scene, with several worldwide tours and collaborations with notorious artists such as Der Blutharsch, Brighter Death Now, Raison d'être he is just as famous as he is infamous. With several respected releases on various labels such as CMI (of course), Hauruck, Staalplaat and Old Europa Café, it is now with great pleasure we are finally able to present a completely new studio album. On Erotikon Deutsch Nepal blooms in full decadence. Dark seductive psychodelic industrial songs - it is retro all the way back to the Nico influences, it's addictive in every sexual way - and it leaves you with a complete new experience and a sensational taste of bodily fluids. Lubrication saves!

Tracklist:
1. U.R. Blackhouse / 2. Heartbomb / 3. I Jast fokos an maiself / 4. At the Court of Saba / 5. Blowjob Parasite / 6. Permobile Erotomatik / 7. Rapist Park Junktion / 8. Menage a troi...cent / 9. Erotikon / 10. M/S Elusive Pain

REDEMPTION, the Los Angeles-based progressive metal band led by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk and featuring vocal legend Ray Alder of FATES WARNING, has revealed the artwork and track listing for its third CD, "The Origins of Ruin", tentatively due in March/April 2007 via Inside Out Music.

Injecting traditional progressive metal with an uncommon degree of heaviness and melody, REDEMPTION's new CD follows up 2005's breakthrough release "The Fullness of Time", the band's first with Alder, which generated tremendous critical and popular acclaim. With Bernie Versailles (guitars, AGENT STEEL), Chris Quirarte (drums, PRYMARY) and new bass player Sean Andrews (who performed on Henning Pauly's CHAIN project), REDEMPTION is one of the most prominent up-and-coming progressive metal bands.

"The Origins of Ruin" (view cover here) track listing:

01. The Suffocating Silence (download mp3)
02. Bleed Me Dry
03. The Death of Faith & Reason
04. Memory
05. The Origins of Ruin
06. Man of Glass
07. Blind My Eyes
08. Used to Be
09. Fall on You
10. Precious Things (TORI AMOS cover)
11. Love To Love (UFO cover)

BLOODBOUND, the new Swedish metal band featuring Fredrik Bergh (STREET TALK; bass, keyboards and backing vocals) and Tomas Olsson (lead and rhythm guitars), has issued the following update:

"We are finally in the studio recording the new album which will be released around April 2007. The new album is going to be heavier and more diverse than 'Nosferatu', yet with all the traditional bloodbound elements. The complete new lineup will also be announced shortly." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Book of the Dead", "Vampires", "Into Eternity", "Turn To Stone" and "The Tempter".

BLOODBOUND recently parted ways with with singer Kristian Andrén (MEMENTO MORI, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, TAD MOROSE) after only a few weeks of working together. A replacement vocalist has not yet been announced. The band also named Tomas' younger brother Henrik Olsson the group's new rhythm guitar player.

"Nosferatu" was released in Europe in February via Metal Heaven. The CD was recorded and produced by Tomas Olsson and Fredrik Bergh.

German metallers METALIUM have posted the cover artwork for their sixth album, "Nothing to Undo – Chapter VI", at this location. Due in February 2007, the CD will feature the following track listing:

01. Spineless Scum
02. Spirits
03. Mindeless
04. Straight Into Hell
05. Mental Blindness
06. Heroes
07. Way Home
08. Dare
09. Follow the Sign
10. Show Must Go On (QUEEN cover)
11. Way Home – Orchestral (Japanese bonus track)

A complete album preview can be heard and or downloaded at this location.

Commented the band: The lyrical themes are about the deepest innerside of a human being…. Lies, betrayal, false friends… but also about honour, loyalty and blind understanding. In general, the most direct and dramatic lyrics of METALIUM so far and more related to reality than the other chapters. Once more, the lyrics were written by Lars [Ratz, bass] and Michael [Ehre, drums] and we feel that we are getting more and more closer with our style of writing, even though both writers kept definitely their own style, as always."

In other news, METALIUM has announced that it is giving the group's fans a free complete "metal ringtone collection" with unique and special excerpts of the recordings sessions. The collection includes "signals, separated from the other instruments like: screams, chorus lines, guitar riffs, drum fills, bass runs, choirs, shouts, keyboards and as well complete edited choruses." Previews for free download (wma format) and use in your mobile phone can be found at this location.

METALIUM released a DVD, entitled "Metalian Attack – Part 2", in May. The four-hour disc includes footage from the band's Sept. 23, 2005 concert at the Jahnhalle in Nordenham, Germany plus material from the group's appearance at the Bloodstock festival in the U.K., where the group reportedly performed for more than 2,000 people. Also included are interviews, picture galleries, plus in-the-studio and behind-the-scenes footage.

METALIUM's fifth studio album, "Demons of Insanity - Chapter Five", was released last year via Armageddon Music (Crash Music, Inc. in the U.S.). The CD was recorded at Jumpower studios in Mallorca and Tornado studios in Hamburg with producer/bassist Lars Ratz. Guesting on the album, once again, was legendary keyboardist Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE).

German power metallers WIZARD will release their new album, "Goochan" (cover artwork), on February 23, 2007 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Magic Circle" was produced by Dennis Ward at House of Music studio and will contain the following track listing:

01. Witch of the Enchanted Forest
02. Pale Rider
03. Call to the Dragon
04. Children of the Night
05. Black Worms
06. Lonely in Desertland
07. Dragons Death
08. Sword of Vengeance
09. Two faces of Balthasar
10. Return of the Thunderwarriors

An audio sample of "Sword of Vengeance" is available for download at this location.

WIZARD was formed back in 1989 and is often called "Germany's answer to MANOWAR." The band was previously signed to Limb Music.

ANATHEMA mastermind Daniel Cavanagh has issued the following update:

"We are well aware that for one reason or another, it has taken a long time for ANATHEMA to get to this place, but now we are ready. The album tracklist is decided. The rehearsals are going very well. Everything, quite literally, is falling into place.

"What I love about this record is the character it seems to have. The songs belong together. There is purpose and focus. And it shines. Brightly.

"The message is one of hope. Of the absolute certainty that there is a better way. There is always a better way. There is always a solution, a purpose. It only remains for us to be open to it. To bring ourselves back into harmony with a larger system. That harmony begins by bringing ourselves back into balance within ourselves. All the ancient sages and wise people have said it. Change starts with the individual.

"Some of these songs are a little more melancholy, and some of them are euphoric. They all have one thing in common in that they are all very much from the heart, and they are dripping with emotion.

"This is the greatest record we have ever made. I know it in my heart. All we need do now is find the right engineer/producer and the right studio? And to remain focused. To this end, we have decided to hire a house in the country for the first month of next year to 'live' this record before we record. We will play every day and we will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of brilliance. Of a new way to express these feelings.

"I put my faith that the greater mind can bring everything into place for us to make this record. A record that will certainly affect some people. I do not wish to sound pretentious but I know it will change lives. This is what music does. It moves people in a way no other form of art does.

"Because our inspiration is of a pure source, and because our intentions are genuinely to reach people and open them up to new ways of feeling and thinking, I have every faith that whatever we need to make this happen will come to us."

"Everything" track listing:

01. Thin Air (Ann Further)
02. Bricks (working title)
03. Lightning Song
04. Sunlight
05. Get Off. Get Out. (working title)
06. Angels Walk Among Us
07. Everything
08. A Simple Mistake
09. Voodoo (working title)
10. No One Is Free (working title)
11. Paradigm Shift
12. Hindsight

Added Daniel Cavanagh: "There will be another free song online before the release, not from the album, and we are looking into ways to thank all the people who kindly made donations for dowloading the other tracks. This small but not insignifcant amount of money will pay for our rental of a house to complete the writing and other little expenses. Thank you all. We will not let you down."

Metal Mind Productions released a new ANATHEMA DVD, entitled "A Moment in Time", on June 19 in Europe (July 18 in the U.S.). The main part of DVD was recorded in Poland at the famous Metal Mania Festival 2006 (the biggest hard rock/metal festival in Eastern Europe). The set list included their best songs plus a cover of PINK FLOYD's "Comfortably Numb". The guest performance was done by a string quartet. Bonus material includes live video footage, video clips, and a documentary. The DVD will be available also in a limited edition with bonus audio CD.

ANATHEMA is currently unsigned as a result of having been dropped by BMG/Zomba after its previous label, Music For Nations, was folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group).

RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski is working on a compilation CD to celebrate Nuclear Blast Records' 20th anniversary. 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. He has issued the following update on the project via his official web site:

"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, inclusive 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 (e.g. that Schmier [DESTRUCTION] sounds real 'schmierig') I didn't figured 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 first five songs are as follows:

* 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."

Check out pictures from the sessions at this location

STRATOVARIUS frontman Timo Kotipelto has set "Serenity" as the title of his third solo album, tentatively due in early 2007 via his own label, High and Loud Records. The CD was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland and was mixed by Mikko Karmila. A video for the album's first single, "Sleep Well", has been posted online at YouTube.com.

Commented Kotipelto: "The song will be on a Finnish movie 'Vares 2' which will have its premiere January 12th, 2007. The song is a main theme and can be heard when the credits are scrolling at the end of the movie. The music video include[s] clips from the movie. Some of the actors who are playing the characters on these clips are my personal friends and are very well known in Finland."

The "Sleep Well" single is scheduled for release in Finland on January 10, 2007.

The video for "Ain't Crying For The Moon", the title track from KINGDOM COME's new studio album, has been posted online at Youtube.

"Ain't Crying For The Moon" was released in Europe on October 20 via Frontiers Records.

"After having done a lot of experimenting with 'Perpetual', I thought it was the time to take out the axe again and rock the house," said Lenny Wolf, the mastermind behind KINGDOM COME. The new CD [is] one of my heaviest recordings ever. I was trying to build 'walls of guitars' in combination with that typical KC moody and spacey approach. It does not have the typical 'blues' factor anymore, which many of you may remember from the first records. I have transported my roots into the year 2006."

DAWN OF DEMISE, self-described as "one of Denmark's most brutal bands," has posted two new tracks on its Myspace. The songs "Degrading the Worthless" and "Malice – Kill to Conform" come off the group's debut album, "Hate Takes Its Form", which was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, VOLBEAT, MERCENARY, MNEMIC) at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark. "We chose these two songs because they represent what we are all about — heaviness, brutality and energy," the band writes in a press release.

Currently unsigned, DAWN OF DEMISE was formed in the fall of 2003 with one sole purpose — to play extremely heavy New York-style death metal. After one demo, "…And Blood Will Flow", and successful gigs all over Denmark, the band entered the studio to record its full-length debut.

DAWN OF DEMISE lineup:

Scott Jensen (ex-INFERNAL TORMENT) - Vocals
Bjørn Jensen - Bass
Jakob Nyholm (KOLDBORN) - Guitar
Martin Sørensen - Guitar
Kim Jensen - Drums

CORNERSTONE, the Danish/British melodic metal band featuring YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ex-RAINBOW frontman Doogie White and ex-ROYAL HUNT bassist Steen Mogensen, has uploaded two audio samples from its upcoming album, entitled "Two Tales and One Tomorrow", at the band's official web site. Check out the songs "One Man's Hell" and "Mother of Mercy" at this location.

Due in Europe on February 23, 2007 via Massacre Records, the follow-up to 2003's "Once Upon Our Yesterdays" will include such additional cuts as "Prey", "Requiem", "Wicked" and "Two Tales and One Tomorrow". The album artwork can be viewed at this location.

CORNERSTONE's live album, "Cornerstone In Concert", was released in July 2005 in Japan via Yamaha Communications and in Europe through Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at several shows on the group's debut tour of Europe in January/Febuary 2005. Included in the package is a video clip of live and backstage footage from the band's private archives.

Swedish power metal act MOONLIGHT AGONY has inked a deal with Dockyard Records. The group's second album, "Silent Waters", is scheduled for release in February 2007. The follow-up to 2004's "Echoes of a Nightmare" (Massacre Records) was recorded at Division One Studios with engineer Arnold Lindberg (EVERGREY).

"Silent Waters" track listing:

01. Leaving Solitude
02. You Betrayed Me
03. Soulless
04. Through the Desert Storm
05. The Dark Era
06. I'm Alive
07. Room 101
08. Different Stories
09. Bloodred Sails
10. Solemn Waters
11. [Japanese bonus track]

The new MANOWAR album, "Gods of War", will hit stores on the following dates:

February 23, 2007 (Germany)
February 26, 2007 (Rest of Europe, excluding France, U.K.)
March 5, 2007 (France, U.K.)
April 3, 2007 (USA, Canada)

More details will be released soon, including the cover artwork.

Guitarist Guido Wehmeyer has left the German metallers AXXIS. According to a posting on the group's web site, "The band did know his decision since September 2006 and wanted to say thanks for the great time, the great productions and the wonderful gigs with him. For AXXIS it's not an easy situation but everybody accepted Guido's plan for his own future. In Karlsruhe/Germany was the last gig with him and AXXIS presented a large cake for their long-time colleague during their private party. The goodbye was not easy ...you can see it on the pics. The band tries to find a good alternative and if someone thinks that he's able to do this job he can sent and mail with bio and fotos to axxisworld@aol.com."

EMI Electrola released the "Best Of" album from AXXIS on November 17.

EMI Electrola originally asked AXXIS for its co-operation in releasing a "best of" collection from the band several years ago, but the group was reluctant to release a compilation of material that was already available on the market.

Featuring previously unreleased material, remixed songs, and special acoustic versions of older tracks recorded earlier this year at Soundworxx studio, "Best Of" is a double CD containing ballads on the first disc and acoustic recordings on the second disc.