"Nine in Numbers" is the title of a brand new Diary Of Dreams live DVD out on Accession by November 13th. The disc holds concert footage filmed in Magedburg plus an exclusive interview, some backstage insights, a lot of ‘Tour life’ snippets, a kind of ‘making of’ documentary on the band’s foto-shooting in Iceland, a photo-show and much more. The tracklist reads like a best of through the 17 years history of Diary of Dreams career and contains the highlights from their ‘Live Nigredo ‘05’-Tour, including the acoustic version of their hit "AmoK" next to tracks such as "The Curse", "Giftraum" and "Traumtänzer". The DVD is in PAL, Code 0 and comes in a deluxe Digipak with more than 200 minutes of total running time.

Long-running Swedish "dark metal" band GRAVE FLOWERS has issued the following update:

"At the moment we are composing music and making pre-productions for our upcoming third album. As it seems now the music will be darker and more complex. [It] is still too early to say when we will enter the studio."

GRAVE FLOWERS recently parted ways with Finland's Firebox Records. The group's upcoming CD will likely be released through the band's own Khaoz Star Records label.

GRAVE FLOWERS's sophomore CD, "Incarcerated Sorrows", was released in March 2005 via Firebox. Included on the 11-song CD was a cover version of COUNT RAVEN's "Leaving the Warzone", recorded as a tribute to the Swedish doom legends. Cover art was handled by Tuomo Lethonen, who previously worked with SWALLOW THE SUN on their "The Morning Never Came" album.

Belgium's AXAMENTA, the former band of current EPICA bassist Yves Huts, will release its new album, "Ever-Arch-I-Tech-Ture", in Japan on November 22 via Soundholic Co. Ltd.

"Ever-Arch-I-Tech-Ture" was issued in Europe in May via Shiver Records. The CD was recorded at Hansen studio in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (MERCENARY, RAUNCHY, ABORTED) and was mixed and mastered will at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden under the supervision of producer Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, DIMMU BORGIR, THE HAUNTED, OLD MAN'S CHILD). PAIN OF SALVATION singer Daniel Gildenlöw is featured as a guest vocalist on one entire song ("Threnody for an Endling"), for which he wrote the melody and vocal pattern himself.

AXAMENTA began their career by playing doom, fantasy and even death metal, but after a lot of lineup changes, they decided to make a radical shift in their musical style and began experimenting with a more technical and progressive approach. Their love for movie scores also made them replace the keyboards by orchestra samples, which gives them a unique sound in the Belgian metal scene.

AXAMENTA's debut album, "Codex Barathri", was released in 2002 via the LSP Company.

IRON MAIDEN's video for its forthcoming single "Different World" has been posted online at YouTube.com. The clip, which was immediately added to MTV2, will make its television debut on "T-Minus Rock" tomorrow (Monday, October 16). The show airs on MTV2 Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m. The video will also be available for streaming on MTV2.com and via MTV wireless on Monday as well. The stunning animated video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh — best known for SOUNDGARDEN's "Black Hole Sun".

In true MAIDEN style and to satisfy intense fan demand, a series of short action-packed clips from the video were previewed via their web site, www.ironmaiden.com, the week up to Sunday, October 15 when the full promotional clip was exclusively revealed first to their fans before the worldwide premiere on Monday, October 16.

Sanctuary Records will release "Different World" as a single in the U.S. on November 14, featuring Radio 1 Zane Lowe's "Legends" session of "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "The Trooper" as B sides. These tracks have previously been used as B sides to "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", which was released in Europe in August and although it was not eligible for the U.K. chart it reached No 1 in Spain, Sweden, Finland and Hungary.

As previously reported, a 12-minute audio interview with IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, conducted earlier this month by Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF 101.1 FM, has been posted online at this location (Windows Media).

IRON MAIDEN's new album, "A Matter of Life and Death", has sold 106,000 copies in the United States since its Sept. 5 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

PLANET STORM, the brand-new project formed by the guitar duo of Ronny Blylod (DESTYNATION) and Johannes Forsberg (AMETHYST), as announced the addition of vocalist Anders Zackrisson (ex-NOCTURNAL RITES, GOTHAM CITY) to the group's ranks. "Anders will participate on numerous tracks, both with lead and backing vocals," the band writes in a statement. "We're happy to have him onboard this project and believe that his efforts will match Ronny Hemlin's [STEEL ATTACK] fantastic voice in a brilliant way."

Launched in June 2006, PLANET STORM is said to be "a progressive and neo-classical band which will be fronted by two vocalists."

PLANET STORM lineup so far:

Anders Zackrisson (ex-NOCTURNAL RITES, GOTHAM CITY) - Vocals
Ronny Hemlin (STEEL ATTACK) - Vocals
Ronny Blylod (DESTYNATION, ETERNIA) – Guitars
Johannes Forsberg (AMETHYST) - Guitars
Samuel Andersson - Drums
David Lindegren (AMETHYST) - Bass
Daniel Nitsche - Keyboards

Belgian death metallers ABORTED have confirmed rumors that they have parted ways with drummer Gilles Delecroix and bass player Olivia Scemama (ex-NO RETURN, BALROG).

Commented the group: "Being in a band like ABORTED at this point takes a lot of investment and commitment. Right now we are not making money to support members of the band. Every tour is a financial hazard for the band which forces us to keep the small amounts of money we do make on shows to keep as backup if anything goes wrong on tour or any other situation, so that we don't have to pay the bills from our own pockets anymore. The result of this is quite simple: we can't afford to pay band members to play in this band. These conditions are simple facts and didn't work for Gilles and Olivia, which made it quite obvious they couldn't be in the band anymore.

"We would like to welcome Peter Goemaere, who also plays in EMETH as a replacement for Olivia. Peter already performed with the band on a show in Tel Aviv (Israel) where he replaced Olivia who cancelled few days before leaving for Israel.

"The band is currently recording the new album, 'Slaughter & Apparatus: A Methodical Overture' with producer Tue Madsen at the Antfarm in Denmark. Drums on the record have been taken care of by Dave Haley from the band PSYCROPTIC and drums in the upcoming shows this and next year (until a fitting permanent replacement has been found) will be handled by Etienne Galo from the band NEGATIVA. Etienne's first show with the band will be on October 31st in Opwijk, Belgium. The band is currently taking auditions for a new drummer. Serious inquiries can be sent to aborted@telenet.be or avernusstudios@gmail.com.

"The new album is scheduled to be released worldwide mid-February through Century Media Records and features several guest performances by Jeff Walker (CARCASS), Jacob Bredahl (HATESPHERE) and Henrik Jacobsen (HATESPHERE)." The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. The Chondrin Enigma
02. A Methodical Overture
03. Avenious
04. The Spaying Séance
05. And Carnage Basked In Its Ebullience
06. The Foul Nucleus Of Resurrection
07. Archetype
08. Ingenuity In Genocide
09. Odious Emanation
10. Prolific Murder Contrivance
11. Underneath Rorulent Soil

"Besides the regular 11 new tracks, the band also recorded two cover tracks for limited editions or Japanese release, [those] being 'Slaughtered' from PANTERA and 'Surprise! You're Dead' from FAITH NO MORE. The band's first official DVD, 'The Auricular Chronicles' will be released by Listenable Records on October 30th region free and NTSC format."

AFM Records has set a November 24 release date for DORO's "Warrior Soul Winter Edition (20 Years a Warrior Soul)" — a career overview of one of the most successful female hard rock artists of all time. The set will be released in three separate editions:

* The regular "Winter Edition" of "Warrior Soul", which will come with a bonus CD featuring live tracks and a brand new, previously unreleased cut.

* The "20 Years A Warrior Soul" edition containing a high-quality double DVD produced in the currently best and technically most developed DVD9-format. On the first DVD you will get a 90-minute documentary about the the 20-year anniversary show in Düsseldorf with guests like Lemmy (MOTÖRHEAD), Udo Dirkschneider (ACCEPT), Blaze Bayley (ex-IRON MAIDEN), Claus Lessmann and many more. It will also contain a road movie about the "Warrior Soul" tour featuring footage from tour stops in Germany, Spain and Russia, as well as through big festival events (Sweden Rock). The second DVD will feature the entire 180-minute anniversary show from Düsseldorf.

* For all collectors and true fans, there will also be the exclusive, limited-to-1,000 pieces, spectacular "Fan Box" with a special shirt, sticker, and autograph card as well as a "Warrior Soul" snow globe.

A new DRAGONLAND song, entitled "Contact", has been posted online at the group's official Myspace page. The track comes off the Swedish metallers' upcoming fourth album, "Astronomy", due on November 13 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Starfall" was recorded at Studio Fredman (IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL, DIMMU BORGIR) in Gothenburg with producer Fredrik Nordström.

Commented guitarist Olof Mörck: "We're planning to post a few new songs online at MySpace for your previewing pleasure, and first up is 'Contact', a furiously fast metal epic with all the blazing guitar/keyboard playing and soaring vocals you have come to expect from DRAGONLAND through the last six years. This song is a part of the more traditional fast DRAGONLAND sound, though spiced up with really thrashy and down tuned guitars, and is probably a welcome listen for the people who thought the 'Starfall' album was too slow and soft. DRAGONLAND is back stronger than ever before!"

The cover artwork for "Astronomy", has been posted online at this location. Created by art wizard Niklas Sundin (who has previously worked with ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES, and DARK TRANQUILLITY, among others), it "reflects the astronomical theme of the album, with Copernicus surrounded by astronomical instruments and symbols which represent mankinds delving into the utterly dark vistas and the Cyclopean stars, which has been the focal point of awe for millenia and has not only lead to scientific endavours but also baffling myths and foreboading astrology," according to the band.

"Astronomy" final track listing:

01. Supernova (5:09)
02. Cassiopeia (4:06)
03. Contact (4:25)
04. Astronomy (3:20)
05. Antimatter (3:00)
06. The Book of Shadows part IV: The Scrolls of Geometria Divina (4:04)
07. Beethoven's Nightmare (6:11)
08. Too Late for Sorrow (3:36)
09. Direction: Perfection (4:29)
10. The Old House on the Hill Chapter I: A Death in the Family (4:30)
11. The Old House on the Hill Chapter II: The Thing in the Cellar (3:07)
12. The Old House on the Hill Chapter III: The Ring of Edward Waldon (6:17)

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have entered Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström to begin recording their new album for an early 2007 release. The group's guitarist, Silenoz, has issued the following update on the recording process:

"So, just to let you know, everything moves along nicely in the studio, perhaps a bit too well…? With past studio ghost experiences in mind, something is just bound to happen…I'm sure of it. Well, apart from being the typical pessimist, at least it didn't take us too long to get all the basic rhythm guitar tracks down and even better; it sounds awesome! A fat and razor-sharp tone, without compromise, hitting you right between the eyes! Proper equipment — Engl amps, ESP guitars and Seymour Duncan pickups — make things hell of a lot easier, I say. There, some PR for you. Leads/solos and acoustic/clean guitars will be laid down later when everything else is ready. Bass and keys are up next. We expect it to sound nothing less than grandiose once this beast is finished.

"Oh, yeah, almost forgot, we have the album title as well, but we're not gonna announce it until the time is right!"

German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN will release their new DVD, entitled "Völkerball" (cover), in Europe on November 20. It will be made available in the following three formats:

Standard Edition: 1 DVD 140-minute Live Concert + 1 CD 75-minute audio concert footage

Special Edition: 1 DVD 140-minute Live Concert + 1 DVD documentaries 90 minutes + 1 CD 75-minute audio concert footage

Limited Edition: 190-page tour photo book, including all contents of Special Edition + an additional live audio CD!

The complete track listing is as follows:

I. DVD – Live Concerts (part of all editions)

France: Les Arenes de Nimes / July 23, 2005:

01. Reise, Reise
02. Links 2 3 4
03. Keine Lust
04. Feuer Frei!
05. Asche zu Asche
06. Morgenstern
07. Mein Teil
08. Stein um Stein
09. Los
10. Du Riechst So Gut
11. Benzin
12. Du Hast
13. Sehnsucht
14. Amerika
15. Rammstein
16. Sonne
17. Ich Will
18. Ohne Dich
19. Stripped

England: Brixton Academy, London / February 3, 2005 to February 5, 2005:

01. Sonne
02. Rein Raus
03. Ohne Dich
04. Feuer Frei!

Japan: Club Citta, Tokyo / June 3, 2005:

01. Mein Teil
02. Du Hast
03. Ohne Dich
04. Los – Trailer

Russia: Sport Complex Olympiski, Moscow / November 28, 2004:

01. Moskau (Special)


II. Audio CD – Live in Nimes (part of all editions)

01. Intro
02. Reise, Reise
03. Links 2 3 4
04. Keine Lust
05. Feuer Frei!
06. Asche zu Asche
07. Morgenstern
08. Mein Teil
09. Los
10. Du riechst so gut
11. Benzin
12. Du Hast
13. Sehnsucht
14. Amerika
15. Sonne
16. Ich Will

III. Bonus DVD – Documentaries & Interviews (part of Special & Limited Edition ONLY)

* Documentary "Anakonda Im Netz", 60 minutes
* Making of the Album "Reise, Reise", 25 minutes

IV. Audio CDs – Live (part of Limited Edition ONLY)

Audio CD 1

01. Intro
02. Reise, Reise
03. Links 2 3 4
04. Keine Lust
05. Feuer Frei!
06. Asche zu Asche
07. Morgenstern
08. Mein Teil
09. Stein um Stein
10. Los

Audio CD 2

01. Du Riechst So Gut
02. Benzin
03. Du Hast
04. Sehnsucht
05. Amerika
06. Rammstein
07. Sonne
08. Ich Will
09. Ohne Dich
10. Stripped
11. Outro

V. Photo Book (limited Edition ONLY)

* 190 page tour photo-book + all contents of the Special Edition + additional audio CD

RAMMSTEIN's latest album, "Rosenrot", received its long-overdue U.S. release on March 28 via Universal Music. The CD, which was certified platinum in Germany for sales in excess of 200,000 copies within two weeks of release last October, topped the official album chart in Germany, Austria and Finland, and landed at No. 2 in Sweden and Denmark, No. 4 in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, No. 5 in France, No. 6 in Mexico, No. 11 in Italy and No. 29 in the U.K. In addition, "Rosenrot" achieved gold status in Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

RAMMSTEIN's track "Mein Teil" was nominated in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 48th annual Grammy Awards, which were held in Los Angeles in early February.

Swedish black metal titans NAGLFAR have posted the following message on their official web site:

"So we've finally finished writing and arranging all the songs, and the drums for the album has been recorded at the Toontrack studio here in Umeå. Now the time has come to start recording the guitars, which shouldn't turn out to be any problem. The title of the album has been set to be 'Harvest', and will tentatively include the following attacks of audial terror:

01. Into the Black
02. Prayer of Cain
03. The Way of the Rope
04. Harvest
05. Feeding Moloch
06. The Mirrors of My Soul
07. Wargod
08. Plutonium Reveries
09. Odium Generis Humani

"That's all for now. Be sure to check back for further announcements that will be made in the following days."

NAGLFAR's latest album, "Pariah", is available now on Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Sheol" was previously described in a Century Media press release as "a flawless work of iniquitous hell-spawned art filled with raging guitar riffs, bludgeoning drums, demonic vocals, that combine with haunting melodies to capture hell's eternal depravity."

Finnish melodic death/doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN have set "Hope" as the title of their third album, due on February 7, 2007 release via Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Ghosts of Loss" was recorded at Seawolf Studios in Helsinki and was mastered on Oct. 16 at Finnvox studios with Minerva Pappi.

"Hope" track listing:

01. Hope
02. These Hours of Despair
03. The Justice of Suffering
04. Don't Fall Asleep
05. Too Cold For Tears
06. The Empty Skies
07. No Light, No Hope
08. Doomed to Walk the Earth

According to the band, "The album will feature vocal appearance by Jonas Renkse of KATATONIA on 'The Justice of Suffering'. A single of 'Don't Fall Asleep' will be released prior to the album release, and it will include a cover of TIMO RAUTIAINEN AND TRIO NISKALAUKAUS song 'Alavilla mailla', with AMORPHIS singer Tomi Joutsen on vocals."

ANGRA's video for its new single, "The Course of Nature", ahs been posted online at Youtube.com. The clip was filmed in early September in São Paulo under the guidance of director Carina Zaratin.

"The Course of Nature" comes off the band's forthcoming album, "Aurora Consurgens", due on October 24 (one day earlier internationally).

The recordings of "Aurora Consurgens" began in July at the House Of Audio studios in Germany under the guidance of longtime producer Dennis Ward. All the tracking took place at the Via Musique Estúdios, in São Paulo with Thiago Bianchi as the assistant producer. Dennis then flew back to Germany and mixed the material, which was mastered by the renowned Finnish producer Mika Jussila.

"Aurora Consurgens" (view cover here) track listing:

01. The Course Of Nature
02. The Voice Commanding You
03. Ego Painted Grey
04. Breaking Ties
05. Salvation: Suicide
06. Window To Nowhere
07. So Near So Far
08. Passing By
09. Scream Your Heart Out
10. Abandoned Fate

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, the new Swedish band featuring former THE CROWN vocalist Johan Lindstrand, will release its new single, "Christmas for the Lobotomizer", on November 17 via Nuclear Blast. In addition to the title cut, the single will contain the songs "Devil on the Red Carpet", "Hell is for Heroes" and "Bulldozer Frenzy", all recorded live at this year's Summer Breeze festival in Germany. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

Commented Lindstrand: "The cool thing with this is that it will be released on a limited edition of 500 copies and you will only be able to buy it from the Nuclear Blast mailorder, so you must act fast and hard if you want a copy," Lindstrand previously said. "And the most important thing: This brand new ARMY song will only be available on this Christmas single."

To order a copy of "Christmas for the Lobotomizer", click .here

The complete track listing has been revealed for the upcoming reissue of MESHUGGAH's acclaimed 2002 effort, "Nothing", due in the U.S. on October 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The new edition of the album includes re-recorded guitars and comes in a custom-shaped slipcase featuring a 3D hologram card. The CD, which was also remixed and remastered, contains a bonus DVD featuring the band's appearance at the Download 2005 festival and other video clips. Check out the cover artwork at this location

"Nothing" re-release track listing:

CD

01. Stengah
02. Rational Gaze
03. Perpetual Black Second
04. Closed Eye Visuals
05. Glints Collide
06. Organic Shadows
07. Straws Pulled At Random
08. Spasm
09. Nebulous
10. Obsidian

DVD

01. Straws Pulled Random (Live At Download 05)
02. In Death Is Death (Live At Download 05)
03. Future Breed Machine (Live At Download 05)
04. Rational Gaze (Official Video)
05. Shed (Official Video)
06. New Millenium Cyanide Christ (Official Video)
07. Rational Gaze (Mr. Kidman Delirium Version)

MESHUGGAH's latest album, "Catch Thirty Three", was nominated for a Swedish Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock" category. Other nominees were CANDLEMASS ("Candlemass"), HAMMERFALL ("Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken"), HARDCORE SUPERSTAR ("Hardcore Superstar") and OPETH ("Ghost Reveries").

MESHUGGAH last December extended their deal with the publishing company Warner/Chappell Music Scandinavia.

Sacramento-based technical metalcore outfit WITH PASSION has been fervently working to complete tracking for its sophomore Earache release, "What We See When We Shut Our Eyes", at Mana Studios in Florida with Brian Elliott.

Due out in March 2007, "What We See When We Shut Our Eyes" will contain the following tentative track listing:

01. Triumph Over Tragedy
02. Through The Smoke Lies A Path
03. What We See When We Shut Our Eyes
04. Pale Horses Ride
05. Tales Of Sirens
06. Encryption
07. R.J. Mac Ready
08. Forgotten Amongst Screams
09. Vengeance In Departure
10. A Road For The Worthy

WITH PASSION's last Earache release, "In the Midst of Bloodied Soil", was hailed by musical critics as "balancing technically wowing AT THE GATES-style drama-shred with graceful, forlorn instrumental ruminations." WITH PASSION possess a unique disposition and retain youthful energy while delivering mind-blowing, tightly driven musical compositions that rival those of their predecessors.

Finnish metallers DREAMTALE have finished laying down drums for seven songs for their upcoming fourth album, tentatively due in early 2007. The follow-up to 2005's "Difference", will mark the band's first release since the addition of singer Nils "Nisse" Nordling to the group's ranks. A sample of a pre-production version of a new song, entitled "Yesterday's News", has been posted online at this location

Nordling joined the group as the replacement for Jarkko Ahola, who left DREAMTALE in April 2005 to concentrate on his other band, TERÄSBETONI.

AS I LAY DYING vocalist Tim Lambesis has issued the following update:

"In case you are wondering why you haven't heard from us in the last month, we have been hard at work writing songs for our next full-length album. So far the writing process has been very enjoyable. We have four songs done and a couple other songs that are still very rough. Starting on Halloween, we will take a break from songwriting to tour Europe. We're looking forward to it!"

AS I LAY DYING recently re-released their first two recordings, previously out on Pluto Records, via Metal Blade Records. The set includes both a re-recorded and the original version of the band's split CD with AMERICAN TRAGEDY (originally issued in 2002), plus their first album, "Beneath the Encasing of Ashes" (2001).

AS I LAY DYING's third album, "Shadows Are Security", was released in June 2005.

SINNER — the German band featuring PRIMAL FEAR bassist Mat Sinner, his FEAR bandmate Tom Naumann (guitars), Frank Rössler (keyboards), METALIUM's Matte Lange (guitars) and former PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling — is currently at Leon studio near Stuttgart with the engineering team of Achim Köhler and Samson Geiger mixing its new album, entitled "Mask of Sanity", for a January 19, 2007 release through MTM Music.

Commented Sinner: "We're working hard on the new album and started to mix the album on Thursday. After we got a fantastic response regarding the 'Die On Command' video clip, we decided to shoot a new video clip for the brand new track 'Diary Of Evil' soon. 'Diary Of Evil' represents all SINNER traditional trademarks, even the song was penned by Mat and Roy Z. [HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON]!"

SINNER utilized the services of second guitarist Christof Leim of THE TRACEELORDS for the band's October 7 appearance in Reichenbach, Germany alongside PRIMAL FEAR, CHINCHILLA and TARGA.

Polish progressive rock/metal band MOONLIGHT has had the release date of its new album, "Integrated in the System of Guilt", pushed back to November 27 from the previously announced November 6 (via Metal Mind Productions). The CD was recorded in August at the Fonoplastykon studio with engineer Marcin Bors and marks the group's first release with new drummer Krzysztof "Bialy" Medrala (BODY MIND RELATION).

Commented guitarist Andrzej Kutys: "The album is heavy and powerful but also lyrical, psychedelic and disco-like; it is full of noises as well as beautiful melodies. The songs interleave, thus creating a musical whole. Also, you are in for a big surprise as, for the first time in the band's history, we have a guest on the album! Adam Sypula from CTRL-ALT-DEL joined Maja on vocals in one track. In our opinion, it is the best MOONLIGHT album."

"Integrated in the System of Guilt" track listing:

01. Slice
02. Recovering
03. Come With Me
04. Noom
05. For Better Days
06. Not My Politics
07. Reset
08. Redrum

MOONLIGHT's current lineup:

Maja Konarska - Vocals
Andrzej Kutys - Guitar
Michal Podciechowski - Bass Guitar
Kuba Maciejewski - Keyboards
Krzysztof Medrala – Drums

Former MASTERPLAN drummer Uli Kusch has commented on his departure from the band, explaining that "we haven't inspired each other anymore," according to a press release. "And without inspiration it is not possible anymore to make music together."

Uli will concentrate on his new band BEAUTIFUL SIN with plans to release a new album in 2007.

MASTERPLAN recently announced the addition of singer Mike DiMeo (RIOT, THE LIZARDS) and drummer Mike Terrana (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, AXEL RUDI PELL, METALIUM, RAGE) to its ranks. The band also began recording its third album — the group's first without singer Jorn Lande, who announced his departure in early May. A February 2007 release via AFM Records is expected.

According to a statement released by MASTERPLAN in May, Lande's exit was caused by increased "musical differences" between the vocalist and the rest of the band. During the songwriting process for the group's third album, it became increasingly apparent that the other members of the band had different visions and plans for the group's musical direction. While Jorn wanted MASTERPLAN to follow a more melodic path, the rest of the band wanted to return to the metallic roots of their debut album.

The band's final show with Lande took place on August 8 at Lokersefeesten in Belgium.

MASTERPLAN's new lineup will make its live debut as the support act for SAXON on their upcoming European, set to take place next spring.

Reunited Austrian black metallers ABIGOR have uploaded an exclusive studio outtake from their upcoming album "Fractal Possession" at the band's Myspace page. "It's a studio outtake of two songs, not mixed, nor mastered, but you'll have an approximate view what could await you..." the group writes.

As previously reported, ABIGOR's "Orkblut - The Retaliation" mini-CD, which was originally issued in 1994 via Napalm Records, will be released on vinyl and as a limited-edition picture disc on November 6 through Chaos Sacrum Records.

ABIGOR's current lineup includes mainman Peter Kubik and co-founding member T.T.

Swedish black metallers MARDUK have announced plans to play select shows in Russia, Belarus and Ukraina in January 2007. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

As previously reported, MARDUK has added the first part of its "Fan Gallery", featuring pictures sent in by fans showing their MARDUK-related tattoos and other items. Check it out at this location.

MARDUK has uploaded a trailer for its recently issued DVD, entitled "Blood Puke Salvation", at this location (8 MB). Released on September 25, the DVD contains over 90 minutes of live material filmed in Tilburg, Holland and Antwerpen, Belgium during December 2004. Also included are promotional videos for "Throne Of Rats", "Steel Inferno" and "The Hangman Of Prague", plus a photo gallery, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and a section entitled "Deathmarch" with exclusive hand-filmed live material from over 20 cities from the "Deathmarch" tour.

Swedish "gothic metallers" BESEECH have announced their decision to split up. The group has issued the following statement on the matter:

"All of us in the band have come to the sad conclusion to put BESEECH to rest for good. The decision has not been easy because this has been a really big part of our personal lives for many years. We have met so many great people through the music and really loved what we have done. We are proud of the work that we have achieved.

"However we cannot hide from the fact that we have grown apart from each other as persons and we have different views of how we want BESEECH to work as a band. This has taken away all the inspiration to continue and we see this as the only solution in the end. This way we can all part as friends and wish each other good luck with new endeavors that will follow.

"We would like to thank all of our fans, fan clubs and other people that has helped and supported BESEECH in their own way. Without you, we would never have lasted this long.

"We feel that our fans and everybody else that has supported us deserve to get a last chance to see BESEECH live and meet up with us in person. Therefore we´re planning to make one or a few farewell gigs in a near future for you all!"

BESEECH's final release was their fifth album, "Sunless Days", which came out in September 2005 through Napalm Records.

The follow-up to 2004's "Drama", "Sunless Days" was recorded at StudioMega in Varberg, Sweden and included a a cover of the DANZIG track "Devil's Plaything" as well as a re-recording of the song "Manmade Dreams" (on the digipack version only) from BESEECH's second album, "Black Emotions".

Sweden's THERION has set "Gothic Kabbalah" as the title of its new album, due on January 16, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

THERION will team up with GRAVE DIGGER and SABATON for European tour beginning on January 17 in Essen, Germany. A complete list of tour dates can be found at the THERION web site.

THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson recently announced that he was stepping down as the band's vocalist. Christofer will continue to handle guitar duties for the group.

THERION will play with a full symphonic orchestra, choir and international opera stars on December 9, 2006 at the Palace Hall in Bucharest, Romania.