German metallers SACRED STEEL recently shot their very first video for the song "Maniacs of Speed". The tracks comes off the group's sixth album, "Hammer of Destruction", due on November 10 via Massacre Records.

The CD was recorded at the Spiderhouse studio in Lütte (near Berlin) with legendary producer Harris Johns (VOIVOD, HELLOWEEN, ST. VITUS, DEPRESSIVE AGE, SODOM, KREATOR). Mixing took place at the Music Lab Studio at the heart of the German capital.

"Hammer of Destruction" track listing:

01. Hammer of Destruction
02. Where Demons Dare to Tread
03. Impaled by Metal
04. Maniacs of Speed
05. Pounding Inferno
06. Children of the Spirit
07. Hell Insanity
08. Unholy Majesty
09. Blood and Thunder
10. Plague of Terror
11. Sword and Axes
12. The Torch of Sin
13. Generally Hostile (JAG PANZER cover)

German thrashers HOLY MOSES have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Unfortunately, we have to let you know that our bass player Ozzy [Robert 'Ozzy' Frese] had to go into a psychiatric clinic unexpected. As soon as Ozzy is back on his feet, he will be back in the band again, but for now we don't have any idea when this will be.

"When we got the first impressions that this problem could appear, we asked Maurer (ex-WARPATH, TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD) if he could replace Ozzy, just in case. But unfortunately Mauer let us know just a couple of days ago that he couldn't the job on personal ground. He just couldn't combine being in the band with his regular job, which he recently accepted after a long period of being unemployed.

"Ozzy's situation went backwards so fast that finally last Tuesday he had to go into the clinic very urgently. A lot of friends offered us their help. We have been talking to more than 10 bass players, who all really would have liked to take over the job for the time being. But unfortunately due to gig obligations with their own bands, family reasons or just because of holiday absence, they just couldn't do it.

"Yesterday we got an offer from GAMMA RAY bass player and good friend Dirk, but he stated that even for a professional musician it's hardly impossible to learn the HOLY MOSES material within 24 hours. It's just too much and too complicated to do that within just a few hours.

"Yesterday we had to make decisions what to do and we were talking to the promoters by phone. They told us that they would appreciate it very much, if we could show up anyhow, in spite of the fact we would use a computer-bass instead. As we only have one guitar player in the band, the bass-problem just had to be solved by using a computer. "Since yesterday afternoon, we bought the equipment needed for the job and Michi our guitarist recorded all the bass parts in the computer system. Our drummer Asgard was responsible for programming the click tracks.

"We did all we could just to avoid that we had to cancel the shows this weekend. For the upcoming shows we will definitely have a bass player found, who will be capable to learn our songs within two weeks. We will work with two bass players, just in case one has to perform with his own band while having a HOLY MOSES show. No show will be cancelled and we are looking forward to this very moment when Ozzy will be back in the band. Ozzy, we'll be waiting for you! Thanks a lot for all the fan mails that reached us and supported and made us pull through the solution with the bass-computer!

"Ozzy, please get well soon!!!"

NEVERMORE filmed its headlining performance Friday night (August 25) at the Studio Seven in Seattle, Washington for the band's first-ever DVD, tentatively due in early 2007. The group's setlist for the show was as follows (NOTE: With the exception of the first and last songs, the tracks are not necessarily listed in the exact order in which they were played):

01. Final Product
02. Next In Line
03. Enemies of Reality
04. Matricide
05. What Tomorrow Knows
06. The Garden of Gray
07. Inside Four Walls
08. This Godless Endeavor
09. The River Dragon Has Come
10. I, Voyager
11. Dead Heart in a Dead World
12. Born
13. My Acid Words
14. Narcosynthesis

As previously reported, NEVERMORE's September 12, 2006 concert at the Zeche club in Bochum, Germany will also be filmed for the DVD. The Seattle-based metallers will play a set of about two hours, featuring material spanning their 11-year career. The result will be the main part of their forthcoming home DVD, captured by a seven-camera team, with live recordings (in 5.1 Surround Sound) handled by producer Andy Sneap, who produced the band's latest album, "This Godless Endeavor". The planned double-DVD set will also contain a full NEVERMORE documentary, live footage from throughout the band's career, all of their promotional videos and more extras. Only 666 tickets will be available for the Bochum show.

NEVERMORE guitarist Steve Smyth (ex-TESTAMENT) was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure last fall, the result of a congenital birth defect. JAG PANZER guitarist Chris Broderick filled in for Smyth on all European festival dates, just as he has done on the band's recent U.S. tour and last night's show in Seattle.

NEVERMORE's bass player and one of the founding members Jim Sheppard recently underwent a minor procedure for Crohn's Disease, a condition he's managed for over 15 years. Unable to perform with the band during the first part of their recent tour with IN FLAMES, Sheppard was temporarily replaced by longtime friend James MacDonough (ex-MEGADETH, ICED EARTH).

NEVERMORE will be supporting DISTURBED across Europe this fall. After their touring activity the band will be taking time off to write the follow-up to last year's critically acclaimed album "This Godless Endeavor".

Warrel Dane is collaborating with former SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers on material for Dane's first solo album. The CD is expected to include an appearance by Warrel's former SANCTUARY (pre-NEVERMORE) bandmate Dave Budbill (currently in ZEROCREEP) on drums. No information is presently available regarding the album's musical direction or possible release date.

Bassist Jan Bünning of the German power metallers PARAGON has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Recordings [for the new PARAGON album] started and Martin [Christian] already laid down pilot guitars for six songs. Three plus one more to record as there will be nine PARAGON songs on the album as well as one cover song. Ah — I forgot to mention that there will also be a short instrumental track as well; we've never done one before! We will take recordings easy this time as we agreed on some kind of 'flat rate' with our engineer Steve to record the album. When Martin is done with the pilot guitars Chris [Gripp] will do his drums and after that I am the one to record my bass. Then Martin and Günny [Kruse] will enter the studio again to record the 'real' guitars before we then change the studio to record Buschi's [Andreas Babuschkin] vocals and mix the whole album. I still can't announce the the producer but I guess some of you already know who it is. Just a hint: He sings, plays guitar and has red hair..."

As previously reported, PARAGON has set "Gangland" as the working title of its new album. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Hammer of the Gods", "Souleaters", "Gangland", "Forgotten Prophecies", "Face of Death", "Halls of Doom" and "Agony".

PARAGON's latest album, "Revenge", was released in the U.S. in April 2005 via Magick Records. The CD was the follow-up to "The Dark Legacy", which was released in 2003 by Remedy.

DYING FETUS has posted the following message on its official web site:

"We are pleased to announce that we will be heading into the studio to record the long-anticapted follow-up to 'Stop at Nothing' [2003]. We will be recording at Hit & Run Studios in Rockville, MD in mid-September. We look forward to getting back into the swing of things. More info to come on that as we progress on it. We are also very excited to announce that we will be heading off on a full U.S. tour in support of CANNIBAL CORPSE starting in November."

Joining CANNIBAL CORPSE and DYING FETUS on the upcoming tour will be NECROPHAGIST and UNMERCIFUL.

DYING FETUS recently announced the addition of drummer Duane Timlin (ex-DIVINE EMPIRE) to the group's ranks.

Songtitles set to appear on the upcoming DYING FETUS CD include "Parasites of Catastrophe", "Unadulterated Hatred", "Raping the System" and "The Ancient Rivalry".

News.com.au reports that GUNS N' ROSES' "Sweet Child O' Mine" and VAN HALEN's "Eruption" were selected as two of the tracks with the best guitar solos of all time. PINK FLOYD's "Comfortably Numb" topped the list, with "Sweet Child O' Mine" following in second place. Third was "Freebird" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD, while "Eruption" by VAN HALEN was fourth and GUNS N' ROSES' "November Rain" fifth. LED ZEPPELIN classic "Stairway to Heaven" was in sixth place.

British radio station Planet Rock asked listeners to come up with a top 40.

Top 20 best guitar solos, according to Planet Rock listeners:

01. PINK FLOYD - "Comfortably Numb"
02. GUNS N' ROSES - "Sweet Child O' Mine"
03. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - "Freebird"
04. VAN HALEN - "Eruption"
05. GUNS N' ROSES - "November Rain"
06. LED ZEPPELIN - "Stairway to Heaven"
07. DIRE STRAITS - "Sultans of Swing"
08. JETHRO TULL - "Aqualung"
09. THE EAGLES - "Hotel California"
10. DEEP PURPLE - "Child In Time"
11. QUEEN - "Brighton Rock"
12. JIMI HENDRIX - "All Along The Watchtower"
13. DEEP PURPLE - "Highway Star"
14. WISHBONE ASH - "Throw Down The Sword"
15. OZZY OSBOURNE - "No More Tears"
16. CREAM - "Crossroads"
17. GUNS N' ROSES - "Paradise City"
18. LED ZEPPELIN - "Since I've Been Loving You"
19. TEN YEARS AFTER - "I'm Going Home (Woodstock)"
20. JIMI HENDRIX - "Voodoo Chile"

Launch Radio Networks reports: Robert Plant's post-LED ZEPPELIN career will get boxed on November 14 with the release of "Nine Lives" (cover). The package will have all of Plant's solo albums, as well as a DVD with music videos, interviews, and bonus footage.

Each of the albums — "Pictures At Eleven" (1982), "The Principle Of Moments" (1983), "The Honeydrippers Volume One" (1984), "Shaken 'N' Stirred" (1985), "Now And Zen" (1988), "Manic Nirvana" (1990), "Fate Of Nations" (1993), "Dreamland" (2002), and "Mighty Rearranger" (2005) — have been remastered, and they're now expanded with rare and unreleased live and studio tracks.

The DVD has 20 music videos, live performance footage, and a career-spanning interview with Plant, as well as interviews with friends including Phil Collins, singer-songwriter Tori Amos, tennis star John McEnroe, and former Atlantic Records President Ahmet Ertegun, among others.

The only show on Plant's itinerary is The Sunflower Jam, a benefit in London on September 14 that will also feature DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice and former PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord.

Audio samples of all 12 tracks that appear on MOTÖRHEAD's new album, "Kiss of Death", are available at this location.

Due on August 29 via Sanctuary Records, "Kiss of Death" was recorded at the Paramount studios in Los Angeles with Cameron Webb, who also worked with the group on their last effort. The CD includes guest appearances by POISON guitarist C.C. Deville and ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Inez.

"It's better than 'Inferno', and 'Inferno' seems to be the favorite of the later years so far," MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy said. "It's better songs. Better arrangements and a better performance from me vocally, and a better performance from Phil Campbell on the guitar; he plays great on the songs."

"Kiss of Death" track listing:

01. Sucker
02. One Night Stand
03. Devil I Know
04. Trigger
05. Under The Gun
06. God Was Never On Your Side
07. Living In The Past
08. Christine
09. Sword of Glory
10. Be My Baby
11. Kingdom of the Worm
12. Going Down

From the where-are-they-now file comes this item: former CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Bob Rusay is now a golf teacher in Arizona! On his USGTF.com profile, Rusay doesn't mention the band he was in, only that "we had put together three full-length albums and toured the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Canada several times and were featured in the movie 'Ace Ventura, Pet Detective'."

Bob Rusay played on CANNIBAL CORPSE's first three full-length albums: "Eaten Back to Life" (1990), "Butchered at Birth" (1991) and "Tomb of the Mutilated" (1992).

Anders Teglund (keyboards and electronics) and Magnus Lindberg (drums) of Sweden's CULT OF LUNA will put a special song for streaming/downloading on the CULT OF LUNA MySpace profile. The track, which is described by the band as "'Marching to the Heartbeats' in a quite different form," will be uploaded on Sunday, August 27 at noon CET time (6:00 a.m. EST / 3:00 a.m. PST). It will stay up for exactly one week, and after that, "will never be given out again!"

CULT OF LUNA's fourth sonic outing, "Somewhere along the Highway", came out in April via Earache Records. The album was made available in the following formats: digipak CD, regular CD, and limited edition 2 x 12" vinyl LP.

MASTERPLAN members Uli Kusch (drums) and Roland Grapow (guitar; both ex-HELLOWEEN) have started the recordings for the band's third album. According to a posting on Kusch's web site, a replacement for singer Jorn Lande, who announced his departure from the group in early May, will be confirmed soon. The band's final show with Lande took place on August 8 at Lokersefeesten in Belgium.

According to a statement released by the band in May, Lande's departure 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.

Jorn recently released fourth solo album, "The Duke". The CD — which entered the Norwegian national album at position No. 54 — was produced by Lande and PAGAN'S MIND guitarist Jörn Viggo Lofstad, and was mixed at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark by Tommy Hansen.

In related news, reunited German progressive-thrashers MEKONG DELTA, which feature Kusch in their ranks, completed the drum recordings for 11 new songs at Kusch's studio in Norway. A vocalist for the group — which also includes Ralf Hubert (bass) and Peter Sjöberg (guitar; also known as Peter Lake from THEORY IN PRACTICE) — has not yet been named.

Inspired by the innovative spirit of legendary musician Jimi Hendrix, Hendrix Electric Vodka is a super-premium spirit offering the smooth flavor and purity of true vodka. The 100% grain, carbon and crystal filtered vodka is presented in original colored glass bottles that are nothing short of fine art. Hendrix Electric Vodka is hand-crafted by Master Distiller Bill Scott of Idaho's Distilled Resources, Inc. The 100% grain vodka marries the finest selection of corn and rye from Idaho and Utah, with natural Rocky Mountain spring water. Distilled through four pristine stainless steel columns, Hendrix Electric Vodka is filtered through carbon and crystal, resulting in true vodka of unparalleled flavor and purity. Coming fall 2006: Hendrix Electric Vodka Pomegranate and Hendrix Electric Vodka Habanero.

For more information, visit www.houseofhendrix.com.

Swedish "heavy doom progressive" metallers MORGANA LEFAY have entered Soundcreation studio in Bollnäs, Sweden to begin recording the follow-up to 2005's "Grand Materia", tentatively due in late 2006/early 2007 via Black Mark Records. A "studio diary" keeping track of the band's progress has been launched on its official forum.

MORGANA LEFAY recently announced the addition of drummer Pelle Åkerlind (LEDNOTE, ROCK TOOLS) to the group's ranks. The band's latest album, "Grand Materia", was a concept CD about Nicholas Flamel, a 14th-century alchemist who supposedly lived on forever.

Reactivated Swedish black metallers SHINING have issued the following statement regarding the widespread rumors that the group's leader, Niklas Kvarforth, has committed suicide:

"There have been many rumours saying that our front-man, founder Kvarforth is dead. We wish these speculations to be put to an end by telling you what we know: A couple of days ago, we received a letter from a person very close to Kvarforth telling us that Kvaforth had decided to leave this world behind and also introducing as a kind off last will, a new singer to replace him for future events of SHINING.

"All that we know for 200% is that Kvarforth has been missing for the past four weeks and might be dead; we don't really know. For us, the band, this comes as no surprise, as he has been suffering from extreme anxiety and depressions the past six months and some truly extreme things, considering his own personal life, occurred dramatically right before he disappeared. However, we wish to send our deepest regrets to our friend and sadistical leader Kvarforth wherever he might be!

"Kvarforth did, as mentioned, involve a new singer in the band without telling us before he left. His name is Ghoul and will be introduced on the release show we are holding in December. No one of us, the band members, have meet him yet but a contact have been established via letter exchange, and as this was Kvarforth's own will, we are now officially presenting our newest member, whoever this might be, Ghoul. It shall also be said that both me and the guys in the band have heard Kvarforth's wish that SHINING should get a new singer if he died or disappeared but we never thought that it would come to this point! But it has so we welcome Ghoul to this misery."

New England metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have set "As Daylight Dies" as the title of their new album, due on November 21 via Roadrunner Records.

"It's the softest thing we've ever done," bassist Mike D'Antonio joked to MTV.com from a cell phone in England, where this weekend, the Ozzfest veterans will be taking the stages of the Reading and Leeds festivals. "They were calling us metalcore for a long time, and now we're going to have to add another word — like emo metalcore. We'll need to create yet another genre, and people will start wearing dresses after listening to this thing."

"There was really hardly any thought put into it at all," he recalled. "It just came out and we hadn't written in so long that everyone had a lot to contribute. It felt more like the sessions for [2002's] 'Alive or Just Breathing', where everyone was contributing, and everyone had a say. That is more, to me, what the KILLSWITCH style is. But, it is the typical line that everyone gives you — that this is a heavier album — but it kind of is. It's definitely way heavier. There are still the melodic choruses here and there, and there's a lot to latch onto. But it's heavy."

"As Daylight Dies" is the result of more than a month and a half in the studio with KILLSWITCH guitarist and one of metal's "it" producers, Adam Dutkiewicz (UNDEROATH, ALL THAT REMAINS). Dutkiewicz will also be mixing the record, which will feature a dozen songs, including "This Is Absolution", "For You" and the title track.

Former NIGHTWISH vocalist Tarja Turunen has revealed the track listing for her new Christmas album, entitled "Henkäys Ikuisuudesta" (Breath From Heaven). The complete song list, which includes selections from JOHN LENNON and ABBA, can be found at this location.

"Henkäys Ikuisuudesta" is scheduled for release in Finland, Argentina and through the webshop at Turunen's official web site before the end of the year.

In April 2006, Turunen revealed she had signed a deal with Universal Music for her solo debut, tentatively due in 2007.

Launch Radio Netwokrs reports: After successful tours of Europe, Japan, and North America, it looks like QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS have decided to continue their working relationship with some new material.

A message on QUEEN guitarist Brian May's web site reads, "We will be heading into the studio in October... There was an intent there for a while, but we have all been busy picking up our lives in different ways... but now it really looks as if we are on... We will take it gently at first, the priority being to feel good, and put ourselves in the mood to create." More information is forthcoming, and it should be noted that a source close to Rodgers didn't deny May's story.

May also said the October sessions would be held "at a secret location," and, while that location hasn't been announced, it's worth noting that Rodgers and his band, which includes former HEART guitarist Howard Leese, have booked a U.K. tour for October.

There are no plans for May and QUEEN drummer Roger Taylor to join Rodgers onstage. May said, "It will be good to see the Paul Rodgers we all grew up with, doing his own material, from FREE to BAD COMPANY and THE FIRM, plus, I'm sure, a good helping of the pure blues material which is such a main artery of Paul's music."

Groundbreaking Japanese act SIGH entered the studio today in Japan to commence work on its seventh album, titled "Hangman's Hymn", due out in 2007 on The End Records. The band will be working with engineer Takamichi Osada at Studio Moopies and will produce the album themselves.

About the new album, SIGH frontman/leader Mirai Kawashima says, "It'll definitely be by far the best album by us. The album is going to be the fastest, the most violent and the most symphonic ever recorded by SIGH!" He describes the sound as, "thrash-metal-meets-German-symphonies! Fast, heavy, bombastic and majestic!"

The final tracklisting for the album is:

Act 1:

01. Introitus/Kyrie
02. Inked in Blood
03. Me-Devil

Act 2:

04. Dies Irae/The Master Malice
05. The Memories as a Sinner
06. Death with Dishonor
07. In Devil's Arms

Act 3:

08. Overture/Rex Tremendae/I saw the World's End
09. Salvation in Flame/Confutatis
10. Finale: Hangman's Hymn/In Paradisum/Das Ende

Click here to preview a pre-production quality medley of material from the forthcoming album.

MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister is among the artists who were interviewed for the "Thunderfingers: A Tribute to the Legendary John Entwistle" DVD, due on October 31 via MVD Visual. This DVD features legendary bass player John Entwistle of THE WHO in a personal and in-depth interview at his home in Quarwood, Cotswolds U.K. — the last before his untimely death. It captures John's charisma, humor and passion for his unique style of playing. He shows his unique collection of rare guitars to interviewer Gordon Giltrap and talks about his special moments with his bandmates during his career. Voted "Bass Player of the Millennium," John's tributes are many as featured in the moving interviews of Lemmy, Rick Wakeman, Bill Curbishley (manager, THE WHO), Philip Spalding, Dave Lambert (THE STRAWBS), Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (STEELY DAN) and his family.

For more information, click here.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's classic debut, "Doomsday for the Deceiver", will be reissued as a "Special Edition" by Metal Blade Records on October 31. The original album was produced by Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM and is the group's sole release to feature then-bassist Jason Newsted before he joined METALLICA as the replacement for Cliff Burton.

The package will include the "Doomsday for the Deceiver" LP in its original form plus a remixed version of the album. Bonus material will include the following:

"Iron Tears" demo:

01. Iron Tears
02. I Live You Die

"Metal Shock" demo:

1. Hammerhead
2. Evil Shark
3. I Live You Die
4. The Beast Within

The DVD wil include the following:

The Early Years:

01. High School Interview Take 1 - 1983-84
02. Iron Tears - Live at Palace West, New Year's 1984
03. High School Interview Take 2 - 1983-84
04. Hammerhead - Live in Jason's Apartment - 1985
05. She Took an Axe - Live - 1985

Live at Bootleggers 1985:

01. Iron Tears
02. Fade To Black
03. Metal Shock
04. She Took an Axe
05. Children of the Night (unreleased)
06. The Executioner (unreleased)
07. Those Who Defy (unreleased)
08. On The Attack (unreleased)
09. I Live You Die
10. Hammerhead
11. The Beast Within

* Photo history of the band

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's "Live In Japan" DVD was released in February via Crash Music, Inc. The disc was filmed over three shows in Japan in January of 2004.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's latest album, "Dreams of Death", is available now on Crash Music, Inc. The CD was engineered by Tom Giatron and produced by FLOTSAM AND JETSAM and Tom Giatron at Genesis Studios in Phoenix. Travis Smith did the cover art.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM was formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 by Newsted. The group's current lineup consists of Eric A.K. (vocals), Jason Ward (bass), Ed Carlson (guitar), Craig Nielsen (drums) and Mark Simpson (guitar).

Death metallers HATE ETERNAL will release their first-ever DVD, "The Perilous Fight", on October 16, 2006. The DVD features artwork from Paul Romano (MASTODON, TRIVIUM) and also includes a blistering live set filmed at The Garage in London on June 4, 2006, with a live audio mix by HATE ETERNAL frontman Erik Rutan.

"The Perilous Fight" delves deep into the life of one of death metal's most influential bands, with Erik Rutan, Randy Pir and Reno Kiilerich sharing their thoughts on HATE ETERNAL so far in an exclusive 20-minute interview filmed immediately following the June 2006 London show.

Exhibiting sheer metal mastery, this DVD is overloaded with bonus features including a guided tour of Mana Studios in Florida by Rutan himself and three promotional videos from the band, including the exclusive unreleased "The Victorious Reign", directed by Shane Drake (PANIC! AT THE DISCO, TRIVIUM, HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS).

Fans of HATE ETERNAL should be sure to grab their own copy of this unstoppable metal chaos when it is released on October 16. The full track listing of "The Perilous Fight" will run as follows:

Main Feature:

01. Two Demons
02. Servants Of The Gods
03. The Victorious Reign
04. Dogma Condemned
05. I, Monarch
06. Behold Judas
07. The Obscure Terror
08. To Know Our Enemies
09. Powers That Be
10. By His Own Decree
11. Sons Of Darkness
12. King Of All Kings

Promo Videos:

01. The Powers That Be
02. I, Monarch
03. The Victorious Reign

Bonus Features:

* HATE ETERNAL interview
* Behind the Scenes at Mana Studios

Vitamin Records has set an October 10 release date for "Scorched Earth Orchestra Plays Metallica's Master of Puppets", an orchestral tribute to METALLICA's classic 1986 album.

"Master of Puppets" came out in the spring of 1986 and was METALLICA's first gold album and mainstream success. It featured staples of the band's live set such as "Battery", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and the title track.

It was also the last METALLICA album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed later that year in a tour bus crash.

A description of "Scorched Earth Orchestra Plays Metallica's Master of Puppets" reads as follows: "Vitamin Records celebrates the 20th anniversary of this incredibly influential album. Highlighting and building upon the epic 'Master of Puppets' themes, THE SCORCHED EARTH ORCHESTRA have fleshed out the entire album in this sprawling tribute. The full orchestral sound adds necessary weight while new sounds emerge from between METALLICA's notes. This is a true celebration of 'Master of Puppets' and a welcome addition to any collection."

Check out the cover artwork for "Scorched Earth Orchestra Plays Metallica's Master of Puppets" at this location.

According to a posting on MERCENARY's official web site, Selkirk, New York-based band SOUL INCISION has posted its acoustic version of MERCENARY's "11 Dreams" on the group's official MySpace page. The track is also available for download from MERCENARY's site.

As previously reported, a MERCENARY e-card, featuring tour dates and details of the band's new album, "The Hours That Remain" (including a preview of the bonus DVD that comes along with the CD), can be accessed at this location. The follow-up to 2004's "11 Dreams", which was released in Europe on August 21 via Century Media Records, was produced by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, COMMUNIC, MAROON, HATESPHERE) and features artwork by Travis Smith (DEATH, KATATONIA, OPETH). Guest musicians on the CD include SOILWORK's Björn "Speed" Strid and HEAVEN SHALL BURN's Marcus Bischoff. The album is available in two different formats: standard jewel case CD and limited-edition CD+DVD containing an exclusive bonus DVD filled with 120 minutes of "Making of" documentary and live footage.

U.K. gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST have inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. In a career that has spanned over 17 years, PARADISE LOST has sold a staggering two million albums worldwide.

Century Media European Label Manager Antje Lange commented on the signing: "We feel very honored to welcome PARADISE LOST to The Century Family. PARADISE LOST are an extremely influential band with the creative potential for a very bright future. As their new record label, we look forward to working to expand their global fan base."

After reviewing several offers, PARADISE LOST chose to sign to Century Media worldwide. Vocalist Nick Holmes states, "It's great to be on a label with so many metal bands and such a heritage. This worldwide deal will give us a chance to have a crack at the U.S."

GUN/Sony/BMG in Europe and Abacus Recordings in the U.K. and the U.S released the band's last album, "Paradise Lost". Century Media Records will be re-releasing the album in the U.K. and U.S.

Currently in pre-production with producer Rhys Fulber for their as-yet-untitled 11th album, the band will embark on a U.K. tour with OPETH in November. After the live dates, the band is planning to record their new album in Bradford, Lincolnshire and Canada in late November/December with a release tentatively scheduled for spring 2007.

MESS, the Finnish heavy metal band featuring bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-STRATOVARIUS), drummer Atte Sarkima (AJATTARA, VERENPISARA), vocalist Tommi "Tuple" Salmela (TAROT, CARDIANT) and guitarist Elias Viljainen (E.VIL), is currently working on its first EP, tentatively due before the end of the year.

MESS previously described its music as "very riff-oriented metal, occationally like BLACK SABBATH and PANTERA, but still very unique sounding. With raw vocals occasionally reaching very high notes and screaming guitar leads that will drill a hole in your skull as the drum and bass will continuously keep on that outrageous beat..."

MESS was originally formed in 2001 but went on hiatus the following year after Jari and Atte were unable to find the right singer for the project.

Long-running Swedish metallers ENTOMBED have issued the following update:

"The 'When In Sodom' EP was extremely well received, more than any other Entombed record, boosting both interest and sales in Europe, so we thank each and every one who got their hands on a copy.

"'When In Sodom' is yet to be released in Scandinavia,(September 18) and USA, (November 14) to coincide with the west coast dates with GRAVE and DISMEMBER, 1-16 December. We need to get those extra kicks in to pave the way before we unleash the highly anticipated full length studio album — 'Serpent Saints'. In the meantime, ENTOMBED will tour Scandinavia and USA on the EP; in November the mighty Masters Of Death tour will pulverize Europe, and then we will launch the masterpiece in February/March 2007. It will be worth the wait!"

ENTOMBED's new album was recorded at Soundland studio in Upplands Väsby, Sweden. The CD is the group's first without the contributions of guitarist Uffe Cederlund, who left the band in September 2005.

As previously reported, drummer Peter Stjärnvind left ENTOMBED in order to concentrate on his membership in the Swedish cult act NIFELHEIM. NIFELHEIM guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt (a.k.a. Vengeance from Beyond; also in NECROPHOBIC) told BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "No bad breakup or anything personal between him/us and the guys in ENTOMBED, but heavy touring didn't fit his situation right now." ENTOMBED is currently utilizing the services of drummer Olle Dahlstedt (ALPHA SAFARI, ex-MISERY LOVES CO.) for all of its upcoming European gigs. Stjärnvind and his wife recently welcomed their first child, a daughter.