Lifeforce Records has set a February 26, 2007 European release date (April 4, 2007 in the U.S./Canada) for the new album from Swedish/Greek melodic death metal outfit NIGHTRAGE. The band entered Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark today with producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, FEAR MY THOUGHTS, HEAVEN SHALL BURN) to begin recording the follow-up to 2005's "Descent into Chaos". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Spiral", "Reconcile", "Encircle", and "Scathing".

NIGHTRAGE once again utilized the services of Pierre Lysell from the Swedish band NONE as the second guitarist for its recent tour with VADER. The band also recently announced the addition of drummer Alex Svenningson (ex-MINDFALL) to its ranks.

NIGHTRAGE has been confirmed for the Metal Healing Festival, set to take place July 20-22, 2007 in Greece. Also scheduled to appear are THE HAUNTED, DESTRUCTION, ROTTING CHRIST, TO/DIE/FOR, MYSTIC PROPHECY and EKTOMORF, among others.

NIGHTRAGE was originally formed in Greece back in the year 2000 by Iliopoulos (formerly of EXHUMATION, who released three high-quality death metal albums, all produced in Sweden) and his friend Gus G. (DREAM EVIL, FIREWIND, MYSTIC PROPHECY). NIGHTRAGE released two albums on Century Media Records, "Sweet Vengeance" (2003) and "Descent Into Chaos" (2005), before they parted ways with vocalist Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR, THE CROWN) and Strimell joined the band on vocal duties.

An autographed promotional copy of METALLICA's classic debut album, "Kill 'Em All" — signed by the entire band, including deceased METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton — was sold on eBay for a whopping $1,476.

According to the seller, "the autographs were signed in 1983 just before the official release of 'Kill 'Em All' hit the stores! The signatures are guaranteed authentic, obtained in person at the legendary coolest metal shop in the universe — The Record Vault." Signatures and notations as follows:

"SUPPORT YER LOCAL METAL MILITIA" = Kirk Hammett

"Keep The Store Together - And Metal Up Your Ass" = James Hetfield

"CHOP 'EM" = Cliff Burton

"Thanks For Everything" = Lars Ulrich

Check out the auction at this location.

"Kill 'Em All" was released July 25, 1983 on Megaforce Records.

With the imminent release of Existentia on January 30th, 2007 in North America, Napalm recording artists Trail Of Tears are in a bit of a quandary, and much speculation has ensued. Therefore, founding vocalist Ronny Thorsen has released this official statement:

"Dear all,

The following lines are written in the attempt of clarifying the news that have been circulating in the past few days. There is really no easy way of telling this, so I will try to explain to the best of my ability.

On the 26th of November, Trail Of Tears completed a 10-date tour of Mexico, a tour which was in large part ridden with organisational problems and resulted in a severe financial loss for everyone involved. As a result of this, I was called to the band hotel on the morning of November 28th, asking for a meeting by the remaining members. Arriving to the hotel, I am instead given a message, lasting a mere two minutes, that because of the situation they have decided to end the band effective immidiately. The decision has been made entirely without my consultation and approval, and thus Trail of Tears is NOT dead and will continue in a new shape and formation. [emphasis added]

Needless to say, I am very disappointed by the decision and the way that this has been handled by the leaving members. I have tried my very best best reasoning with them, stressing that the timing could not be worse and that in fact they are violating future obligations with a decision made in a moment of frustration in the aftermath of this tour. I have even offered to cover the several-thousand-euros financial loss out of my own pocket in order for them not to worry about paying their bills and so that we can focus on our already-agreed obligations towards label, tour organisors and the countless people involved. This was not accepted; however, they made sure of giving me all their account numbers before running back to Norway.

I am truly ashamed by the lack of insight, understanding, and responsability the leaving members have portrayed with this decision, with absolute disregard to the fans who have bought tickets for the upcoming tour, which we now have to cancel, and to all the parties involved who have invested a large amount of work and money in the upcoming release, Existentia. The decision to leave a band is an individual choice and I respect that to the fullest, but it does under no circumstances justify the leaving members violating obligations and making decisions for others, going public with something that has not been approved.

Despite the situation, I want to thank the leaving members, each and every one of you, for the amazing times we have shared; I will always consider you my brothers, friends and family.

Great chapters have been written and more are in the making.

This is not the end!

Sincerely,
Ronny Thorsen, Trail of Tears."

Liechtenstein-based romantic gothic metal band WELTENBRAND was in Düsseldorf, Germany last week to film a new video. Check out photos from the shoot at this location.

WELTENBRAND recently announced the addition of drummer Mario Jahnke to the group's ranks. "Adrian [Büchel] had to leave the band because of chronological problems," WELTENBRAND previously wrote on its web site.

WELTENBRAND released its fifth album, "The End of the Wizard", in August via Napalm Records. The CD was issued as both a regular jewel case and a limited-edition digipack, including two bonus tracks. The follow-up to 2001's "In Gottes Und des Teufels Namen" introduced female vocalist Dina Zambelli, who recently replaced Simone Villamar following Simone's and husband Stefan's split from the band.

SUSPERIA, the Norwegian band featuring former members of DIMMU BORGIR and SATYRICON, has issued the following update:

"It's been a busy few weeks for us. We have now almost completed all the work on the new album. We finished the mixing sessions with Daniel Bergstrand at Dug-Out Studios in [Uppsala] Sweden a couple of weeks ago. Daniel, who has credits with IN FLAMES and MESHUGGAH to his name, is a real cool guy with some exciting ideas. He worked some magic on our new songs. We're really pleased with the way it's turned out. The artwork is being worked on as we speak and should be finished by next month. We will also reveal the album title soon.

"A huge thanks to everyone who came to see us on The Eternal Anger Tour last month. It was good to escape from the recording studio for a short time and play you some new songs as well the older stuff. We got good reactions to the new songs — glad that you are liking them. Check out some killer live shots from the Bradford show in the media/downloads page on the SUSPERIA website — thanks to our webmaster Andy Stone for the photos.

SUSPERIA's new album was recorded at StrandStudio in Oslo, Norway. The band once again worked with Marius Strand, who previously assisted SUSPERIA on 2005's Norwegian Top 20 hit, the "Devil May Care" EP. A release is planned for early 2007 through the Tabu label in Europe and Candlelight Records in the USA. No name for the album has been announced yet, but songtitles revealed so far are "More" (which SUSPERIA performed at this year's Inferno Festival in Norway), "Cut From Stone", "Distant Memory" and "The Clone".

SIRENIA, the Norwegian gothic metal band featuring former TRISTANIA guitarist/vocalist Morten Veland, has completed work on a video for the song "My Mind's Eye" from the group's new album, "Nine Destinies and a Downfall". The clip will be made available to all video outlets in early 2007.

As previously reported, Nuclear Blast Records has set a February 26 European release date (February 23 in Germany) for "Nine Destinies and a Downfall". The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The Last Call
02. My Mind's Eye
03. One By One
04. Sundown
05. Absent Without Leave
06. The Other Side
07. Seven Keys And Nine Doors
08. Downfall
09. Glades Of Summer

"Nine Destinies and a Downfall" was recorded at Jailhouse studios in Norway with engineer Hans Eidsgard and Soundsuite studios in France with Terje Refsnes. The CD was mixed and mastered at Antfarm studios in Aarhus, Denmark with Tue Madsen. The cover artwork will be designed by Anthony Clarkson.

SIRENIA earlier in the year announced the addition of 27-year-old Danish female singer Monika Pedersen (photo) to the group's ranks. "Monika has been dedicated to music all her life, and has loads of experience from from other bands, projects, choirs etc." the group wrote on their web site. "In addition, she has been working with several professional singing teachers in Luxemburg and Denmark."

Pedersen joined SIRENIA as the replacement for Henriette Bordvik, who quit the band in September 2005.

SIRENIA last year signed a new record deal with Nuclear Blast. The band have released two successful albums to date (2002's "At Sixes and Sevens" and 2004's "An Elixir for Existence") and in 2004 toured Europe with TIAMAT, PAIN and THEATRE OF TRAGEDY.

Finnish melodic metallers OLYMPOS MONS have issued the following update:

"The negotiations with our former label concerning the [already completed] new album ['Medievil'] has taken unexpected turns. OLYMPOS MONS is not satisfied how the distribution of the debut album, 'Conquistador' [2004], was handled. Neither are we satisfyed with the explanations provided, not to mention several other issues.We have reached a dead end. The album will be released but it is still uncertain by who."

Commented vocalist Ian E. Highhill: "There's been some interesting offers, but we're still waiting for as many as possible before we make a decision. We also hope that the fans will show patience since the release will be delayed."

For more information, including an audio samples from the upcoming CD, visit

Melbourne, Australia's ALARUM has announced the addition of drummer Rob Brens to the group's ranks. Brens joins the band as the replacement for previous skinsman Racca, who left ALARUM this past summer "to pursue other interests."

ALARUM is currently writing material for a new album as well as preparing for a gig supporting TESTAMENT in Melbourne at Prince Of Wales on February 7.

ALARUM earlier in the year completed a U.S. tour with NECROPHAGIST, ARSIS, NEURAXIS and CATTLE DECAPITATION. The band's latest CD, "Eventuality", was released in July 2005 via Willowtip/Earache. The album was recorded through 2004 at Back Beach Studios with Theron Rennison and assistant Rick Luke.

After three albums produced by Norwegian producer Terje Refsnes, French power metallers NIGHTMARE are ready for a new challenge. The recording of the group's sixth studio album will start May 7, 2007 at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL).

NIGHTMARE's follow-up to 2005's "The Dominion Gate" will be released by Sweden's Regain Records in the fall of 2007, followed by full European and U.S tours. The band has also joined forces with an international booking agent, MDM Concerts in Germany (in cooperation with Blue Steel Agency).

"The Dominion Gate" came out in November 2005 via Regain Records. The CD was recorded during April-May 2005 at Soundsuite Studio with Norwegian producer Terje Refsnes (TRISTANIA, SIRENIA, GREEN CARNATION) and includes special guest appearances by AFTER FOREVER's Floor Jansen and Sander Gommans, along with ex-PRETTY MAIDS guitarist Ricky Marx, who has previously collaborated with NIGHTMARE vocalist Jo Amore back in the '90s.

Montreal-based NEURAXIS has began the writing process for its next album. Guitarist Rob Milley comments: "We are only in the beginning stages but already it can be said that our new material is feeling more progressive and dynamic and at the same time we are making sure it will continue to be as vicious and brutal as ever. Everyone is excited to see where this new chapter will take us. We will keep you all updated as the songwriting progresses. "

NEURAXIS will take part in the European Domination Tour in February/March 2007 alongside ROTTING CHRIST, MALEVOLENT CREATION, CARPATHIAN FOREST, INCANTATION and HARM.

Finnish death metallers SCENT OF FLESH have set the track listing for their third album, "Deform in Torture", tentatively due mid-February 2007 via Firebox Records. It is as follows:

01. Living But Stillborn
02. At the Stake of Mercy
03. Deform in Torture
04. Last Act of Power
05. Relentless Hands
06. Delusions of Deity
07. One Holy Truth
08. Our Own Archnemesis

Check out the song "One Holy Truth", at this location.

SCENT OF FLESH previously released two full-length albums — "Roaring Depths of Insanity" (2003, Black Lotus) and "Valour in Hatred" (2004, Firebox) — plus a four-song EP, "Become Malignity" (2005, Firebox).

IRON MAIDEN has been touring in support of its critically acclaimed "A Matter of Life and Death" album since early October when they kicked off the trek in the U.S. (where the album entered the Billboard chart at No 9 and has sold 132,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan). By the end of the tour — which climaxes with two shows at London's Earl's Court Arena on December 22 and 23 — they will have played 44 concerts to half a million fans in 18 countries across North America, Japan and Europe

As a grand finale to the tour, EMI will release what has to be the ultimate MAIDEN tour souvenir on December 26, and is to release the band's first-ever limited-edition digital single.

Commented bassist Steve Harris, "We're having a fantastic time on this tour and the fans everywhere have been absolutely brilliant. The reaction to us playing the entire album from start to finish has been amazing. We're releasing this single with live tracks specially recorded on the tour, and our own version of FOCUS' 'Hocus Pocus' to celebrate all the fun we are having."

This exclusive digital single — a live version of "Different World" recorded during the European tour — will be available for a limited period only and will be deleted upon official release. The digital single can be downloaded day of release, December 26, in MP3 format that is compatible with PC, MP3 player, iPod and Mac. Fans who pre-order this exclusive digital single (and any of the single traditional formats digitally, as listed below) between midnight on Sunday, December 3 and Monday, December 25 will get to hear an exclusive interview with Steve Harris.

This unique offer is only available as a pre-order from the IRON MAIDEN Official Digital Store at www.ironmaiden.com. Pre-orders will be delivered on December 26, when the format will be deleted and no longer available. This exclusive live version is in MP3 format that is compatible with PC, MP3 player, iPod and Mac!

Three traditional collectable formats will be available from local record stores from Tuesday, December 26:

* Two-track CD — special souvenir price of £1.99 with previously unreleased live version of "Iron Maiden"

* Limited-edition 7" picture disc with previously unreleased live version of "Fear Of the Dark"

* Limited-edition DVD single with souvenir poster/2007 calendar. Includes the animated video directed by Howard Greenhalgh, and the previously unreleased live version of "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", and the new studio recording of FOCUS' "Hocus Pocus". There is also a full picture library of live photos from the tour for fans to enjoy.

All singles contain different tour photos, and live songs from "A Matter of Life and Death" European Tour 2006

As a special bonus to fans, Steve Harris' daughter Lauren Harris and her band have been added for all dates from and including Den Bosch Holland on November 26 through to the two nights at Earl's Court, London December 22-23.

Said manager Rod Smallwood: "Lauren supported MAIDEN in Japan on our first two European shows in Denmark and went down really well, so we have added her to the U.K. section of the tour. Lauren will play for about 25 minutes each night prior to TRIVIUM. This will not change the current running times of our shows or the sets played by IRON MAIDEN and TRIVIUM."

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, the new Swedish band featuring former THE CROWN vocalist Johan Lindstrand, entered Deadline studios on October 18 with engineer Valle Adzic to begin recording its new album, "Error in Evolution". The follow-up to the band's debut, "21st Century Killing Machine", is scheduled for release on March 9, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The following update from Lindstrand has been posted on the band's MySpace page:

"There's not much new to say about the album that's not been said before. We've just started to mix the whole thing now and we will have a full master on Friday the 1st of December. And since it's just about mixing we will not give you more studio updates. This is the last one.

"Someone said, 'Do we really have to wait until March next year?' Yeah, I'm afraid so. We're so extremely satisfied with this album and we wanna play it for you now already. That's a shitty situation for sure, haha.

"Other news is that we had a break in the studio and went to do a festival show in Cologne, Germany. It was a small festival with five bands and us headlining. It felt great and we played the 'Christmas' song and also 'The Supreme Butcher' from the upcoming 'Error in Evolution'. People had a great time and we left Cologne with a smile."

Vocalist Stefan Zell of the Swedish melodic/progressive metal band WOLVERINE has issued the following update:

"Me, Mikael [Zell, guitar], Marcus [Losbjer, drums] and Per [Henriksson, keyboards] got together and jammed on some new stuff [last] weekend. After our short U.K. tour with ANATHEMA, we have been taking it real slow in terms of everything related to the band. Now we felt we had to get together again and I'm really glad we did. Marcus came in with a song that we worked on and it turned out really nice. Of course there's a lot more to do before the song is finished but we have the skeleton and it's a really nice skeleton. We also did some improvised jams that lead to some really interesting ideas.

"It feels great to be back in writing mode again and in a way it's the most satisfying part of being in a band. I simply love it!"

WOLVERINE's latest album, "Still", was released in the U.S. in July via Candlelight Records. The CD was recorded in part at Spacelab studio in Tönisvorst, Germany. The follow-up to 2003's "Cold Light of Monday" was produced by Oliver Philipps, Christian "Moschus" Moos and WOLVERINE and was mixed at the end of August 2005.

Norwegian doom band SYRACH has issued the following update:

"Two strong doom tracks being nearly finished as we speak. The new 12-minute song that we did at the gig in England has been titled 'A Mourner's Kiss' and a new Reichborn track influenced by early SABS and '70s prog is probably clocking in on 8-10 minutes. This track is in the working prossess and soon the vocal lines will complete this brilliant song."

SYRACH recently revealed the tentative track listing for its as-yet-untitled new album, tentatively due in early 2007. The CD, which is being produced by Herbrand Larsen from ENSLAVED, will include the following cuts:

01. The Firm Grip Of Death
02. Nine Fallen Men
03. Are You Able To Breathe Fire?
04. Semper Ardens
05. Stigma Diabolikum
06. A Death Tear
07. Come Daemons
08. The Twilight Enigma

Formed in 1993 in Kalandseidet (near Bergen, Norway — a region known to have spawned bands like IMMORTAL and BURZUM, to name a few), SYRACH's current lineup includes two new members: Suleiman on drums and Noralf Venås on guitar.

DIMENSION ZERO — the Swedish band featuring IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad (on bass), ex-MARDUK vocalist Joakim "Jocke" Göthberg, LUCIFERION/DIABOLIQUE drummer Hasse Nilsson, and PATHOS guitarist Daniel Antonsson — has begun recording its third album, tentatively due in early 2007. "At last all the drum tracks are finished," the group writes on its web site. "14 brand new tracks. Feels great to be back in the studio after two years of hybernation. Right now we are preparing for Joakim's arrival a week from now..."

Check out pictures and video footage from the recording studio.

STRATOVARIUS frontman Timo Kotipelto entered Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland in August to begin recording his third solo album, tentatively due in early 2007 via his own label, High and Loud Records. He has just issued the following update on the album's recording sessions:

"Most of the songs are mixed by now. Mikko [Karmila] is about to mix the last song in a couple of weeks and then the music is done. I don't have the title or the artwork yet. We also shot a music video for one of the songs. 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 will include 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."

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal outfit AFTER FOREVER has almost finished the recordings for its new, album for a spring 2007 release via Nuclear Blast Records. Produced by Gordon Groothedde (Dutch studio luminary), the record is believed to be titled "Energized", although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the band itself.

AFTER FOREVER has issued the following update on the album's recording process:

"Recording the choir: Since we were very pleased with the choirs on 'Remagine', we decided to work with the same choir again. After Joost made all the arrangements together with Floor, we had the first two days of November to record everything. Floor, Previn, Amanda and Rannveig came to the studio and after we'd set everything up and spent a little time rehearsing, we got the sound we wanted! We needed some more time to record this time, since the new album has quite a few more choirparts than 'Remagine', and there are also more versatile parts. Again we've managed to get the best out of the choir and we're very satisfied with the result...it sounds even bigger and more powerful than before!

"Recording the Prague Symphonic Orchestra: Since AFTER FOREVER is always searching for new and exciting things to add to our music, we've decided to work with a full symphonic orchestra this time. Since Joost studied arrangements at the conservatory, it was something we could do ourselves, and we could keep it close to our own style of songwriting.

"We got some tips about a famous orchestra in Prague that records a lot of music for Hollywood movies. Their sound was said to be amazing and their professionally in working and recording with bands had been proven. On the 26th and 27th of October, André, Sander, Gordon (Groothedde) and Joost spent two days in the beautiful city of Prague. One day was to enjoy the city and one day to record the orchestra. Both days were great, but of course the day of the recording was what we came for. When the orchestra started to play the arrangements Joost had made for the new songs, we were blown away immediately and we knew that this was going to give us a very cool result...exactly how we had it in mind! It sounded big, epic and very powerful! After we came back from Prague, Joost and Gordon started working on the edits and mixes. This will all be finished shortly. One thing is for sure...we can't wait to play the new songs in their full glory for our fans! And... what happened in Prague, stays in Prague."

AFTER FOREVER's last album was "Remagine", which came out in 2005. The follow-up to 2004's "Invisible Circles" was recorded at Excess studio in Rotterdam, Holland and was mixed by Sascha Paeth and Philip Colodetti at the Gate studio in Wolfsburg, Germany.

AFTER FOREVER's former record label, Transmission Records, recently issued a two-disc compilation album containing the best songs from the band's first ten years of existence, plus previously unreleased material, non-album tracks, alternate takes, rarities and previously unreleased remixed versions. The set, which includes collaborations with such guest musicians as Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Arjen Lucassen and Damian Wilson (AYREON) and Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH), entered the Dutch national album chart at position No. 69 upon its release in June.

CANNIBAL CORPSE will re-release its 1996 masterpiece "Vile" in March 2007. Entitled "Vile Live", the re-release will be part of a two-disc set which will include a bonus DVD containing live footage from the "Vile" era. The bulk of the concert material was filmed using three "old-school Hi8 cameras" on February 3, 1997 at San Francisco's Berkely Square, with four additional tracks shot the following night (February 4, 1997) using only two cameras.

The track listing for the bonus DVD is as follows:

February 3, 1997:

01. Perverse Suffering
02. Stripped Raped and Strangled
03. Covered with Sores
04. Monolith
05. Addicted to Vaginal Skin
06. Force Fed Broken Glass
07. Fucked with a Knife
08. Gutted
09. Bloodlands
10. Shredded Humans
11. Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead
12. A Skull Full of Maggots
13. Devoured by Vermin
14. Hammer Smashed Face

February 4, 1997:

01. Pulverized
02. Puncture Wound Massacre
03. Mummified in Barbed Wire
04. Orgasm Through Torture

Female-fronted Italian goth band THEATRES DES VAMPIRES will release a new double CD, "Desire of Damnation (The Addiction Tour)", in February 2007 via Plastic Head/Blackend. The set will include a CD with the audio version of the recently released DVD (Plastic Head Video) and a separate disc with four new studio songs, three remixes, one special version of a medley featuring "Vampyrica" (2001) and "Suicide Vampire" (2002), performed by the tenor voice Franco Carta (Vampyre Dionysus) and arranged and directed by composer Stefano Lazzoni. To promote this new album, THEATRES DES VAMPIRES will play several shows all around Europe next year. A release party will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at Slimelight in London.

Floridian death metal legends DEICIDE will release a brand new DVD, "Doomsday in L.A.", on January 22, 2007 via Earache. The set, which was filmed using multiple cameras on November 10, 2006 at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, features the group's new lineup of Glen Benton (bass, vocals), Steve Asheim (drums), Jack Owen (guitar; ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE) and Ralph Santolla (guitar; ex-ICED EARTH, DEATH). The bonus material will incorporate exclusive interviews and promo videos, including the recent "Homage for Satan" clip.

"Doomsday in L.A." DVD track listing:

01. Intro
02. Dead By Dawn
03. Once Upon The Cross
04. Scars of the Crucifix
05. The Stench of Redemption
06. Death to Jesus
07. When Satan Rules His World
08. Serpents of the Light
09. They Are The Children Of The Underworld
10. Desecration
11. Bastards of Christ
12. Dead But Dreaming
13. Trifixion
14. When Heaven Burns
15. Walk With the Devil in Dreams You Behold
16. Homage for Satan
17. Kill the Christian
18. Sacrificial Suicide

DEICIDE will embark on a European tour beginning on January 5, 2007 in Eindhoven, Holland.

Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS has split up. The group's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"It is with great regret that we announce that Jonathan [Perez; drums], Kjell [Hagen; bass], Runar [Hansen; guitar] and Kjetil [Nordhus; vocals] yesterday (November 28th, 2006) left TRAIL OF TEARS. The decision was taken with immediate effect, and thus the band does not longer excist. TRAIL OF TEARS will therefore have to cancel all forthcoming shows, including the X-mas [Festivals] tour dates in December, and we sincerely appologize for any inconvenience this might lead to. We would like to thank everybody that has supported the band from the start 10 years ago and of course especially our loyal fans all over the world. There was no longer the neccessary desire and energy left in the band to continue. And everything has an end."

Sydney, Australia-based metallers DAYSEND have issued the following update:

"After almost a month of solitude on the remote grounds of Backbeach Recording Studios in Victoria, Australia, DAYSEND have finished their follow up to 2003's debut album 'Severance', with producer dw Norton once again at the helm. Some tentative track titles include 'This Is A Warning' and 'The Violence Of Silence' and with the addition of Mark McKernan on vocal duties, the new album looks set to make its mark as one of the finest metal release of 2007."

Commented bassist Meredith Webster: "The songs are definitely in a heavier vein than 'Severance', but we have by no means lost the melodic touch. We've had a pretty full on few years, and it was bound to show in our music — the whole writing and recording process has been pretty cathartic for us all. We are going to bleed these tunes when we take to the stage again!"

Finnish pagan folk metal band TURISAS has issued the following update:

"We made our way back home to Finland after a six hour delay due to snowstorms. We had a great time over in the U.K. together with LORDI and the shows were amazing. We will most certainly be back next year, and all of you people who saw us now for the first time are definetly invited to join us then for a more full-scale show.

"We entered Sound Supreme Studios here in Hämeenlinna, Finland this week and are now finally in the process of recording our new album. More on the album and how things are proceeding (+ some general studio madness) can be witnessed in our studio diary which is posted at our UltimateMetal.com discussion forum and will be frequently updated. Use this direct link to go to the studio diary, and while there, feel free to take part in some of the blabbering taking place on our board."

TURISAS' debut album, "Battle Metal", was released in July 2004 through Century Media Records. "Battle Metal" was produced by Terje Refsnes (TRISTANIA, MORGUL) at Sound Suite Studios in Marseiile, France.

TURISAS has been confirmed for next year's edition of the Rock Hard Festival, set to take place May 25-27, 2007 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Finnish symphonic power metallers EXCALION have inked a worldwide licensing deal with Limb Music for the release of their new album, "Waterlines". The follow-up to 2005's "Primal Exhale" was recorded and mixed at Watercastle studio by Arttu Sarvanne and is scheduled for release in February 2007.

"Waterlines" (view artwork at this location) track listing:

01. Wingman
02. Life on Fire
03. Losing Time
04. Ivory Tower
05. I Failed You
06. Arriving as the Dark
07. Streams of Madness
08. Delta Sunrise
09. Between the Lines
10. Soaking Ground
11. Yövartio* (European bonus track)
12. Access Denied (Japanese bonus track)

* = Finnish version of the track "Arriving as the Dark"

The band previously stated about the new CD, "The new songs are very mature both musically and lyrically. The whole band has improved a lot since their debut album in 2005 and the vocals of Jarmo Paakkonen are more impressive than ever. The actual music is fully rich in the songwriting and playing; it isn't prog or power metal anymore; there are strong influences of Euro melodic metal and U.S. hard rock. We could say the band found their 'own sound' for now!"

MANOWAR's Magic Circle Music has announced the signing of German heavy metal act MAJESTY to an exclusive management agreement. MAJESTY was formed in 1997 and has released five albums, with 2006's "Hellforces" being the most recent release. Fronted by vocalist/songwriter Tarek Maghary, the current MAJESTY lineup comprises guitarists Christian Münzner and Björn Daigger, bassist Marcus Bielenberg and drummer Michael Gräter.

MAJESTY's third album, "Hellforces", entered the official German album chart at position No. 100. The follow-up to 2003's "Reign in Glory" was once again produced by Stefan Kaufmann (former ACCEPT drummer, current U.D.O. guitarist) at Roxx studios in Pulheim, Germany.

Danish symphonic black metallers ILLNATH will head back to Borsing Studios shortly to begin recording their third album, entitled "Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom". The graphics will once again be handled by Wilhelm Steiner.

According to ILLNATH, the CD will be released on the group's own label following their 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.