Finnish melodic death/doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN will enter the Seawolf Studios in Helsinki on September 11 to record its third, as-yet-untitled album. A February 7, 2007 release via Spinefarm Records is expected.

SWALLOW THE SUN's second album, "Ghosts of Loss", was released last summer via Firebox Records. It entered the official Finnish album chart at position No. 8. Back in April 2005, SWALLOW THE SUN's single "Forgive Her" entered the Finnish single chart at position No. 4. In addition to the nine-minute title track, the single featured a cover version of the CANDLEMASS classic "Solitude", with Magister Albert from REVEREND BIZARRE on vocals.

Faroe Islands metallers TYR will release their third album, "Ragnarok", in Europe on September 25 via Napalm Records (October 10 in the U.S.). The follow-up to 2003's "Eric the Red" was recorded at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark and contains "more of the same, only better," according to the band.

"Ragnarok" (view cover here) track listing:

01. The Beginning
02. The Hammer Of Thor
03. Envy
04. Brothers Bane
05. The Burning
06. The Ride To Hel
07. Torsteins Kvæði
08. Grímur Á Miðalnesi
09. Wings of Time
10. The Rage Of The Skullgaffer
11. The Hunt
12. Victory
13. Lord of Lies
14. Gjallarhorni
15. Ragnarok
16. The End
Bonus tracks (digipack only):
17. Valkyries Flight
18. Valhalla

Download an audio sample of the track "Wings of Time" at this location.

TYR's sophomore album, "Eric the Red", received a "proper" release earlier this year via Napalm Records. The CD was originally issued three years ago via a record company known as Tutl. The new version of the album contains two bonus tracks

DEVILDRIVER's sophomore album, "The Fury of Our Maker's Hand" — which originally came out in June 2005 — will be re-released on Halloween (October 31) as a special edition CD/DVD set. The new package will include three rare studio tracks and three "killer" live songs. The DVD will feature four music videos. A poster advertising the new release can be seen at this location.

"The Fury of Our Maker's Hand" entered Billboard's Heatseeker's chart at No. 1. It also debuted at No. 117 on Billboard's Top 200 album charts and No. 17 on the Top Hard Rock chart. Additionally, the album soared to No. 1 on the Metal/College Radio and Specialty charts. A follow-up effort is expected to be recorded in early 2007 for a tentative summer 2007 release.

Swedish "gothic metallers" BESEECH have hooked up with the Austrian booking agency Rock The Nation Bookings/Management which handles such bands as DEATHSTARS, GRAVEWORM, DISBELIEF, and KATALYSM.

Commented the group: "We hope and think this cooperation will take BESEECH one step further when we talking about touring and to reach every possible country!

In other news, BESEECH will soon record a new demo which they will use to procure a new record contract following their split with Napalm Records. Interested labels can contact the band at robert@beseech.net.

BESEECH's final release for Napalm was their fifth album, "Sunless Days", which came out last September.

The follow-up to 2004's "Drama", "Sunless Days" was recorded at StudioMega in Varberg, Sweden and includes 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".

Finnish horror metallers DOMINATION BLACK have revealed the final track listing for their sophomore album, "Dark Legacy", due later in the year via Poison Arrow Records.

DOMINATION BLACK frontman "The Sentinel" KILLgast has described the sound of the new album as "melodic thrash-metal-meets-traditional and quite bizarre-metal!'

"Dark Legacy" track listing:

01. Enter The Dark Legacy (instrumental)
02. Follow The Fear
03. Scavenger Of Evil
04. Ghost Of the Nightfall
05. The Cemetary
06. What Lies Beneath
07. Dark Water Dreams
08. Two Faced Devil
09. Phantom Light
10. Nightmare World

DOMINATION BLACK's mascot, "Fearbringer", was created by LORDI mastermind Mr. Lordi.

For more information, visit www.dominationblack.com.

Paragon Records has posted the track "The Shadow Out of Time" from the upcoming EYES OF LIGEIA album "A Fever Which Would Cling to Thee Forever" at this location.

Due on September 19, the cult doom band's fourth full-length album continues where their previous CD, "What the Moon Brings", left off, according to a press release. "Continuing a transformation from a death/doom metal band, to an eerie black metal band with prominant doom parts. A bit of a cross between XASTHUR, THERGOTHON, UNHOLY, and early ANCIENT WISDOM, while giving a nod to the unique and memorable riffing of the first two EYES OF LIGEIA albums. This is an album that promises to be one of the standouts of 2006."

Italian power metal band KALEDON will release their fourth full-length album, "Chapter 4: Twilight of the Gods", in Europe on September 29. The CD will be issued in North American on September 12 via Universal Metal Production.

"Chapter 4: Twilight of the Gods" projected track listing:

01. The Holy Water
02. Hell On Earth
03. War Plans
04. Goodbye My Friend
05. Clash Of The Titans
06. Into The Fog
07. Eyes Of Fire
08. The Fury
09. New King Of Kaledon
10. The Prophecy
11. Out Of The Ground

An MP3 of the track "Clash of the Titans" has been made available for download at this location.

On August 3, 1987, British rock band DEF LEPPARD released the album "Hysteria". Already a major force in rock music, "Hysteria" catapulted the band into the stratosphere. The statistics for "Hysteria" are astounding. The album has sold in excess of 17 million copies and counting. Due to the incredible success of previous album "Pyromania" (released in 1983) and "Hysteria", DEF LEPPARD are one of only five rock groups who can claim two separate original 10-million-plus-selling albums in the U.S. The others are THE BEATLES, LED ZEPPELIN, PINK FLOYD and VAN HALEN. The "Hysteria" album also spawned seven hit singles! Enormous hits such as "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Animal", "Love Bites", "Armageddon It" and "Rocket" are rock staples that still enjoy huge popularity today and have helped make DEF LEPPARD Britain's greatest ever arena rock band. The album remains DEF LEPPARD's best loved.

Mercury Records is set to release the "Hysteria Deluxe Edition" on October 16, 2006. The double album will feature the full album remastered and a host of extras including all the "Hysteria" single b-sides, live b-sides and remixes together for the first time. The deluxe edition will also feature exclusive expanded booklet and artwork (including a forward by Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke).

Having sold over 65 million albums worldwide since their debut release in 1980 and proved themselves one of rock music's hardest working and consistently powerful live bands (playing to over 50 million fans in the last 15 years alone), DEF LEPPARD's "Hysteria Deluxe Edition" is an album not to miss.

Full track listing for "Hysteria Deluxe Edition" (view cover here) is as follows:

Disc One:

"Hysteria" remastered:

01. Women
02. Rocket
03. Animal
04. Love Bites
05. Pour Some Sugar On Me
06. Armageddon It
07. Gods Of War
08. Don't Shoot Shotgun
09. Run Riot
10. Hysteria
11. Excitable
12. Love And Affection

"Hysteria" B-Sides:

13. Tear It Down
14. Ride Into The Sun (1987 Re-Recording)
15. I Wanna Be Your Hero
16. Ring Of Fire

Disc Two:

"Hysteria" Live B-Sides:

01. Elected (Live In Tilburg, Holland)
02. Love And Affection (Live In Tilburg, Holland)
03. Billy's Got A Gun (Live In Tilburg, Holland)
04. Rock Af Ages (Live In Tilburg, Holland)
05. Women (Live In Denver)

"Hysteria" Remixes:

06. Animal (Extended Version)
07. Pour Some Sugar On Me (Extended Version)
08. Armageddon It (The Nuclear Mix)
09. Excitable (Orgasmic Mix)
10. Rocket (The Lunar Mix)

"Hysteria" B-Sides Continued:

11. Release Me (performed by STUMPUS MAXIMUS & THE GOOD OL' BOYS)

According to a posting at Ozzyhead.com, OZZY OSBOURNE is currently working on two brand new studio albums.

The first album is set for release in February 2007. Most of the music was recorded before Ozzfest in May with Mike Bordin (drums), Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (bass) and Zakk Wylde (guitar). Ozzy is currently working on recording the vocals. Zakk Wylde recently announced that he had to cancel three tour dates in October (Oct. 14 - House Of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC; Oct. 16 - The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA; Oct. 18 - Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD) with his band BLACK LABEL SOCIETY to finish up obligations in the studio in connection with the new album. The second album will be the soundtrack to Ozzy's musical about controversial Russian politician Grigory Rasputin. The album will be released first, and then the play will debut on Broadway or as a touring show according to Osbourne. There is no current release date set.

In a recent interview, Ozzy said, "We wrote a song called 'Rasputin' (for the 1995 'Ozzmosis' album), but then it never got used, you know, and then every now and again I'd try to find this tape of songs. We wrote a bunch of songs, and I put this tape on and thought, 'You know what? That would be a great musical.' It kind of grew on its own. It's the traditional 'Fiddler on the Roof'-type of music, plus the kind of BEATLES-y kind of influence. There's this wonderful song that goes, 'How dark it is before the dawn, the day begins, a child is born.' It's beautiful. I'm really happy about it. I hope the rest of the world is. I spent 10 years of my f—king life in this thing."

MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine has told Gary Graff of Billboard.com that the band's upcoming album, entitled "United Abominations", has been pushed back to an early 2007 release through Roadrunner Records.

"We're putting the finishing touches on it," Mustaine told Billboard.com. "We've got a little more work before it's finished, but it should be out some time next year."

The singer/guitarist says the album, which he's producing with Jeff Balding, "has a lot of variation on it. It's got some surprises, but there's a really old-school vein to it, I would say." The group has been careful not to rush the album, either, holding sessions in London, Los Angeles and Nashville since earlier this year.

"We're taking our time with this one," Mustaine says. "It's a great feeling to make a record and not have our feet held to the fire. One of my heroes growing up was KISS, but they really frustrated me 'cause they would put out a record just about every year. I couldn't figure that out. I pretty much have a cycle of about 18 months to 24 months between records. I just can't put them out any quicker than that and feel comfortable about them."

Read more at Billboard.com.

According to an Earache Records press release, U.K. music TV channel Scuzz TV has "banned" DEICIDE's video for the song "Homage for Satan", condemning it for being offensive and derogatory.

In a statement, a Scuzz representative allegedly declared that "the lyrical content is religiously offensive, derogatory, and can be read as improper exploitation of any susceptibilities of the audience."

They further commented, "With regards the imagery itself, the inclusion of a priest or religious figure in any belief system is always a very touchy subject, but the possession of one such person, and the disparaging respect for the Christian Bible is in direct conflict with Ofcom regulations."

Earache Records commented in a statement, "The video, featuring blood-splattered zombies on a rampaging mission to capture a priest forcibly underlies DEICIDE's explicit stance against religion, yet is a representation of death metal at its best. The banning of the video coincides with the eagerly anticipated release of DEICIDE's highly acclaimed album, 'The Stench of Redemption', and effectively removes the chance for extreme music to be represented to a mass audience [in the U.K.] The outright banning of the video marks a worrying trend, as the station declares that they 'generally don't play death/black metal on Scuzz anymore' yet boldly label themselves as a 'rock hard' channel."

To make your own mind up about the video, you can check it out on YouTube at this location.

Swedish melodic death metallers ETERNAL OATH will enter the studio in late October to record the follow-up to 2005's "Wither". "Thirteen brand new songs has been written and if all songs will end up on the album is yet to [be] decided," the group writes on its web site.

ETERNAL OATH recently parted ways with original singer Joni Mäensivu and replaced him with Timo Hovinen. The band also announced plans to release their first two albums on one CD. The set, entitled "Re-Released Hatred", includes the band's debut mini-CD, "So Silent" (1996), as well as its follow-up, "Through the Eyes of Hatred" (1998), both of which have been hard to come by for several years. In addition, it features a bonus track: a "mind-blowing" cover of AT THE GATES' "The Fevered Circle". All tracks have been re-mastered with greatly enhanced sound and the CD also includes a completely new, re-designed booklet.

ETERNAL OATH's third full-length album, "Wither", was released in March 2005 via Black Lodge Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Righteous" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg and was mastered at Polar studios in Stockholm.

Polish death metallers VADER have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Between 9th - 19th of August VADER, in cooperation with AW Film Studio, was recording a video clip for 'Helleluyah (God Is Dead)'. The video will promote band's new studio album, entitled 'Impressions In Blood', out on September 4 through Swedish label Regain Records.

"The video clip was produced and directed by Andrzej Wyrozebski (one of the leading movie producers in Poland). Janusz Król (known from 'Wiedzmin', Polish fantasy movie) was responsible for all special effects and the whole set design. Slawomir Panasewicz (who has done so far over 140 videoclips!) was a cameraman.

"The first scenes were shot in Lozina (near Wroclaw). The second day (...and long night) all the crew worked at the old Power Station in Wroclaw. Its dark, dangerous and very mysterious aura fitted perfectly into the band's formula and the feeling of their new album. Also in [frontman] Peter's opinion, this place turned out to be a great location for making 'Helleluyah' videoclip. This song deals with suffering, hate and death, war between Christians and Muslims, armed conflicts and terrorism. Very dark and disturbing aura of that ruined place helped to achieve just a phenomenal results! It's going to be something unbelievably powerful and uncompromising!"

Check out photos from the video shoot at this location.

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR wll release a "best of" collection, entitled "Metal is Forever - The Very Best of Primal Fear", on September 29 via Nuclear Blast Records (JVC in Japan). The album's artwork was created by Stephan Lohrmann, who was also responsible for the cover of PRIMAL FEAR's "Black Sun" album. The 16-track compilation will also include a special bonus CD of "classic metal tracks." The complete track listing is as follows:

Disc One:

01. Metal Is Forever
02. Chainbreaker
03. Seven Seals
04. Nuclear Fire
05. Final Embrace
06. The Healer
07. Rollercoaster
08. Armageddon
09. Angel In Black
10. Under Your Spell
11. Evil Spell
12. Running In The Dust
13. Suicide And Mania
14. Iron Fist In A Velvet Glove
15. Fear
16. Tears Of Rage

Disc Two:

01. Out In The Fields (GARY MOORE & PHILIP LYNOTT)
02. Kill The King (RAINBOW)
03. Speed King (DEEP PURPLE)
04. Die Young (BLACK SABBATH)
05. Metal Gods (JUDAS PRIEST)
06. Breaker (ACCEPT)
07. Seek And Destroy (METALLICA)
08. Two Minutes To Midnight (IRON MAIDEN)
09. The Rover (LED ZEPPELIN)

PRIMAL FEAR recently inked a new multi-album worldwide deal with Frontiers Records. The band has started writing songs for their upcoming album which is tentatively scheduled to be released before the summer of 2007. A European tour will follow the album's release.

In other news, a video clip of PRIMAL FEAR and former ANNIHILATOR drummer Randy Black performing the ANNIHILATOR song "Cold Blooded" at a Mapex drum clinic has been posted online at YouTube.com.

On October 24, 2006, Restless Records will release "Butchering The Beatles" — featuring the biggest, the baddest, the heaviest all-star line-up ever assembled to honor what is arguably the greatest band ever — THE BEATLES.

All-in-all, over 50 internationally known recording artists bring their unique bone-crushing slant to these remarkable songs. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer/guitarist Bob Kulick and ace engineer Brett Chassen, "Butchering The Beatles" features 12 new, ass-kicking versions of THE BEATLES' chart-topping hits, including "Hey Jude", "I Feel Fine" and "Day Tripper", plus the more esoteric "Hey Bulldog", barked out by the legendary Alice Cooper and "Tomorrow Never Knows", uniquely interpreted by the iconic Billy Idol, alongside classic concept songs like "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "Magical Mystery Tour".

When asked by Guitar Player magazine what possessed him to go all metal on THE BEATLES, Bob Kulick stated that, "BEATLES songs are the Holy Grail. They're the best rock songs ever written. These new recordings are totally faithful, yet completely different. Billy Gibbons singing 'Revolution' or (MOTÖRHEAD frontman) Lemmy singing 'Back In The USSR' are not exactly Paul McCartney or John Lennon. And of course, the guitar solo sections were lengthened to accommodate all the artists' solo styles."

"Butchering The Beatles" track listing:

01. "Hey Bulldog"

• Alice Cooper - Vocals
  
• Steve Vai - Guitars
  
• Duff McKagen (VELVET REVOLVER / GUNS N' ROSES) - Bass
  
• Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD) - Drums
  

02. "Back In The USSR"

• Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD) - Vocals/Bass
  
• John5 (MARILYN MANSON / ROB ZOMBIE) - Guitars
  
• Eric Singer (KISS / ALICE COOPER) - Drums
  

03. "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"

• Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE) - Vocals
  
• Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE) - Guitar
  
• Craig Goldy (DIO) - Guitar
  
• Rudy Sarzo (DIO) - Bass
  
• Simon Wright (DIO) - Drums
  
• Scott Warren (DIO) - Keys
  

04. "Tomorrow Never Knows"

• Billy Idol - Vocals
  
• Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL) - Guitars
  
• Blasko (OZZY OSBOURNE) - Bass
  
• Brian Tichy (BILLY IDOL) - Drums
  

05. "Magical Mystery Tour"

• Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN / SOUL SIRKUS) - Vocals
  
• Yngwie Malmsteen (RISING FORCE / ALCATRAZZ) - Lead Guitar
  
• Bob Kulick (MEAT LOAF / PAUL STANLEY BAND) - Rhythm Guitar
  
• Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN / FOREIGNER) - Bass
  
• Frankie Banali (W.A.S.P. / QUIET RIOT) - Drums
  

06. "Revolution"

• Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) - Vocals / Guitar
  
• Vivian Campbell (DEF LEPPARD) - Guitar
  
• Mike Porcaro (TOTO) - Bass
  
• Gregg Bisonnette (DAVID LEE ROTH / RINGO STARR BAND) - Drums
  
• Joseph Fazzio (SUPERJOINT RITUAL) - Drums
  

07. "Day Tripper"

• Jack Blades (NIGHT RANGER / DAMN YANKEES) - Vocals
  
• Tommy Shaw (STYX / DAMN YANKEES) - Vocals
  
• Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE / DIO) - Guitars
  
• Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE / THIN LIZZY) - Bass
  
• Virgil Donati (STEVE VAI / SOUL SIRKUS / PLANET X) - Drums
  

08. "I Feel Fine"

• John Bush (ANTHRAX) - Vocals
  
• Stephen Carpenter (DEFTONES) - Guitar
  
• Mike Inez (OZZY OSBOURNE / ALICE IN CHAINS) - Bass
  
• John Tempesta (THE CULT / TESTAMENT) - Drums
  

09. "Taxman"

• Doug Pinnick (KING'S X) - Vocals
  
• Steve Lukather (TOTO) - Guitar
  
• Tony Levin (JOHN LENNON / PETER GABRIEL) - Bass
  
• Steve Ferrone (ERIC CLAPTON / TOM PETTY) - Drums
  

10. "I Saw Her Standing There"

• John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE) - Vocals
  
• Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD) - Guitar
  
• C.C. Deville (POISON) - Guitar
  
• Chris Chaney (JANE'S ADDICTION) - Bass
  
• Kenny Aronoff (SMASHING PUMPKINS / JON BON JOVI) - Drums
  

11. "Hey Jude"

• Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST / ICED EARTH) - Vocals
  
• George Lynch (DOKKEN / LYNCH MOB) - Guitar
  
• Bob Kulick (MEAT LOAF / PAUL STANLEY BAND) - Rhythm Guitar
  
• Tim Bogert (VANILLA FUDGE / BECK / BOGERT & APPICE) - Bass
  
• Chris Slade (AC/DC) - drums
  

12. "Drive My Car"

• Kip Winger (WINGER) - Vocals
  
• Bruce Kulick (KISS / GRAND FUNK) - Guitar
  
• Tony Franklin (THE FIRM / WHITESNAKE) - Bass
  
• Aynsley Dunbar (WHITESNAKE / JOURNEY) - Drums
  

Reunited Swedish hard rockers EUROPE have posted the following message on their official web site:

"All of us in the band have just met up in Berlin to meet with our record company. We have just listened to our new CD together after the final mastering has been done. We can't believe it, we did it! A new album is ready for you. It will be released the 27th of October in Scandinavia and Europe. America and Asia will follow shortly.

"It's been an intense and creative time for us in the band. We spent around 60 days of this summer rehearsing, recording and mixing the songs. At one point we had four studios on the go at the same time. One for John's [Norum] guitar overdubs, one for Joey [Tempest] and Mic [Michaeli] doing vocals and keyboards, one studio where we did some programming (loops etc.) and finally one studio where Stefan Glaumann mixed the songs. We even slept in the studio and worked in shifts to get it done in time.

"It has turned out to be (we think) one of the best EUROPE albums so far. It has a very contemporary sound but there are some classic EUROPE trademarks in there. We have pushed the limits again, we have taken some chances. We had a lot of fun doing it with a lot of hard work.

"The name of the CD will be 'Secret Society'. We will put samples of a few songs on our website very soon. And soon you will be able see the 'official biography' for 'Secret Society' before anyone else, right here on our site. At the same time we are starting to plan our next tour. It looks like we are touring Scandinavia this autumn and the rest of Europe in the beginning of 2007. After that we are planning to play festivals in Europe, tour Asia, U.S. and the U.K.

"As soon as our artwork is ready, which is being done by the legendary Storm Thorgerson, we will put up a brand new look for our website with a lot of new stuff.

"Looking forward to seeing you on tour. Hope you enjoy our new CD. We are very proud of it."

SKID ROW has set "Revolutions per Minute" as the title of its new album, tentatively due on October 31 through SPV Records. The follow-up to 2003's "ThickSkin" was recorded at WireWorld studio in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Michael Wagener, who previously worked with the band on their two most commercially successful albums to date, "Skid Row" (1989) and "Slave to the Grind" (1991). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Disease", "Strength", "Another Dick In The System", "White Trash", "Shut Up Baby, I Love You" and "You Lie" (which is described in a press release as "country rock").

SKID ROW 2006 lineup:

Johnny Solinger - Lead Vocals
Rachel Bolan - Bass, Backing Vocals, Percussion
Scotti Hill - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lap Steel
Snake Sabo - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Dave Gara (GARGANTUA, ex-BETTY BLOWTORCH) - Drums, Backing Vocals

Progressive metal act SYMPHONY X is continuing work on its follow-up to 2002's "The Odyssey", entitled "Paradise Lost", tentatively due before the end of the year. The following message has been posted on the group's official web site:

"It would appear that one of the early drafts of the [new] CD cover has been leaked to at least one website; the band hasn't had a chance to okay any final artwork, so what you see floating around out there is NOT the final CD cover art.

"Jason [Rullo, drums] is done recording his parts, and the rhythm tracks and other guitar parts should be done by next week. The band's aiming to have the music ready for mixing by mid-September; Michael James Romeo [guitar] says that things are moving right along."

SYMPHONY X expects to return to the road shortly after the release of the new album.

SYMPHONY X was recently forced to cancel a couple of European festival appearances after bassist Michael LePond was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (an inflammatory bowel disorder). He has since underegone surgery and has been released from the hospital.

SYMPHONY X was one of the second-stage bands at last summer's Gigantour, a six-week festival trek co-headlined by MEGADETH and DREAM THEATER. "Rarities and Demos", the first fan club CD from the SYMPHONY X fan club, Church of the Machine, was shipped out in July 2005 to fan club members. The CD included demo material, rare unreleased material, and guitarist Michael James Romeo's interpretation of the "Star Wars" theme, done with over 15 guitar tracks.

RUFFIANS, the reunited power metal band that at one time featured in its ranks late VICIOUS RUMORS frontman Carl Albert, will release its new album, "Desert of Tears", on October 20 via Metal Heaven Records. The CD was recorded at Trident/Imperial Studios in Northern California.

"Desert of Tears" track listing:

01. I Believe
02. Running Blind
03. Day of the Champion
04. Desert of Tears
05. I Will Fly
06. Darkest of Light
07. It Ain't Over
08. Live by the Sword
09. Soldier's Fate
10. Chosen One
11. Freedom

A limited-edition version of the CD will include the bonus cut "Risen".

RUFFIANS is:

Rich Wilde - Vocals
Craig Behrhorst - Guitar
Chris Atchison - Guitar
Luke Bowman - Drums
Tommy Sisco - Bass

RUFFIANS debuted at the famed San Francisco rock venue the Mabuhay Gardens in December '83. The band played many shows throughout their career, securing support slots for bands such as UFO, ALICE COOPER, DOKKEN, QUEENSRŸCHE, SAXON, Y&T and SLAYER.

In January 1985, RUFFIANS entered Studio D in Sausalito, California to lay down tracks for their debut album. Released in May on Victory Records in the North America, SPV/Steamhammer Records in Europe and FEMS Records in Japan, the album was quickly picked up by over 200 college radio stations in the United States as well as charting in Europe and Japan. The album received great reviews from the international and domestic press, and the band's fan base grew much larger. Original singer Carl Albert (R.I.P.) quit the band in 1985 and was replaced by vocalist Rich Wilde. In 1987 the band went back into the studio this time with Rich on vocals and the result was a new four-track release featuring "Do or Die", "Unchained", "Through Your Eyes", and "Only The Strong Survive". These tracks appeared on various compilations and were well received by the heavy metal press.

In early 1989, the band split up, but the fans and supporters remained to this day. A RUFFIANS reunion became a reality when the band was invited to play Germany's Bang Your Head Festival in June of 2004.

Birmingham, U.K. grindcore/noisecore crossover act CHEMICAL VOMIT has announced that it has parted ways with bassist Aaron Thrasher and second vocalist Morbid James and will be continueing with just a three-piece lineup of:

Jason Vomit (INFANT BILE, CORPSE ABORTION, COSMIC COCK) - Vocals
Steven Pork (CORPSE ABORTION, COSMIC COCK) – Guitar, Vocals
Spike Kane (ex-COSMIC COCK) - Drums

CHEMICAL VOMIT's debut album, tentatively titled "Worst Album Title In History", will feature a guest appearance from BAL-SAGOTH keyboard player Jonny Maulding. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "MySpace Is Your Best Friend", "Hulk Hogan Is Gay", "We are an Anal Cunt Ripoff Band" and "Everyone Who 'First Posts' On Blabbermouth Is Gay". The album will also feature a cover of G.G ALLIN's "Suck My Ass It Smells". More information can be found at this location.

GODHEAD's new single, "Trapped In Your Lies", has been made available for free download at the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the group's new album, "The Shadow Line", due on August 29 in the U.S. and September 4 in the rest of the world through new label Cement Shoes Records. The band recently parted ways with drummer James O'Connor due to "personal reasons" and have since replaced him with former LOSER skinsman Glendon Crain. Watch the group's video for "Trapped In Your Lies" at this location. Another song off "The Shadow Line", entitled "Once Before", can also be heard on the band's MySpace page.

As previously reported, GODHEAD will team up with ILL NINO and RA for a five-week U.S. tour beginning in late September. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

Brazil's Marquee Records has just re-released the third album from legendary Canadian thrashers SACRIFICE, entitled "Soldiers of Misfortune". It comes as a double CD in a limited-edition hand-numbered slipcase and contains a massive booklet with liner notes by Laurent Ramadier, live pictures and personal comments by Joe Rico (guitar), Rob Urbinati (guitar, vocals), Scott Watts (bass) and Gus Pynn (drums). The reissue features 32 songs in total (including one full concert), all remastered from the originals by Sidney Sohn (NASTY SAVAGE, IRON ANGEL). The complete track listing is as follows:

Disc 1:

"Soldiers of Misfortune"

01. As The World Burns
02. Soldiers of Misfortune
03. In Defiance
04. Existence Within Eternity
05. Pawn of Prophecy
06. Lost Through Time
07. A Storm In The Silence
08. Truth (After The Rain)

"1989 Demo"

09. As The World Burns
10. Existence Within Eternity
11. Pawn of Prophecy
12. Lost Through Time
13. A Storm In The Silence

1992 Outtakes

14. Re-animation

Live at Diamond Club in Toronto, Canada (April 26, 1989) - Part I

15. The Entity
16. As The World Burns
17. Existence Within Eternity

Disc 2:

Live at Entex in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (September 12, 1990)

01. In Defiance
02. Homicidal Breath
03. Soldiers of Misfortune
04. As The World Burns
05. Forever Enslaved
06. The Entity
07. Pawn of Prophecy
08. Flames of Armageddon
09. Existence Within Eternity
10. Afterlife
11. Lost Through Time
12. Re-animation
13. Truth
14. Necronomicon

Live at Diamond Club in Toronto, Canada (April 26, 1989) - Part II

15. Pawn of Prophecy
16. Lost Through Time
17. A Storm In The Silence
18. Re-animation

For more information, visit www.marquee.com.br.

Swedish metallers SATARIEL have completed work on their new mini-CD, entitled "Chifra", for a late summer release in Europe and Asia via Pulverised Records. A U.S. release for the effort has yet to be announced. The CD was mixed by was mixed by Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, MESSHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Magnus Alakangas at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden and features artwork and layout by Pär Johansson. Lyrically, the CD is said to be "a sort of ending of the concept which was the basis" for SATARIEL's third album, "Hydra", according to a statement from the band. The mini-CD will also contain a video for the song "Hogtied Angel".

"Chifra" track listing:

01. Hogtied Angel
02. Slithering
03. Chifra
04. Flies Halo
05. Hogtied Angel (video)

Check out audio samples at www.myspace.com/satariel.

SATARIEL is still signed to Cold/Regain Records for its next full-length album, which will most likely be recorded sometime in late summer/early autumn.

"Hydra" recently received its long-awaited U.S. release via Candlelight Records.

SATARIEL released their sophomore CD, "Phobos & Deimos", in 2002 through the now-defunct Dutch label Hammerheart Records.

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT are currently offering a new "bootleg" in DVD format for sale in the "Merch" section of the group's official web site. "Testament - Live in Istanbul, Turkey" (view cover here) was filmed earlier this year by Walter Morgan of Deadly Embrace Productions and features the following track listing:

01. The Preacher
02. The New Order
03. The Haunting
04. Electric Crown
05. Sins Of Omission
06. Burnt Offerings
07. Souls Of Black
08. Into The Pit
09. The Legacy
10. Practice What You Preach
11. Trial By Fire
12. Over The Wall
13. Alone In The Dark
14. Disciples Of The Watch
15. Raging Waters

The video is available for $18.00 in the U.S. or $23 overseas (+ $5.00 shipping & handling in U.S., $8.00 shipping & handling overseas).

For more information, click here.

Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have set "United" as the title of their new album, due in October via Century Media Records. The exact release dates by territory are as follows:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux: October 13, 2006.
U.K., France, Spain, Denmark, Norway, rest of Europe: October 16, 2006.
Finland, Sweden, Hungary: October 18, 2006.
Italy: Friday, October 20, 2006
USA: Tuesday, October 31, 2006

DREAM EVIL parted ways with drummer Snowy Shaw (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME) in February and replaced him with Pat Power (a.k.a. Patrik Jerksten). The group's current lineup is as follows:

Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals
Fredrik Nordström - Guitar
Peter Stålfors - Bass
Mark Black - Guitar
Pat Power - Drums

DREAM EVIL's latest CD, "The Book of Heavy Metal", was released in 2004 through Century Media Records.

SENTIMENT, the Finnish band featuring former SILENT VOICES vocalist Michael Henneken, is putting the finishing touches on its debut album. Two heavy metal heavyweights — Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS) and Roope Latvala (CHILDREN OF BODOM) — will be making guest appearances on the CD. Audio samples will soon be downloadable from the band's official web site.

SENTIMENT was founded in 1998 by Jami and Tony Huovinen. The group first aproached the music with a progressive angle, but after couple of demos and numerous bandmember changes, it took on its current form with a style that is being described as "melodic metal, [but] with a twist of hard rock and crunchier riffs."

Jami Huovinen - Drums
Tony Huovinen - Guitar
Michael Henneken - Vocals
Wille Terämä - Bass

SENTIMENT issued a promotional CD, entitled "Breaking the Chains", in 2004.