SPV has announced the signing of Swedish death metal masters UNLEASHED to a worldwide deal.

Known for their skillfully penned, Viking-themed songs and explosive live performances, UNLEASHED are poised to make a major impact this fall with the release of thier eighth full-length album, titled "Midvinterblot".

"We have more qualified songs to choose from than ever before, and I am very confident that this will be the best UNLEASHED album ever," frontman Johnny Hedlund had previously stated about the CD. "Our mission is to create one of the most memorable records in the history of death metal!!! This one will be slightly faster than 'Sworn Allegiance'. The songs will be anthems in the true traditional UNLEASHED way and will have you screaming along with the choruses. The guitar sound will be taking a step towards brutality and grind. The drums are the closest we have ever come to recording a 'live' kind of intensity. The vocals? Well, not far away from 'Sworn Allegiance'... just add a little harshness and a slightly deep aggression to that sound and you'll get the picture right there. Expect nothing but one of the most memorable records in the history of death metal."
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UNLEASHED utilized the services of stand-in drummer Jonas Tyskhagen (INCARDINE, PELLE & THE POORBOYS) for their appearance at the Metalmania festival in Katowice, Poland in early March after the group's regular skinsman, Anders Schultz was hospitalized following a lung-collapse.

UNLEASHED's seventh studio album, "Sworn Allegiance", was released in 2004 through Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Hell's Unleashed" was recorded and mixed by Fredrik Folkare at Chrome Studios and mastered by Peter In de Betou of Tailor Maid Productions (DIMMU BORGIR, AMON AMARTH, KATATONIA).

CORNERSTONE, the Danish/British melodic metal band featuring YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ex-RAINBOW frontman Doogie White and ex-ROYAL HUNT bassist Steen Mogensen, has posted the following message on its official web site:

"[The new CORNERSTONE album] 'Two Tales and One Tomorrow' is now mixed and mastered. Steen and Peter have been burning the midnight oil over the last while to have the album ready. Over the next couple of weeks we will be putting up an edit of a couple of songs to gather your interest.

"On the live front, Ragnarock [festival] in Norway has been cancelled and this is of huge disappointment to the band. The band will be looking at touring when the new album is released. More details to follow. Look out for a couple of competitions over the next few weeks. There will be a signed copy of the original lyrics (mistakes and all) for the song 'Prey' from the new album."

Commented Doogie: "When the music came through, I put it on my MP3 player and sat in the garden with a scrap of paper and a biro. It came very quickly, as did 'Mother of Mercy', which was done the same way."

Other songtitles set to appear on CORNERSTONE's follow-up to 2003's "Once Upon Our Yesterdays" (Massacre) include "Requiem", "Wicked" and "Two Tales and One Tomorrow".

Guitarist Jack Frost is certainly one of the hardest working guitarists in heavy metal today. In addition to playing on, mixing, and producing albums with his band, SEVEN WITCHES (which formerly included Joey Vera of ARMORED SAINT), Frost has also lent his guitar talents to the likes of SAVATAGE, METALIUM, BRONX CASKET COMPANY (with D.D. Verni and Tim Mallare of OVERKILL), and SPEEED (with Aaron Randall and Ray Hartman of ANNIHILATOR). Also, Frost has appeared on a multitude of tribute albums, including tributes to DIO, HELLOWEEN, SCORPIONS, TWISTED SISTER, W.A.S.P., JUDAS PRIEST, and ACCEPT.

And as if his plate wasn't full enough, Frost also issues solo albums, such as his sophomore set, "Out in the Cold", due on August 29 via Screaming Ferret Wreckords. As with all of his previous efforts, "Out in the Cold" features plenty of top metallic guitar work throughout, especially the album opening "Wasting Your Luv", as well as the title track. Additionally, the album includes a trio of renowned classic rock covers that receive a metallic makeover — FOREIGNER's "Cold As Ice", .38 SPECIAL's "Hold On Loosely", and APRIL WINE's "Sign of the Gypsy Queen".

"Out in the Cold" track listing:

01. Wasting Your Luv
02. Hell Or High Water
03. Crucifixation
04. Out In The Cold
05. Sign of the Gypsy Queen
06. Peter and Me
07. Cold As Ice
08. Covered In Blood
09. Hold On Loosely
10. Passage to the Classical Side
11. Head First

GOD DETHRONED guitarist Isaac Delahaye has posted the following studio update at the band's official website:

"It's been a while since we put an update online, but that's because we were busy with the finishing of the new album. The mastering sounds brilliant! We're extremely proud with the end result, which is exactly what we had in mind.

We've also been rehearsing for the summer festivals, cause we haven't played a show since we entered the studio in May. The first show was Kaltenbach OA (Open Air) in Austria and it was a blast! Very cozy festival, well organized, terrific crowd, too much beer and all that good stuff. We also used the "reaper" side drops for the first time in years; looked pretty damn cool in my opinion!

Next shows are Metal Days in Switzerland and Up From The Ground in Germany. Hope to see y'all there!"

As previously reported, God Dethroned are mixing and mastering their new album called, The Toxic Touch, due out in October via Metal Blade Records. Some new song titles include: 'Typhoid Mary', 'On Wings Of Pestilence', 'Falling Down', 'Away From Emptiness', 'Hating Life', 'Bleeding Mirrors', 'Fail To Exist', 'Macabre World' and '2014'. The artwork is being made as we speak by Jacek Wisniewski who also did the cover for our Lair Of The White Worm (2004) album.

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Dutch death metallers GOD DETHRONED will release their new album, "The Toxic Touch", on October 23 in Europe (except Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where it will arrive on October 20) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Soundlodge Studios in Germany with producer Joerg Uken. Mastering was handled at Wisseloord Studios in Holland.

Commented GOD DETHRONED mainman Henri Sattler: "'The Toxic Touch' is the product of two years of extensive and intense touring all over the world. The new lineup has proved to be superior to all the previous ones. You could see it as a learning process. While everybody knows us as a band with a fine mix between the brutal and the melodic parts, people appreciate us mostly for our groove and melody, especially live. The new album reflects that more than ever before.

"The number of blast beats on this album has been decreased to a minimum. Why? Simply because in a live situation it's probably the most boring part. In the new situation the blast beat adds something special, the explosion, whereas in the past it was just a common part of our style and therefore 'nothing special.' 'The Toxic Touch' has become an album with new and broader influences, techniques and songwriting, but sounds exactly the way GOD DETHRONED should sound anno 2006. This time with our best and heaviest production to date."

"The Toxic Touch" track listing:

01. Faithless
02. Hating Life
03. 2014
04. Falling Down
05. On Wings of Pestilence
06. The Day You Died
07. Away From Emptiness
08. Macabre World
09. Typhoid Mary
10. Fail to Exist

The Japanese edition will contain a bonus track called "Bleeding Mirrors".

GOD DETHRONED will be teaming up with VADER and SEVERE TORTURE for the Blitzkrieg 4 European tour beginning in late September.

Night of the Vinyl Dead has announced the vinyl release of a classic death metal EP: SUFFOCATION's "Despise the Sun" (1998).

The mini-LP, strictly limited to 500 hand-numbered copies, comes in yellow vinyl with a gatefold color insert.

Track listing:

01. Funeral Inception
02. Devoid Of Truth
03. Despise The Sun
04. Bloodchurn
05. Catatonia

For more information, visit www.nightofthevinyldead.com.

SUFFOCATION will release its new, self-titled album on September 19 in North America (September 25 internationally) via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Full Force Studios in Long Island, NY and will feature artwork from tattoo artist JonZig. Preview the artwork at this location.

According to Imperiumi.net, Norwegian black metal band TAAKE will release a split 10" gatefold mini-LP with GIGANTOMACHY (the band featuring TAAKE guitarist C. Corax) via Agonia. The release will be sent to the pressing plant by the end of July. TAAKE's side of the mini-LP includes a DESTRUCTION cover as a special bonus. Expect around 35 minutes of "pure darkness and evil."

TAAKE's third album, "Doedskvad", was released last year via Dark Essence Records. The band had previously released two albums on the Wounded Love label: "Nattestid..." (1999) and "Bjoergvin" (2002). "Doedskvad" is the last installment in this trilogy.

NWOBHM veterans JAGUAR have announced the addition of bass player Simon Patel to the group's ranks. Simon made his live debut with the band at the recent Thrash Till Death Festival in Germany.

JAGUAR are currently writing material for a new studio album, which they plan on recording later in the year. No further information is currently available.

JAGUAR teamed up with DIAMOND HEAD, WITCHFYNDE, PRAYING MANTIS and BRONZ for the "The 25th Anniversary of NWOBHM" concert last November at the Astoria in London, England.

JAGUAR's most recent studio album, "Run Ragged", was released in July 2003 through Angel Air Records.

Finnish melodic death metallers NOUMENA have completed work on their third full-length album, "Anatomy of Life", tentatively due late October via Spikefarm Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Absence" was recorded and mixed at Savonlinna's Sundi Coop studio by Tuomo Valtonen and was mastered at Finnvox Studios by Mika Jussila.

Commented guitarist Tuukka Tuomela: "With the new album we have evolved our approach to melodic death. This time we worked more on terms of the songs. We didn't want to squeeze every song into the same format. However, heavy rhythms and catchy melodies are on their place."

"Anatomy of Life" track listing:

01. Misanthropolis
02. Burden of Solacement
03. Retrospection
04. The Burning
05. Monument of Pain
06. Triumph and Loss
07. Marionettes
08. Through the Element
09. Fire and Water

Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA made their first public appearance with their new drummer, Jean Dolabella (ex-UDORA), last Tuesday (July 11) at Clube Belfiore in São Paulo during the Brazilian release party for their new CD, "Dante XXI". Check out pictures at Whiplash.net.

Dolabella joined SEPULTURA as the replacement for founding member Igor Cavalera, who left the band last month due to "artistic differences."

Igor announced earlier in the year that he was taking a break from the group's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January). Filling in on drums during the band's European tour with IN FLAMES was Roy Mayorga, who played with Igor's brother Max in SOULFLY for several years in the late '90s and again in 2001-2003.

Igor is the second Cavalera to leave SEPULTURA. In 1996, Max Cavalera exited the group after the rest of the band fired Max's wife Gloria as SEPULTURA's manager.

IRON MAIDEN's video for their new single, "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", has been made available for streaming at the following links: Location#1, Location#2.

Kerrang! magazine has previously described "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" as "an intricate seven-minute epic that starts with a creepy, ominous intro before erupting into a crushing, almost LED ZEPPELIN-esque riff and a powerful, emotive chorus. More obtuse lyrically than most of the album, it's a curious, challenging choice for a single."

"It's very different for us," admitted the band's bassist, Steve Harris. "It's very riffy. The intro has an almost nursery rhyme eeriness. Sometimes you try to create a mood and sometimes it's just there. Everyone's going to ask who Benjamin Breeg is, but you'll just have to find out for yourself!"

IRON MAIDEN's new studio album, entitled "A Matter of Life and Death", is scheduled for release on August 26 in Australia, and August 28 in Europe. A U.S. release is expected in early September. "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" single will precede the album on August 14.

"A Matter of Life and Death" was recorded at Sarm West Studios in London with producer Kevin Shirley, who also worked on the last two MAIDEN albums, 2000's "Brave New World" and 2003's "Dance of Death".

QUEENSRŸCHE's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Word from the Campaign is that there are a lot of projects going on while the band's touring in support of 'Operation: Mindcrime II'. For example... while the band has been on the road they have been busy writing new material for the next QUEENSRŸCHE record. The band is also gearing up for a new live double disc that's to be recorded and released this fall. All signs point to a 'Operation: LIVECrime II' with Disc 1 being a live production of 'Mindcrime' and Disc 2 being a live production of 'Mindcrime II'... but only time will tell. Hopefully, if/when Rhino gets around to releasing this, they'll put some bonus material on it as well ... like the music video?

"Geoff Tate has two solo projects in the works. We know at least one of them is a collaboration with Michael Wilton on a BEATLES tribute and the other is a big secret. Why a such a secret you ask? Well, could it be another concept album? A resurrection of the 3 TREMORS? Perhaps both? We do know that both the new QUEENSRŸCHE album and Geoff Tate solo projects are to include some very special guests.

"Michael Wilton has reported that work is near complete on the second SOULBENDER album. And a rumor that a small tour is in the works for them as well. Check soulbender.com and/or michaelwilton.com for more details and information.

"Scott Rockenfield recently re-released his SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM album on Spitfire Records. For more information, please visit: www.slavetothesystem.com.

"As we reported earlier in the week, Mike Stone has finally gotten with the 00's with his very own website. Though still under construction, he did announce a solo gig later this month in Wisconsin. Oh, and did I mention the new county/western album he's been working on with this brother? For more information, please visit: www.mikestonezone.com

"In Kelly Gray news (never thought you'd hear that name again, did ya?)... Kelly's currently in Seattle re-mastering 'Q2K'. He's also cleaning up the bonus tracks that are being added. There's even rumors that he'll be signing a few copies of the album! More details on this as they become available.

"And lastly, how could be forget about Eddie Jackson? Word from the Guacamole King of Seattle is that he's still working on his bio for QR.com."

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"25 years since Danny Lilker and I started this band.

"25 years. Who does anything for 25 years? And in band years, that's like a thousand years.

"In all seriousness, it's my proudest accomplishment. To still be doing this 25 years down the line at this level is a testament to the strength of the people that love this band.

"From everyone that's ever been in the band to anyone that's ever taken the time to listen, thank you. Someday I'll write the book and properly give everyone their due, until then raise a glass with me and recite my favorite toast:

"'Here's to us and those like us and all the rest are cunts.'"

ANTHRAX is currently supporting ROB ZOMBIE on his "American Witch Across America" tour.

Italian thrashers ENEMYNSIDE have completed work on their second album, "In the Middle of Nowhere", at Cellar Studio with engineer Stefano Morabito (HOUR OF PENANCE, THEATRES DES VAMPIRES). The front cover for the CD will be designed by Davide Nadalin of Nerve Design. "Now we will be searching for a record label through the work of Alkemist Fanatix Europe (management and promotion) for the release, promotion and distribution of the album," reads a posting on the band's web site.

Check out audio samples from the upcoming CD at this location.

ENEMYNSIDE released their debut album, "Let The Madness Begin...", in May 2004 through Temple of Noise Records.

Cleveland's CHIMAIRA has completed work on a new three-song femo with producer Jason Suecof (GOD FORBID, TRIVIUM). Suecof's comments on the demo's recording sessions can be found on his MySpace page.

CHIMAIRA are currently seeking a new label home after parting ways with Roadrunner Records earlier in the year. The band's follow-up to last year's "Chimaira" is tentatively due in early 2007.

"Chimaira" was recorded at Spider Studios in Ohio with producer Ben Schigel. Mixing duties were handled by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY, NAPALM DEATH).

According to the U.K.'s Times Online, up to 100,000 songs recorded and filmed between 1966 and 1991 by Bill Graham, the American concert promoter — including rare recordings by LED ZEPPELIN and THE WHO — may soon see the light of day.

The collection languished in an underground basement in San Francisco for more than 10 years after Graham's death before it was bought by Bill Sagan, a health company executive turned rock entrepreneur, who has now launched negotiations aimed at securing the stars' permission to release their music. This weekend he was flying to London for talks with lawyers representing British rockers such as LED ZEPPELIN and THE WHO.

The archive contains unseen footage of a legendary performance by THE WHO in 1973, when drummer Keith Moon collapsed and a student was picked from the audience to finish the show, and the final concert in 1978 by the SEX PISTOLS.

There are unknown performances by LED ZEPPELIN such as a version of "Howlin' Wolf's Killing Floor", which they later rewrote as the "Lemon Song", and a tousle-headed ELTON JOHN singing his 1970 ballad "Your Song".

Read more at www.timesonline.co.uk.

DISILLUSION, the prog-death band from Leipzig, Germany, is hard at work on its as-yet-untitled sophomore album, due on October 23 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Back to Times of Splendor" will be completed before the end of July, and the record will be mastered in August by one of the "big names in the business," according to a press release.

DISILLUSION's full-length debut, "Back to Times of Splendor", was released in April 2004 through Metal Blade Records. "Back to Times of Splendor" was mixed at Tam Recording Studios in Zwickau, Germany and was mastered at Mastersound Studios in Fellbach, Germany with ATROCITY mainman Alex Krull.

DREAM THEATER concluded its lengthy 20th Anniversary World Tour earlier this year with a triumphant sold-out concert at New York City's famed Radio City Music Hall. The emotional performance included songs representing two decades of music from the acclaimed progressive hard rock quintet and featured the band backed by a 30-piece orchestra during the show's second set. Rhino Records captures every note from that special evening with CD and DVD versions of "Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live With The Octavarium Orchestra". Both are available from Rhino August 29 at all retail outlets and www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $24.98 for the three-CD collection and $24.99 for the double DVD. A digital version of the album will also be available for download at all digital outlets.

The CD and DVD versions both feature the April 1, 2006 concert in its entirety and contain nearly three hours of virtuoso metal from guitarist John Petrucci; drummer Mike Portnoy; vocalist James LaBrie; bassist John Myung and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. As the culmination of two decades spent mostly on the road, Portnoy says the Radio City Music Hall performance was a defining moment in the band's legendary 20-year run that captures the group at the pinnacle of its prowess. "Never before have I been moved onstage as much as I was that night," he recalls. "There were several points where I was literally brought to tears by the power and emotion in the air."

A treat for the legion of longtime DREAM THEATER fans devoted to the band's dynamic sound and marathon live shows, "Score" touches upon every era of the band's career. Ranging from "Another Won", the first song the band ever wrote when they formed in 1985 at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston, spanning all the way through the band's latest studio album, 2005's "Octavarium".

The first disc includes "Afterlife" from DREAM THEATER's 1989 debut, "When Dream And Day Unite", along with "Under A Glass Moon", from 1992's breakthrough album "Images And Words", "Innocence Faded" from 1994's "Awake", "The Spirit Carries On" from 1999's "Scenes From A Memory", and the rare outtake "Raise The Knife", an 11-minute workout from 1997's "Falling Into Infinity" sessions.

The second and third discs of "Score" feature DREAM THEATER backed by a 30-piece orchestra. Led by conductor and arranger Jamshied Sharifi, the Octavarium Orchestra accompanied the band as they tackled one of DT's most complex pieces of music, the 40-minute epic "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence". The inimitable New York-based band ended its anniversary concert with an intense, 30-minute version of "Octavarium" before returning for an encore to thank their rabid supporters with a performance of the fan favorite "Metropolis".

Directed by Portnoy, the DVD version of "Score" is fueled by DREAM THEATER's inspired performance and highlights the concert's spectacular light show. The DVD also features video backdrops that projected sly references about the band's past throughout the evening. In addition to the complete concert, the DVD contains several extras, including the animated sequence played during the band's performance of "Octavarium", and a one-hour documentary — "The Score So Far..." — covering the band's career, unreleased footage, and interviews with current and previous band members. As another bonus, the DVD includes three live performances culled from Portnoy's archives: "Another Day", from a 1993 concert in Tokyo; a 2002 performance of "The Great Debate" in Bucharest; and a 2005 performance of "Honor Thy Father" in Chicago.

A grassroots phenomenon for 20 years, DREAM THEATER continues to record studio albums acclaimed for award-winning musicianship as well as artistic vision. To meet the demands of a global fan base, the band also maintains an active touring schedule that regularly includes sold-out performances around the world. "The biggest reason we've been able to endure is our devoted fan base," says Portnoy. "Our fans are a big part of our story — just as big as the members and the music."

"Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live With The Octavarium Orchestra"

CD/DVD track listing (CD cover; DVD cover):

01. The Root Of All Evil
02. I Walk Beside You
03. Another Won
04. Afterlife
05. Under A Glass Moon
06. Innocence Faded
07. Raise The Knife
08. The Spirit Carries On
09. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
10. Vacant
11. The Answer Lies Within
12. Sacrificed Sons
13. Octavarium
14. Metropolis

DVD bonus material:

01. 20th Anniversary Documentary "The Score So Far..."
02. Octavarium Animation
03. Another Day (Tokyo - 1993)
04. The Great Debate (Bucharest, Romania - 2002)
05. Honor Thy Father (Chicago - 2005)

Sanctuary Records has announced plans to release the original VENOM "The 7th Date of Hell - Live at the Hammersmith Odeon" video on DVD format. The release will include other video footage and interviews etc. More information on this DVD will be made available soon.

Recorded in June 1984 in London, England, "The 7th Date of Hell - Live at the Hammersmith Odeon" features the following track listing:

01. Leave Me In Hell
02. Countess Bathory
03. Die Hard
04. 7 Gates Of Hell
05. Buried Alive
06. Don't Burn The Witch
07. In Nomine Satanus
08. Welcome To Hell
09. Warhead
10. Stand Up And Be Counted
11. Blood Lust

Sanctuary/Castle Music recently released an expanded edition of VENOM's "Cast In Stone" album. The 29-track digitally remastered (by Cronos) two-CD set includes a bonus disc of classic re-recorded VENOM tracks and five bonus tracks from the rare limited-edition 1996 mini-album, including "7 Gates Of Hell", "Welcome To Hell", "In Nomine Satanas", "Black Metal" and "The Evil One".

TIAMAT frontman Johan Edlund has posted the following message on his official MySpace page:

"Lots of people are asking us what we're up to and when they can expect a new TIAMAT album or at least a LUCYFIRE [Johan's other project] album... The answer to you all is: soon!

"Honestly, we're working on new TIAMAT songs at the moment and the plan is to have a three or four song demo ready within the next couple of weeks. With this demo we're gonna try to fool some cash off a record company and then we're pretty much set for recording a new album! I'd hate myself if we wouldn't at least start recording the damn thing this year! The release date we'll have to leave to the sharks! I've got some new LUCYFIRE songs written aswell. Anybody wanna release the disaster, let me know (aka send me a check)!!!

"Yep, we are alive! If you still doubt us, get your ass over to Ukraine the 13th of August and we'll prove it!"

TIAMAT's "The Church of Tiamat" DVD entered the Swedish Music DVD chart at position No. 5 back in early May. An e-card for the DVD is available at this location. The e-card contains several features, such as a streamable sample video of the DVD, the band's most recent tour dates, photos as well as detailed information on TIAMAT itself and the band's first official DVD release. The video teaser gives you the opportunity to check out the following songs: "Vote For Love", "Children Of The Underworld" and "Gaia".

TIAMAT, whose last studio album, "Prey", was released in 2003 through Century Media, are currently unsigned.

Karlshamn Sweden's BLINDED COLONY will release their new album, "Bedtime Prayers", on October 13 in Europe and October 17 in North America through Pivotal Rockordings. "So far we have recorded all the drums, guitars, and bass," guitarist Tobias Olsson says. "Schuster is still locked up with Johan B. in SoundPalace Studios working on the vocals. We also will be mixing and mastering 'Bedtime Prayers' shortly after the vocal tracks are completed.

"'Bedtime Prayers' will contain 10 neck-rippin' tracks and I'm sure that fans of our 'Divine' album as well as our demo tracks will be really content with the new material!

"Some of the song titles we will be using for 'Bedtime Prayers' will include: 'Bedtime Prayer', 'Heart', 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy', and new song, tentatively called 'My Halo'."

BLINDED COLONY's previous full-length record, "Divine", was recorded by the band at its own SoundPalace Studios in Karlshamn Sweden and released through Italy's Scarlet Records. The band once again plan to work with video producer Thomas Tjäder on music videos for the songs "Heart", "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", and the track still tentatively named "My Halo".

Finnish "fantasy metal" band BATTLELORE will enter MusicBros Studio in September to begin recording their fourth album, tentatively due in early 2007. The follow-up to 2005's "Third Age of the Sun" will be produced by Miitri Aaltonen, who has previously worked with the group on their first two CDs, "...Where The Shadows Lie" (2002) and "Sword's Song" (2003).

"Third Age of the Sun" entered the Finnish album chart at position No. 38 back in August 2005. The CD was recorded at SoundSuite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes (TRISTANIA, MORGUL, TURISAS). Mastering duties were handled at Finnvox studios in Helsinki.

Italian female-fronted quartet EXILIA has posted audio samples of all 12 tracks that are set to appear on the group's sophomore full-length album, "Nobody Excluded", due on July 21 via G.U.N./BMG Records. Check them out at www.exilia.de.

The follow-up to 2004's "Unleashed", "Nobody Excluded" was produced by Udo Rinklin and recorded by the infamous Resetti Brothers (Jörg Umbreit and Vincent Sorg), with Jeff Collier helping out with the vocal recordings.

"Nobody Excluded" track listing:

01. Kill Me
02. Nobody
03. Destroy My Eyes
04. No Colours
05. Your Rain
06. Get Sick
07. Speed Of Light
08. Fly High Butterfly
09. My Prophecy
10. In A Coma
11. Justify Yourself
12. Little Girl In A World

EXILIA's video for the album's first single, "Kill Me", can be viewed at this location (Real Media).

Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH have spent the last few months remixing their acclaimed 2002 effort, "Nothing", with plans to re-release the effort with a bonus DVD sometime this fall. Although nothing has yet been confirmed, the DVD is expected to include live footage from the band's most recent European tour.

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

Due to copyright and trademark issues, the band formerly known as RHAPSODY has changed its name to RHAPSODY OF FIRE. The band members consider this a great new start, reflecting the emboldened and increasingly grandiose direction that their music has taken. "The power of the dragonflame will burn brighter than ever before," says guitarist/songwriter Luca Turilli. Keyboardist/songwriter Alex Staropoli adds, "The name RHAPSODY OF FIRE better represents the energy that has always been present in this band and its music."

With a new record company in Magic Circle Music, a new tour planned and a new album on the way, RHAPSODY OF FIRE will continue to explore musical fantasy worlds with the precision musicianship and unique symphonic concepts that their fans have come to expect and adore. Fresh on the heels of the band's first live album release, "Live In Canada 2005 - The Dark Secret", a new name and renewed vigor ensure that RHAPSODY OF FIRE still hold the passion and power that have always been associated with their music.

For more information, visit www.rhapsodyoffire.com.

Greek metal act FIREWIND has signed a new deal with King Records for the Japanese territory. The group's new album, "Allegiance", will be released there on August 23 and the Japanese edition will include two bonus tracks — "Healing Tool" and "Demon Nights" — as well as the video for the first single, "Falling To Pieces".

As previously reported, "Falling to Pieces" entered the official single chart in the band's home country at position No. 35 before climbing to No. 11 in its second week of release. FIREWIND is also featured on the covers of the current issues of Rock Hard (Greece) and Metal Hammer (Greece).

As previously reported, "Falling to Pieces" has been made available for streaming at this location. A video for for "Falling to Pieces" was recently filmed with acclaimed Swedish director Patric Ullaeus (LACUNA COIL, WITHIN TEMPTATION, IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR). The clip was shot at the Revolver Ranch in Sweden and on the streets of New York City.

"Allegiance" marks FIREWIND's first release with new members Apollo Papathanasio (vocals; ex-MAJESTIC, TIME REQUIEM) and Mark Cross (drums; ex-HELLOWEEN, METALIUM).

"Allegiance" is due in Europe on July 24 via Century Media Records.

Belgian death metallers ABORTED have issued the following update:

"Work is proceeding well on the 'The Auricular Chronicles' DVD, which is set to be released by October through Listenable Records. Previews will be online by the end of the summer on both websites and OneOone (www.oneOone.fr), who are doing an amazing job with the footage so far! Artwork for this release will be in the hands of Spina studios, who also did the last LENG TCH'E record. As stated, the DVD will contain a liveshow of an hour shot in Paris with 13 cams, sound remixed by Tue Madsen, both videoclips, backstage shenanigans, other live shows, interviews with all bandmembers and more.

"The new album... We're right in the middle of the writing process, and middle is the right word since we have half of the record written so far and things are going pretty smoothly. The follow-up to 'The Archaic Abattoir' has been baptized 'Slaughter & Apparatus: A Methodical Overture'. This slab of gore will be recorded at the Antfarm once again with Tue Madsen and should see a worldwide release in early 2007 on Century Media Records. Some songtitles so far are: 'The Chondrin Enigma', 'Prolific Murder Contrivance', 'Archetype: Malice And Scorn', 'Avenious', 'The Spaying Seance' and more. So far the material is a mixture of the last two records, adding a notch of brutality and diversity. Artwork will again be handled by Killustrations and should revolve around a concept, later to be revealed.

"Besides all these exciting things, we are most honoured and pleased to announce that the album will feature guest appearances by no less than Jeff Walker (CARCASS), Barney Greenway (NAPALM DEATH) and some other surprises, stay tuned!!"

Swedish metallers THE DUSKFALL have parted ways with bassist Marco Eronen. "Marco has left the band to focus on his main band, RAISED FIST," the group writes on its web site. "He is temporarily replaced by Matte Järnil, ex-21ST IMPACT. Matte did a great job at Nummirock and he will also play at Jalometalli [August 18-19 in Oulu, Finland]."

THE DUSKFALL's third album, "Lifetime Supply of Guilt", is available now on Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Source" was produced by Daniel Bergstrand, who has previously worked with IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH and STUCK MOJO, among others. Mastering duties were handled at the Cutting Room in Solna, Sweden.

Regina, Saskatchewan-based progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY have set "The Scattering of Ashes" as the title of their new album, due this fall via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Buried in Oblivion" was recorded at Touchwood Studios in Regina and was mixed by Andy Sneap (NEVERMORE, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY).

Regarding the direction of the new material, guitarist/vocalist Tim Roth had previously stated, "So far, I think it is a mix between 'Dead Or Dreaming' and 'Buried In Oblivion'. For this album we kept some things a bit more stripped down. Now we won't have five vocal harmonies going at once. The band decided that we want to sound more like we do live, so we stuck to two-part vocal harmonies. It still sounds killer though and I'm sure people will dig the new melodies. Stu [Block] did a great job singing on this album. He has five different voices that he can change back and forth from. Wait to you hear some of the notes he hits!"

INTO ETERNITY's new CD will mark the group's first release with Block, who was previously a member of Vancouver's OMEGA CROM. The band's third album, "Buried in Oblivion", was released in February 2004 through Century Media Records.

Check out pictures of INTO ETERNITY recording "The Scattering of Ashes" at Touchwood Studios at this location.

Launch Radio Networks reports: Musicians and fans are still in shock over the death last week of PINK FLOYD founder Syd Barrett at the age of 60.

Former RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE singer Joe Lynn Turner told Launch, "I don't know anyone that loved PINK FLOYD that wasn't influenced in some way by Barrett's presence and songwriting. He was a big voice in the band, although he was always overshadowed by the others. He was a true original, and there will never be another one like him again. He will be truly missed.

Former OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Bob Daisley told Launch, "His situation reminds me of Brian Jones's with the ROLLING STONES. In my opinion, without either of them, Brian and Syd, I think there would not have been a ROLLING STONES or a PINK FLOYD as we know them. Brian was probably there to welcome him into the place where the good musicians go, bless 'em both."

BEACH BOYS' Bruce Johnston, who did some of the vocal arrangements on the PINK FLOYD album "The Wall", told Launch, "Syd Barrett dreamed up the 'roots' path for PINK FLOYD to 'fill out' in future amazing albums. We might not have had 'The Wall' and 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' had it not been for Syd's early PINK FLOYD musical contributions."

JAMES GANG drummer Jimmy Fox told Launch, "Syd was an early example to us of what could be accomplished by thinking outside the traditional boundaries of rock music. His early work sounded like no one else and it caught our attention because it was so different, both musically and, especially, lyrically."