Sweden's SHOT INJECTION has parted ways with bassist Filip Svensson (ex-ROACH). His replacement in the group is Erik Samuelsson. The band's new lineup will make its live debut on Friday, July 14 at Henriksberg in Gothenburg, Sweden.

SHOT INJECTION recently uploaded their new songs "Follow My Chaos" and "Suicide Scenario", featuring guest appearances by EVERGREY frontman Tom S Englund and M.A.N/ex-MNEMIC frontman Tony Jelencovich (respectively), at this location.

SHOT INJECTION recorded their latest CD, "Eleven Triple Manifest", at Division One Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden for a late 2006 release.

"Eleven Triple Manifest" track listing:

01. Follow My Chaos
02. Suicide Scenario
03. Eleven

SHOT INJECTION's last effort, "Fear Comes Full Circle", was mixed and engineered by Arnold Lindberg (EVERGREY, DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES) and co-produced by Englund. The three-song release can be downloaded at www.shotinjection.com.

A brand new LYZANXIA track, entitled "Path Blade", has been made available for download at this location. The song comes off the French metallers' third full-length album, "Unsu", due in September via Listenable Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Mindcrimes" was recorded and mixed at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden by Fredrik Nordström and Patrick J. Sten. The mastering was done by Peter In De Betou at Tailor Maid Studio. The album has 12 tracks and the cover artwork was designed by Alain Tréhard.

"Unsu" track listing:

01. Wise Counselor
02. Path Blade
03. Ache Power Control
04. Early Phases
05. Strength Core
06. Bled Out
07. Unsu
08. X-Modification
09. Tedium
10. Answer Fields
11. Ascention
12. Defensive Heart

Long-running German death metallers RESURRECTED have finished mixing their fifth album, "Endless Sea of Loss", at Soundlodge Studio in Germany for a September release via Morbid Records. "Now it's up for the mastering process, which will be done by Peter 'Pluto' Neuber at Megawimp Mastering Studio in Berlin," the band write on their web site. "As the record sounds fuckin' killer in its current state already, we cannot wait to hear the final product. It'll be a total armageddon!!!"

The follow-up to 2003's "Blood Spilled", "Endless Sea of Loss" will include the following tracks, among others: "An Obseding End", "Hidden by Disguise", "Bloodmarked", "…and She Loves it a…" and "Until You Kill Yourself". The artwork will be created by Juan Jose Castellano.

RESURRECTED's fourth album, "Blood Spilled" was recorded at Excess studios in Rotterdam, Holland with producer Hans Pieters.

Belgian death metallers PREJUDICE have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We have got the news from [Greece's] Sleaszy Rider Records that the re-releases from all our albums [1996's 'Broken Promises' (featuring the band's demo as bonus), 2001's 'Reality' (which will be remixed) and 2003's 'Dominion of Chaos' (re-mastered)] are delayed until September because of the heavy delay in the layout department. We are working with a box thingie for the re-releases, so by this a new concept in the layout."

PREJUDICE recently announced the addition of session drummer Cristophe Piette (SOLIPSIST, MOTHRA) to the group's ranks. The group will enter Excess studio in Rotterdam, Holland next January to begin recording their fourth album, tentatively due in the spring of 2007. Mixing duties will be handled by Tue Madsen at Antfarm in Aarhus, Denmark.

Regarding what the fans can look forward to on the upcoming CD, the group write, "Expect nothing less then 'Dominion of Chaos' [the group's third album, which was released in 2003 on Painkiller Records]; we'll raise the benchmark of 'Dominion of Chaos' to a higher brutal extreme level."

Candlelight Records has set an October 17 American release date for "Above the Weeping World", the new album from Finland's INSOMINIUM. The label has uploaded the band's new video for album track "Mortal Share" at www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa (look under video section).

Recording at renowned Fantom and Finnvox Studios, "Above the Weeping World" contains INSOMNIUM's brand of melodic death metal, stunningly heavier with even further dynamic and melodic variety than that of their previous efforts. "This is by far the best Insomnium album," says vocalist/bassist Niilo Sevänen. "It is the first time we feel we really succeeded in studio. We have nine great tracks on the album. As a band we are very happy with the end result.'

For the past three years, Finland's INSOMNIUM have quietly founded a strong sales history and supportive fanbase. Their two recordings, "In the Halls of Awaiting" and "Since the Day All Came Down", represent mere glimpses into the potential of this still very young band.

Formed in 1997, the band recorded two demos before signing with England's Candlelight Records (home to OPETH's original trilogy of records).

"Above the Weeping World" track listing:

01. The Gale
02. Mortal Share
03. Drawn to Black
04. Change of Heart
05. At the Gates of Sleep
06. The Killjoy
07. Last Statement
08. Devoid of Caring
09. In the Groves of Death

Liechtenstein-based gothic metal band ELIS has posted the following message on its official web site, www.elis.li:

"Deeply confused and sad, we have to inform you, that Sabine [Dünser, vocals] isn't among us anymore! [During] the band's rehearsal on Friday [July 7], Sabine suffered a cerebral hemorrhage [from] which she died a day later at the hospital!

"[Out of respect for Sabine's] family and friends, we have decided to take the homepage from the net. We need time now to decide if and how we approach further and we will not answer any mails at the moment."

Dünser was born June 27, 1977 and joined ELIS, then still known as ERBEN DER SCHOPFUNG, in 2001. ELIS recently completed work on the follow-up to 2004's "Dark Clouds in a Perfect Sky" at Mastersound Studios in Stuttgart with producer Alexander Krull (ATROCITY, LEAVES' EYES). A video for "Der Letzte Tag", taken from the last CD, can be viewed at this location.

Groundbreaking Japanese metal act SIGH has revealed the final tracklisting for their forthcoming debut for The End Records, entitled "Hangman's Hymn".

Regarding the sound and direction of the new album, SIGH frontman/leader Mirai Kawashima said that "Hangman's Hymn" is "thrash-metal-meets-German-symphonies! Fast, heavy, bombastic and majestic!'

"Hangman's Hymn" track listing:

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

Act3

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.

"Hangman's Hymn" will be released later in the year.

SIGH has become one of the most respected and creative entities in the metal music scene thanks to the versatile and unique albums they have released, most notably 1997's black metal opus "Hail Horror Hail" and the psychedelic-tinged sounds of 2001's "Imaginary Sonicscape". The band's latest record is 2005's "Gallows Gallery" (Baphomet/Season of Mist Records).

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash and Billy Idol are featured in keyboardist Derek Sherinian's (ex-DREAM THEATER, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) first video off his new album, "Blood of the Snake" — a cover of MUNGO JERRY's "In the Summertime".

Shot on location in Los Angeles with director Chad Michael Ward of Digital Apocalypse Studios, "In the Summertime" captures the loose, happy-go-lucky spirit of the original, while getting an injection of Idol's gritty vocals and Slash's always sweet blues licks.

"The concept was very basic — five guys in a rehearsal room playing the song with some hot chicks hanging around," explains Sherinian. "It was very cool to see Billy and Slash together for the video. Everyone had a great time at the shoot."

On an album filled with guests ranging from Zakk Wylde to Yngwie Malmsteen, Sherinian's "Blood of the Snake" is yet another brilliant release from Sherinian into the combined worlds of fusion, prog, and metal. For Sherinian, the pleasure of doing "In the Summertime" was all his.

"'In The Summertime' was my favorite song when I was 3," acknowledges Sherinian. "Billy started singing it one day at soundcheck, and we started jamming on it. We agreed it would be a great song to cover one day. Slash was the perfect guitarist for this track. I think that 'In the Summertime' is a great, timeless song. The timing is perfect to do a remake, and the combination of Billy and Slash is very cool."

"Blood of the Snake" is scheduled for release on August 1 via InsideOut Music.

The new STONE SOUR video, "Through Glass", has been posted online at Yahoo! Music Canada. The clip was shot with director Tony Petrossian (HEAD AUTOMATICA, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) and features a special cameo by POISON guitarist C.C. Deville. The track comes off the band's sophomore album, "Come What(ever) May", due in the U.S. on August 1. The CD was recorded at a Los Angeles studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, VELVET REVOLVER) and marks the group's first effort since the departure of drummer Joel Ekman. Ekman has since been replaced by Roy Mayorga, who had previously played with SOULFLY in addition to recently completing a European tour with SEPULTURA.

A STONE SOUR e-card for "Come What(ever) May" has been launched at this location. The tracks "Reborn", "30/30-150", and "Through Glass" can be heard on the e-card, and the video for "30/30-150" is also available for viewing. The clip, which was shot in Los Angeles with director Paul Brown (MÖTLEY CRÜE, OTEP), received a "Headbanger's Ball" premiere on June 3.

STONE SOUR's new album will follow up the group's 2002 self-titled debut, which went gold and featured the hit single, "Bother".

STONE SOUR's lineup includes SLIPKNOT members Corey Taylor (vocals) and Jim Root (guitar).

Reunited Swedish hard rockers EUROPE are continuing work on the follow-up to 2004's "Start from the Dark", tentatively due this fall. The band have posted the following studio update on their official web site:

"The work is proceeding as planed. John Norum is now ready with all the rhythm guitars and has started with the solos. 'At last it's time to go crazy... for real,' John said with a mad grin on his face as he turned the amps to 11.

"Yesterday we went to Stefan Glaumann's studio to listen to the mixdown of the first song. We were very excited to hear what he had achieved. The result? To quote Ian [Haugland, drums]... 'It blew my pants off and kicked my balls blue and yellow, so now you can hang me up in a flagpole on the national day.' The rest of us simply agreed that EUROPE has NEVER sounded this great... Watch out!!!"

Check out pictures from the recording studio at this location.

As previously reported, EUROPE entered the Swedish Music DVD chart at position No. 9 in December 2005 with their live DVD, entitled "Live from the Dark". The two-disc set features the group's November 15, 2004 concert at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, England along with video clips, interviews, band information and a section called "Taxi Diaries."

The group's first collection of new material since 1991's "Prisoners In Paradise", "Start from the Dark" (2004) was produced by Kevin Elson, who had previously worked with EUROPE on their multi-platinum 1986 release, "Final Countdown".

Swedish grindcore mainstays REGURGITATE have completed work on their new album, entitled "Sickening Bliss". The band's fourth CD for Relapse is set for an October 17 release in North America (October 23 internationally). Check out the cover artwork at this location.

"Sickening Bliss" track listing:

01. Bliss
02. Abducens Eminence
03. Euphoric State of Butchery
04. Cocoon of Filth
05. Putrid Serenity
06. Tenderizing the Malformed
07. Violent Necrophilic Climax
08. Cavernous Sores
09. Reborn in Latrinic Ecstasy
11. Bleed on Me
12. Gutrot Hogfrenzy
13. Undying Lust for Cadaverous Molestation
14. Battered with a Brick
15. Devoured by Ghouls
16. Addiction (an Unconditional Love for Blasphemous Perversions)
17. (We Are) Sadistic Hateful Scum
18. Worm Eater
19. Perish in Blood
20. Upheaval of Human Entrails
21. Bathed in Feculence
22. Bestial Sons of Devastation
23. Defile
24. Deterioration of Grated Genitals
25. Excremental Investment
26. Hacksaw Hysterectomy
27. Catatonic Possession

Legendary hard rock vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN, SOUL SIRKUS) will assume the lead singer duties for JOURNEY starting with the July 7 show in Bristow, VA.

He replaces the band's regular frontman Steve Augeri, who has been forced to leave the band's current nationwide tour with DEF LEPPARD due to a "chronic throat infection." Steve Augeri's condition will be closely monitored by his physician to determine when he may be able to rejoin the tour. According to JOURNEY, "Steve's been suffering with an acute throat condition since before we kicked off the tour with DEF LEPPARD. We were hoping he'd be in well condition to handle the rigors of the road but unfortunately it appears to be a chronic condition requiring total voice rest. We all wish Steve a speedy recovery."

Jeff Scott Soto had previously recorded and toured with JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon as part of the SOUL SIRKUS project. A short video clip of Jeff Scott Soto performing the JOURNEY classic "Who's Crying Now" during SOUL SIRKUS' 2005 U.K. tour is available for viewing at YouTube.com.

Due to medical reasons, TESTAMENT drummer Louie Clemente will be unable to perform with the band on the upcoming shows scheduled in the United States, Europe, and South Korea. Veteran drummer and good friend Paul Bostaph (EXODUS, ex-SLAYER, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC) will be filling in for Louie on the following dates in July and August:

TESTAMENT are tentatively planning to enter the studio in the fall to record the long-awaited follow-up to 1999's "The Gathering", due in early 2007.

In a recent interview with LivingForMetal.com, TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson stated that the upcoming CD will feature the band's original lineup. He said, "We're gonna get Louie [Clemente] to come back to do some songs. The drummer situation, we are probably gonna use a couple of drummers 'cause we've had people that are in our lives and a part of TESTAMENT so it wouldn't be fair to not have these people play on it. Probably Jon Allen from DRAGONLORD and SADUS will play on it, who's also been a part of TESTAMENT and toured with us. Just the way we do things now, we don't tour extensively so it's kind of hard to keep steady players. Like if something comes up and someone's not available we'll go, 'Let's see if this guy's available.' Yeah it's gonna be killer, the new material is sounding pretty old-school. . . Alex's [Skolnick, guitar] got some riffs that he's been sending me and they sound pretty TESTAMENT, just really cool stuff. Like that 'Apocalyptic City' kind of vibe. Good chord progressions with octaves over it."

Canadian industrial doom/death metal outfit ZARAZA has decided to disband after 13 years. The group's mainman, Jacek, has issued the following statement on the matter:

"With a mixture of regret and at the same time relief, I have decided that the time of ZARAZA has come to an end. There are many reasons for this, both personal and musical. We have always promised nothing less than the best from us and right now that is simply not possible.

"We leave you with two fine albums, of which we are very proud. We hope they have provided you many hours of sonic explorations and doom enjoyment over the years and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks to all the 'zines, websites (in particular Doom-Metal.com) and above all the fans from all over the world who have kept us going for this long

"Before we leave for good, we have one final gift for you, two demo recordings of covers of SWANS ('Half-Life') and DANZIG ('Pain in the World') which you can download from our website at this location.

"Goodbye and good luck to each and every one of you. It has been our pleasure to become a part of your music collection."

Legendary metal giants SUFFOCATION have recently completed work on their new album, "Suffocation". The self-titled CD was recorded at Full Force Studios in Long Island, NY and will feature artwork from tattoo artist JonZig, which can be previewed here. "Suffocation" is set for a September 19 release in North America (September 25 internationally). Additionally, SUFFOCATION will appear as part of the North American Strhess Tour August 1 through August 12, along with SHADOWS FALL, POISON THE WELL and more. Immediately following their Strhess Tour dates, the band will embark on an 11-city European tour that includes performances at Up From the Ground open air festival, Mountains of Death festival and Els Rock open air, among others.

Hard rock veterans RIOT will release their new album, "Army of One", in Japan on July 17 via the Toshiba-EMI label. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

"Army of One" track listing:

01. Army of One
02. Knockin' At My Door
03. Blinded
04. One More Alibi
05. It All Falls Down
06. Helpin' Hand
07. The Mystic
08. Still Alive
09. Alive in the City
10. Shine
11. Stained Mirror (Instrumental)
12. Darker Side of Light
13. Road Racin' (live) (recorded Live at Club Citta', Kawasaki, Japan 1998)

Check out an audio sample of the album's title cut at this location (Real Media).

RIOT's recording lineup for "Army of One":

Mark Reale - Guitars
Mike Flyntz - Guitars
Pete Perez - Bass
Frank Gilchriest - Drums
Mike DiMeo - Vocals

RIOT's current touring lineup includes singer Mike Tirelli (MESSIAH'S KISS, HOLY MOTHER, BURNING STARR), who is filling in for regular vocalist Mike Dimeo due to Dimeo's commitments with THE LIZARDS (also featuring drummer Bobby Rondinelli of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT/BLACK SABBATH/RAINBOW fame).

In a recent interview with Rock N Roll Universe, Dimeo said about the upcoming CD, "I'm really proud of it. I think it's probably my best performance with the band. The songs are really heavy, really cool. Reale [Mark, guitar] is a tremendous writer, so it's hard to not get great stuff from him. He's such a good writer that no matter what way he does it, his songs usually come out great."

MelodicRock.com has uploaded a two-minute audio sample from the forthcoming self-titled CD by PLANET ALLIANCE, the all-star project featuring former OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Bob Daisley, HAMMERFALL members Magnus Rosén (bass) and Anders Johansson (drums), and NARNIA guitarist Carl-Johan Grimmark. Check out the song "The Real You" at this location.

PLANET ALLIANCE is said to be a project band where several respected, high-class musicians were carefully selected in order to participate in the lineup. The musical direction is described as "melodic hard rock/metal with strong hooklines."

Mike Andersson (CLOUDSCAPE) and Magnus Karlsson (LAST TRIBE, STARBREAKER, ALLEN/LANDE) started to compose songs for PLANET ALLIANCE in early 2005. Daisley and Janne Stark (LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, OVERDRIVE) were also invited to contribute with songs in order to complete the recordings. The album was produced by Anders Theo Theander at RoastingHouse Studios.

PLANET ALLIANCE recording lineup:

Micael Andersson (CLOUDSCAPE) – Vocals/Keyboards
Magnus Karlsson (LAST TRIBE, STARBREAKER) – Guitar/Keyboards
Bob Daisley (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, GARY MOORE) – Bass
Magnus Rosén (HAMMERFALL) – Bass
Anders Johansson (HAMMERFALL, ex-YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN) – Drums
Jaime Salazar (LAST TRIBE, ex-FLOWER KINGS) – Drums
Janne Stark (LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, OVERDRIVE) – Guitar
Carl-Johan Grimmark (NARNIA, ROB ROCK) – Guitar
Mattias "IA" Eklundh (FREAK KITCHEN, ex-FATE) – Lead Guitar

"Planet Alliance" track listing:

01. The Real You
02. Remember Me
03. Ain't No Pleasin' You
04. Calling My Name
05. A Taste Of Paradise
06. The Quickening
07. Divided We Stay
08. It's Your Cross To Bear
09. The Great Unknown
10. Where To Go
11. Digging Your Own Grave

"Planet Alliance" is scheduled for release on September 15 via Metal Heaven.

Long-running Birmingham-based heavy metal band MARSHALL LAW, who at one time featured Lee Morris of PARADISE LOST, has announced the addition of guitarist Dave Rothan to the group's ranks. "Dave is a local lad and has worked with such bands as GRAHAM BONNET and ROCK$TAR," the group write in a statement. "Dave is currently hard at work learning the band's various sets in order to make his debut appearance with MARSHALL LAW early this summer. The band welcomes Dave and looks forward to working with him."

Rothan joins MARSHALL LAW as the replacement for Jack Frost (SEVEN WITCHES), who left the band last month after lasting less than three months.

MARSHALL LAW are scheduled to release their new album, "Axis of Power", later in the year. The band's previous LPs include "Marshall Law" in 1990, "Powergame" in 1993, "Law In The Raw" in 1996, "Metal Detector" in 1997 and "Warning From History" in 1999. Sanctuary Records issued a double CD anthology set, "Power Crazy", in 2002.

REDEMPTION's primary songwriter and guitarist/keyboardist Nicolas van Dyk has issued the following update on the progress of the recording/mixing sessions for the band's new album, entitled "The Origins of Ruin":

"Spurred on by an email asking me what we'd been up to, I thought I'd let people know that we were still working away at getting our music to you.

"You can see some of the results of our photo shoot on our page here. Ray [Alder, vocals] pulled double-duty, ducking out of FATES WARNING rehearsals for a little while to take pictures, then heading back in. The shows in both the U.S. and Europe were a great success and Ray is in terrific form.

"We are all finished with the recording; I am going to Europe to mix the record in a few days and we should have a finished record by the end of July.

"Travis Smith, the fantastic artist who has done our previous covers, is working way on the new one...the preliminary work is terrific and it should be coming together in the next few weeks.

"Lastly, I am working on distribution deals worldwide. More on this as it becomes available."

Italian power metal band KALEDON will release their fourth full-length album, "Chapter 4: Twilight of the Gods", 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.

KALEDON's first three full-length albums are now available in the United States through Mythic Silence Records.

KALEDON have been making noise in the Italian metal scene since the late 1990s. The band have released three full length albums of what will eventually be a six-part epic entitled "Legend of the Forgotten Reign". The most recent, "The Way of Light", featured guest drummer Jörg Michael (STRATOVARIUS, RUNNING WILD, GRAVE DIGGER).

German progressive black metallers SECRETS OF THE MOON have finished recording their third full-length album, "Antithesis", at Klangschmiede Studio E. The follow-up to 2004's "Carved in Stigmata Wounds" is scheduled for release on September 15 via Lupus Lounge.

Commenting on the difference between "Antithesis" and "Carved in Stigmata Wounds", singer, guitarist and composer sGolden said, "The forthcoming album will indeed offer something totally different. Music-wise, these are the most intense and tight tracks we ever created. Spiritual darkness paired with a very progressive approach. The content of the songs is very direct, sometimes even perversely assaulting and desperate. A profession of loyalty to death in perfection."

Producer Markus Stock (THE VISION BLEAK, EMPYRIUM) added: "It was a great honour to work with a band as talented as SECRETS OF THE MOON on an album that will soon be recognized as one of Germany's most important metal albums in the realm of all things dark."

"Antithesis" track listing:

01. Nowhere (11:18)
02. Versus
03. Ordinance
04. Confessions
05. Metamorphoses
06. Ghost
07. Seraphim is Dead
08. Lucifer Speaks
09. Exit

Check out audio samples at www.prophecy-productions.de.

SECRETS OF THE MOON belong to the most prestigious group of bands in the German black metal underground, with their first demo release dating back to 1995. The band was formed out of the ashes of one of the very first black metal outfits stemming from German scene, MARTYRIUM.

Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM, who recently completed the Metal Crusaders tour of North America, are preparing to head overseas for appearances at Slovenia's Metalcamp and Germany's Earthshaker Fest festivals. In August the band will film their performance at the Party.San Open Air festival in bad Berka, Germany for their first-ever DVD, titled "Live in Germany", which will feature the whole show filled with an explosive setlist, a 30-minute documentary covering the band's 15-year history and a bonus live CD. A January 2007 release via Nuclear Blast is expected.

In other news, KATAKLYSM have uploaded the brand new video clip for the song "To Reign Again" at their MySpace profile. Check out the clip - which was shot during the band's last European tour, with footage shot in Germany, France and the Netherlands - at www.myspace.com.

These will be the last shows for KATAKLYSM for the rest of the year. The band will then start a second run of touring in support of their latest CD, "In The Arm of Devastation".

Danish power metallers MANTICORA have finalized the track listing for their new album, "The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters", due in Europe on August 25 via Massacre Records (August 29 in the U.S. through Locomotive Music).

"The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters" was recorded at the Jailhouse studios in Horsens, Denmark with producer Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, TNT, PRETTY MAIDS, FATE). Check out audio samples at Manticora.dk. The "Part 2" companion CD was also scheduled to be recorded during the same session, although details on that release are currently unavailable.

"The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Enter The Carnival
02. The Black Circus
03. Intuneric I
04. Enchanted Mind
05. Intuneric II
06. Forever Carousel
07. Freakshow
08. Gypsies' Dance Part 1
09. Intuneric III
10. Wisdom
11. Intuneric IV
12. Disciples Of The Entities
13. Soul Devourer (bonus track for Japan)
14. Private Hell - Live In Paris (bonus video clip for Korea)
15. Manticora on Tour (bonus video clip for Korea)

MANTICORA's fourth CD, "8 Deadly Sins", is available now on Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Hyperion" (Scarlet Records) was recorded at Jailhouse and features artwork by Mattias Norén.

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach has tapped Roy Z to produce his new solo album, "Angel Down", tentatively due in October via Spitfire Records. "Roy Z has produced albums for Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford and many other bands, including his own TRIBE OF GYPSIES, who we are playing with in Japan!" says Sebastian. "This album is sounding killer and is shaping up to be my best yet!!!"

Bach's current touring/recording lineup consists of the following:

Sebastian Bach - Vocals
Metal" Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD, PAINMUSEUM) - Guitar
Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, ex-DEATH, TESTAMENT) - Bass
Bobby Jarzombek (ICED EARTH, HALFORD) - Drums
Johnny Chromatic – Guitar

Also scheduled to make an appearance on the album is guitarist Adam Albright, who has previously played with SKINLAB and DOPESICK.

Bach's band will resume touring Europe with GUNS N' ROSES mid-July.

Former BLIND GUARDIAN drummer Thomen Stauch will be unable to perform any shows this year with his new band, SAVAGE CIRCUS, due to an unspecified medical/psychological condition. The following is Stauch's official statement on the matter:

"Due to ongoing serious private problems in the past months my psychological and physical constitution is completely broken and makes me unable to play the upcoming shows planned for this year! I know you all have been waiting a long time already to see SAVAGE CIRCUS live for the first time and I have been really curious to meet you all again as well, but there is just nothing I can do to change this situation

"The doctors are convinced, that a long-term rest along with several psychological and physical treatments for the next months is the only way to make me feel better. After fighting this reality for a longer time I am ready now to take this road. It is the only way to get back on my feet. My entire body is totally power-drained and I am almost unable to concentrate on anything. Furthermore I am suffering from a chronic tonsillitis for almost 10 weeks by now which even with antibiotics is not getting better. According to the docs it seems that all is based on my stressed body and mind, which do not get a recovery if I go on like this. So I will take this advice and will give my body and soul a break to regain my powers and charge up my battery for the upcoming SAVAGE CIRCUS production in 2007.

"Please understand that I cannot give you any information about the nature of my private problems since they should stay private. I am not exaggerating in saying, having still some power left in me is already a miracle under this circumstances. I hope you all do understand this serious situation. It breaks my heart to post this message, but I see no alternative.

"But there also is some good news: all shows will happen as planned! For good luck Piet could manage to hire Thomas Nack once more for the upcoming gigs, so the shows will happen for sure and with a more than worthy stand-in for me! So don't be sad, friends! Kick ass, as Piet, Thomas, Jens, Emil will do as well! Make every show a big party for me and have fun! This will give me the strength to go through all this. Right now I am not in the position of giving. This time I need you and your support. I know that none of you will let me down and this makes me feel better already.

"I truly hope to see you all again soon!"

In a separate statement, the other members of SAVAGE CIRCUS — Jens Carlsson (lead vocals), Emil Norberg (guitar), and Piet Sielck (guitars, backing vocals) had the following to say regarding the matter:

"As you can imagine we are quite shocked by this truly bad news, though it does not take us by surprise completely. We have been aware, that Thomen was having a real hard time in the past but it seemed as if he would be strong enough to deal with all his strokes of fate. Unfortunately, we overestimated his powers… just as he did himself, too. Please understand, that we also cannot talk about the nature of his problems, but we can say for sure that they are massive.

"Of course, Thomen gets all the support we can give. The band is behind him AS ONE! Therefore, besides our personal feelings about the live shows, it is our duty to play all 2006 shows for Thomen. There is no good in cancelling the gigs since SAVAGE CIRCUS is the only way to give Thomen what he needs most in those times: Support. Support by us, by our friends and partners and by you, the fans! He needs you! For decades it has been Thomen who was giving his heart and his music to you. 2006 it is your chance to pay him back. Come to the shows to party and kick ass with us so we can tell Thomen, what all our great fans are doing for him. This will be the ultimate medicine!

"As Thomen already said, we know that you will not let us down. We will start rehearsing with Thomas Nack right away to guarantee for killer SAVAGE CIRCUS shows in 2006!"

CIRCLE II CIRCLE — who feature in their ranks former SAVATAGE frontman Zachary Stevens — will release a new EP, entitled "Revelations", on August 18 via AFM Records. The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Revelations
02. Who Am I
03. The Black
04. Burden of Truth (acoustically enhanced version EP only)

As previously reported, AFM Records has pushed back the projected release date of the new CIRCLE II CIRCLE album, "Burden of Truth" to October 13.

"Burden of Truth" track listing:

01. Who Am I To Be
02. Matter Of Time
03. Heal You
04. Revelations
05. This Is Your Reality
06. Evermore
07. The Black
08. Messiah
09. Sentenced
10. Burden of Truth
11. Live As One

Bonus Tracks (acoustically enhanced versions):

12. Into The Wind
13. Burden Of Truth

Arlington Heights, Illinois-based death metallers ENFORSAKEN have issued the following update:

"It's official. After eight years of existence, we have decided to lay ENFORSAKEN to rest. We will play our final show Saturday, August 19th in Chicago athe Metro. This wasn't the easiest decision to make, but in the end, we agree that ENFORSAKEN has now run its course. We've accomplished everything that we set out to do, and now it's time to move on. We're all very proud of our last album, 'Sinner's Intuition', and feel that now is a good time to end the band.

"We've chosen to burn out on a high note now, rather than just slowly fade into obscurity. Due to our many obligations outside the band, we cannot continue to put 100% of our time into ENFORSAKEN. We were basically kids when this band formed, and over the years, things just have to change. Whether you like it or not. It's as simple as that. Some bands linger on for years past their expiration date. ENFORSAKEN will not become one of those bands.

"We'd like to thank every one of our fans across the globe for their support throughout the years. You are the main reason why we stuck around for so long. Thank you. Thanks to everyone else that had a role in making ENFORSAKEN what it is today. You know who you are.

"So there it is. Not much more really needs to be said. We hope to see some of you at our last show in August. DEAD TO FALL, THE KILLER as well as a few other cool bands will be on the bill. It should definitely be a night to remember.

"Thanks again. We'll see you around..."

Legendary hard rock band UFO has set "The Monkey Puzzle" as the title of their new studio album, due in Europe on September 25 via SPV Records (one day later in North America). The follow-up to 2004's "You Are Here" was recorded at Area 51 Studios with producer Tommy Newton, who also worked with the band on their last CD and who recorded the material for the band's "Showtime" live album.

The original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Pete Way (bass), Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards) and recently returned drummer Andy Parker, are scheduled to start their extensive world tour in October 2006. Parker was part of the UFO lineup that performed the group's debut show in the late Sixties and has returned to replace Jason Bonham, who left to join FOREIGNER. Also on board is their accomplished guitarist Vinnie Moore, who has been part of the permanent lineup since the last studio album, "You Are Here".

UFO's "Showtime" live CD/DVD was recorded at Pumpwerk in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on May 13, 2005.