Thomas Väänänen, who normally screams his lungs out for Swedish folk metallers THYRFING, will contribute some guest vocals on the upcoming MOONSORROW album. Väänänen has made a posting concerning this in MOONSORROW's studio diary, which can be found at www.moonsorrow.com.

MOONSORROW entered the studio on May 29 for the recordings of their fifth album, due out late 2006/early 2007. The band will take a one-month break from the studio with 98 percent of the material recorded. The second session is set to take place starting July 31, with the trademarked hungover viking choirs and mixing of the album.

MOONSORROW's most recent CD, "Verisäkeet", was issued last year via Spikefarm.

Lords Of Metal webzine recently conducted an interview with TYPE O NEGATIVE drummer Johnny Kelly. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Lords of Metal: I understand that you are in the middle of the studio work for the new album. How are things going?

Johnny: "Things have been moving along. All the basic tracks are just about completed but there is still a tremendous amount of work that still needs to be done. We're hoping to have the CD completed in about eight weeks."

Lords of Metal: Can you unfurl a bit of style and some songs you recorded until now?

Johnny: "I'm not sure of the titles of the songs. That stuff will always be changing until everything is finished. I would say that this CD is covering just about everything we have done musically over our career. There are songs that remind me of something that we have done on every CD. The new album is very heavy at times, but I'm sure that it has the layers and textures on it that some of our later songs had."

Lords of Metal: I heard that it should be a return to the days of CARNIVORE, so, more close ties with the hardcore scene again?

Johnny: "There are a few songs on this one that could've easily fit onto a CARNIVORE CD. I don't think that the lyrics will be as shocking but I'm sure that the sarcasm will be in there though."

Lords of Metal: After 'Life Is Killing Me' you changed label from Roadrunner to SPV. Can you go a bit deeper into your parting ways with your original label? And your expectations right now signed by SPV?

Johnny: "There really isn't any drama attached to us switching labels. We fulfilled our contract with Roadrunner when 'Life Is Killing Me' was released. After that, we spoke to a few different labels and SPV felt like the best place for us. I think that SPV is great label for TYPE O NEGATIVE and they know what they're doing. So far the relationship has been good."

Lords of Metal: Does this DVD ["Symphony For The Devil"] mark the closing of a chapter in your career?

Johnny: "Every time the band has released something I always feel that may be the final chapter of our career. I don't know if it's a closing chapter or not. When we feel the time is right for something we try to go with that feeling. We may release another DVD somewhere down the road but it's hard to say definitely, yes or no at this time. It is something that fans have been asking for since we released 'After Dark'. The fans have been asking for a live one and now felt like the right time to do it."

Lords of Metal: How long is the recording process going to last and are there tour plans for this year? Or more occasional gigs?

Johnny: "The recording will hopefully be completed in about eight weeks. We're planning on a fall release and will tour then. We don't have any plans for any shows until then."

Read the entire interview at www.lordsofmetal.nl.

Legendary punk/metal crossover band D.R.I. (DIRTY ROTTEN IMBECILES) have issued the following update on the condition of guitarist Spike Cassidy, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer:

"Spike Cassidy, founder/guitarist of D.R.I., was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2006. A one-foot section of large intestine (colon) was removed through an eight-inch incision in his stomach. The surgery, which took place on March 27th, was said to be successful in removing all traces of the cancer. Cassidy is now going through six months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments to try to prevent the cancer from reappearing, which is known to be common.

You can help out Spike and his family with your donations to Spike Cassidy Cancer Relief.

"All tours and shows have been canceled. Merchandise orders will all be shipped much later then the normal 2-4 weeks. If your waiting on an order that's already late, be patient, it's on the way, promise. All orders will be shipped as soon as possible.

"Updates on Spike's health, and the band's future will be posted [on the band's web site] monthly. Spike, his family, and D.R.I. appreciate the concern every one has shown, and wish they could thank each and every one of you personally."

MORDICHRIST, the Swedish black metal band featuring DARK FUNERAL guitarist Chaq Mol, have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We planning to do an obscure video, our first. We are gonna take one of the songs from the forthcomming 7" EP. Video director and everything is already booked. we have not set the date for when we are gonna start. More to come."

MORDICHRIST recently entered the studio to "record some new obscure music," according to a posting on the group's web site. "I can promise that you will not be disappointed," said Chaq Mol. "As always, we will keep it simple, but with a good sound."

MORDICHRIST had previously issued a limited-edition (500 copies) 10-inch mini-LP via Danza Ipnotica.

As previously reported, MORDICHRIST singer Nenia is going lend her diabolical voice to the German black metallers CAEDES on their new CD. No further information is currently available.

A video clip of SOIL performing the song "Halo" live at the Download festival at Donington Park, England on June 9 — featuring a guest appearance by WICKED WISDOM frontwoman, actress Jada Pinkett Smith (wife of Will Smith) — has been posted online at YouTube.com.

SOIL's latest album, "True Self", was released in early May via DRT Entertainment. The follow-up to 2004's "Redefine" was recorded and mixed at Bomb Shelter studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Ulrich Wild (STATIC-X, TAPROOT). The CD is the group's first to feature singer A.J. Cavalier, who previously fronted the California-based DIESEL MACHINE (also featuring ex-DAMAGEPLAN frontman Patrick Lachman on guitar). The band's original vocalist, Ryan McCombs, has since joined the Texas act DROWNING POOL.

Irish folk metallers CRUACHAN have posted the cover art for their new album, The Morrigan's Call here. As previously reported, Cruachan are currently without a label due to Black Lotus Records closing it's doors recently. To listen to a sneak preview mp3 (low quality unmastered sample) from the new album head here.

Interested labels are urged to email the band at cruachan@ireland.com.

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

"We have now started the recording of our forthcoming album (yet untitled!) and we're well on our way with recording the basic tracks. Everything is working and sounding fu**ing great... except for the bass amp that blew up and almost caught fire!

"As we told you before, this time we're producing the album ourself, and it feels real good to be totally in charge. The recording engineer is none other than the legendary Lennart Östlund, who's famous for his work with LED ZEPPELIN, SCORPIONS, GENESIS... to name but a few!"

Check out pictures from the recording studio at this location.

As previously reported, EUROPE's acoustic version of "Yesterday's News", recorded during an appearance on the Stockholm, Sweden radio station 106.7 Rockklassiker on December 7, 2005, has been made available for download at this locaton.

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."

Legendary Japanese metallers LOUDNESS wil be releasing a new DVD, tentatively titled "Loudness Liveshocks World Circult 2006 - North US Tour" on August 23. The disc will feature footage from the band's North American tour, which took place earlier in the year. More information will be made available soon.

Crash Music Inc. recently released LOUDNESS' "Rockshocks" CD, a collection of re-recorded versions of some of their classic songs from their early years as chosen by the fans. Originally issued in Japan in October 2004 via Tokuma Japan Comunications, the CD includes material from the "The Birthday Eve" (1981), "Devil Soldier" (1982), "Law of Devil's Land" (1983), "Disillusion" (1984) and "Thunder In the East" (1985) albums.

Austrian "angelic bombast metal" act EDENBRIDGE will release their their fifth album, "The Grand Design", in the U.S. via Napalm Records. An exact release date will be announced soon. As previously reported, the CD will be issued in Japan on July 26 via King Records.

The follow-up to 2004's "Shine", "The Grand Design" was recorded at The Farpoint Station studio in Austria and the Thin Ice facility in England with THRESHOLD mastermind Karl Groom. Guest musicians on the album include Dennis Ward and Robby Valentine, both of whom were responsible for backing vocals and choirs on the new CD. A single, featuring the band's cover version of the James Bond classic "For Your Eyes Only" (originally sung by Sheena Easton), was issued in April.

After four years of mysterious seclusion in separate corners of the world, Cinema Strange have met again in their secret headquarters to produce “Quatorze Exemples Authentiques Du Triomphe De La Musique Décorative". This third album from the veteran spooky art-rock troupe brings together new worlds of fascination and intrigue, and new musical vistas that plunge into and explore the topsy-turvy carnival ride that is life in this and alternate realities.

Vocalist, Lucas Lanthier, brings more musical stories to the table, featuring magicians and tragically unlucky gentlemen and cannibals who eat themselves. The band itself surges forward with a quickened heartbeat, featuring live drums for the first time on a Cinema Strange studio album. Also included is a Bonus disc featuring two of Lanthier's short stories, read by the author, that were eventually turned into songs. Witness the third stage in the Cinema Strange evolution ! This exceptional album is presented as a luxurious, double-digipak edition complete with three beautifully designed booklets !
Tracklisting
Disc 1 :
01. First Example
02. Mr. Quilt's Rotten Luck
03. Unlovely Baby
04. Fourth Example
05. Needlefeet
06. Squashed Blossoms
07. Intermezzo :
08. Bright Violet Euphoria
09. Rat Catcher
10. Ninth Example
11. The Toad Curse And How It Perished In Flames
12. Molars
13. One Time One Summer?
14. I Remember Tendon Water

Disc 2 :
01. Needlefeet
02. Toad Curse And How It Perished In Flames

AMASEFFER is the new "holy project" from Andy Kuntz, enigmatic lead singer of German progressive metal band VANDEN PLAS.

The story of Exodus will be told in the eventual trilogy of albums with the Hebrew name of Amaseffer referring to the name chosen for the Israelites in the Bible.

Originating from Israel, the musical side of Amaseffer features Yuval Kramer (guitar), Hanan Abramovitch (guitar) and Erez Yohanan (drums). The unique progressive sound of the trilogy is a mixture of Middle Eastern spices with an epic, cinematic scope polished with philharmonic orchestrations.

Andy Kuntz will co-produce the albums, with the second and third albums due nine and eighteen months respectively after the release of the first CD. The band are not yet signed but hope a deal can be arranged soon.

To check out sound samples, click here.

It was reported earlier this week that SEPULTURA's founding drummer, Igor Cavalera, has decided to leave the band. His official statement regarding his decision can be found here. The band has since issued the following press release via their official website:

"Since the beginning of Sepultura the ideas of the band were based on the open mindedness, a strong attitude, and the belief in what ever it is that you set your mind to do do it with all your heart.

This band has grown to become more then just the individuals in it, with it's additions of members from the start and until now. The ideas and determination from all the members co-founders or not has kept this band together for many years along with the important belief from our supportive fan base.

We set out to create, perform, and communicate our music to the world, an aspect of Sepultura that is still alive with us. We do not want to quit in the middle of what we started because this means something to us and to the people that believe in us. We created an album and video with the idea of supporting them 100% and that is what we plan to do with our releases.

We will finish the touring cycle world wide for Dante XXI which we already started. We have enlisted (Jean Dolabella from Belo Horizonte) to come to complete the touring cycle on the road who will bring the positive attitude, passion and drive that has given the integrity to the name SEPULTURA.

Despite of all our efforts to compromise and respecting Igor's desire to have a break for himself we needed to follow up with our new release with touring which is what was expected of us to do. With Igor's full understanding that we would continue the touring cycle with someone else it was accepted and fully understood by him. Upon return from the first part of the tour Igor decided to leave the band by his own choice and we can accept that. We wish him all the luck in what ever it is he wishes to pursue."

KAYSER, the Swedish band featuring former SPIRITUAL BEGGARS frontman Spice and ex-THE MUSHROOM RIVER BAND drummer Bob Ruben, will release a new EP, entitled "Good Citizen EP", on July 3 via Scarlet Records. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Good Citizen
02. Lost in the Mud (from upcoming full-length)
03. Fall (from upcoming full-length)
04. Propaganda (non-album)
05. Good Citizen (video)

KAYSER's sophomore album, "Frame the World…Hang It on the Wall", was recorded at Caesar Studios with producer Richard Larsson and is scheduled for release this fall. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Cake", "Evolution" and "A Note from Your Wicked Son".

California-based metallers AGENT STEEL have revealed the tentative track listing for their as-yet-untitled new album, due in early 2007. The songtitles are as follows:

01. Wash The Planet Clean
02. Fashioned From Dust
03. Hail To The Chief
04. Wormwood
05. Liberty Lying Bleeding
06. Tiamat's Fall
07. Lamb To The Slaughter
08. Cold Blood
09. WPD (Worldwide Pandemic Devastation)
10. Extinct

Check out an audio sample of the track "Wash The Planet Clean" at this location.

AGENT STEEL's new album will be mixed by Bill Metoyer and will be followed by a European tour.

ANAL CUNT frontman Seth Putnam will be traveling to Russia at the end of this month to play a week's worth of shows with band call ANAL NOSOROG, performing nothing but ANAL CUNT songs. The dates are as follows:

Jun. 30 - Tula
Jul. 01 - Moscow
Jul. 02 – Kiev (Ukraine)
Jul. 04 - Penza
Jul. 05 - Samara
Jul. 06 - Toliatti
Jul. 07 - Yaroslavl
Jul. 08 - St. Petersburg
Jul. 09 - Tver

As previously reported, ANAL CUNT recently parted ways with guitarist John Kozik and drummer John Gillis. Replacing Kozik is returning axeman Josh Martin. A new drummer has apparently been found but has not yet been announced.

Florida's DIABOLIC have returned with a new lineup, featuring founding member Aantar Lee Coates (drums) and his UNHOLY GHOST bandmate Kelly McLauchlin (guitar), alongside BLASTMASTERS members Jesse Jolly (vocals/bass) and R.J. (guitar).

According to a posting on the group's web site, DIABOLIC's new CD, "Shellfire and Tombstones", was produced by Juan "Punchy" Gonzales and DIABOLIC at D.O.W. (Diet of Worms) studios and "is the most evolved and devastatingly brutal DIABOLIC record yet," featuring "blistering guitar work, stellar leads, devastating machine gun drum work, and demonic vocals." A release date for the effort has yet to be announced.

KISS frontman Paul Stanley has inked a deal with Universal Music to release his new solo CD, "Live to Win", in September.

Stanley's first non-KISS release since his self-titled 1978 album (issued in tandem with solo projects from the other three original KISS members) features contributions from session drummer Victor Indrizzo, guitarist Corky James, former MARILYN MANSON and current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick (who plays bass on a few songs) and noted string arranger David Campbell. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Wake Up Screaming", "Second to None", "Live to Win", "Bulletproof", "Where Angels Dare" and "Lovin' You Without You Now".

In a February 2006 interview with ABC News, Stanley revealed that he is planning a tour to support the CD, and said he'll be bringing out a bigger band than he's used at past solo gigs, "because there's a lot more going on on this album." He estimated he'll have about six people in his band. As for the musicians he used during the recording of "Live to Win", Stanley said, "[It's] some friends of mine — it's not a 'who's who.' I didn't want to do one of those albums where you list people and it becomes some sort of a, trying to impress everybody with names. So it's a great album. Everybody loves it."

1349 guitarist and founding member Tjalve (real name: André Kvebek) has left the Norwegian black metal act after nine years and three studio albums to focus on his other bands PANTHEON I and SARKOM.

Commented Tjalve in a statement: "I will remember 1349 as the most diabolical, vicious and plague-ridden band ever to stride the Earth, and I'm proud to have been a part of it. I'm confident that they'll continue to plague mankind for ages!"

1349 announced earlier in the year that they were going to be utilizing the services of former NILE drummer Tony Laureano on their upcoming dates as regular skinsman Frost is busy with promoting SATYRICON's recently released "Now, Diabolical" CD.

1349 released their third studio album, "Hellfire", in the U.S. last October via Candlelight Records. Recorded at Studio Studio in Nyhagen, Norway, "Hellfire" was supported by a European tour with Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH.

Finnish melodic power metallers THUNDERSTONE have posted the following message on their official web site:

"THUNDERSTONE spent their second weekend rehearsing and demoing new material for the forthcoming fourth album at Sonic Pump Studios. There are currently five new songs in a very rough form, missing vocals etc. but nevertheless sounding better than ever! Expect some heavy, groovy, and melodic stuff! The band also had special surprise guests as Finnish teenage (10-13 year old!) rockers SCHOOL OF ROCK visited the studio. The future of Finnish metal is here!" Check out the pictures at this location.

THUNDERSTONE's third full-length album, "Tools of Destruction", was released in the U.S. in June 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed at Timo Tolkki's (STRATOVARIUS) Goldenworks studio with producer/guitarist Nino Laurenne.

DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie has posted the following update at his official website following scattered reports that he was in Russia last week recording vocals for a proposed opera-oriented project:

"Yes, I was in Russia last week. I arrived June 6th and recorded for five days. I just returned home last evening. We have recorded the same 21 songs the 3 tenors did in 90'. The project is masterminded by Dirk Ulrich from Germany. He re-arranged and recorded the songs with a string section and very fine rock musicians, him included. They still have the classical elements in tact as well as rock so that the songs have an edge to them. They sound phenomenal.

"The three singers were...yours truly, Vladimir Grishko and Thomas Dewald. The both of them are stars and have incredible voices. We all got along fabulous and worked extremely well togther. There was definitely mutual respect for one another. We really did had a blast. We also did a photo shoot and many interviews for Russian TV and other various media outlets.

"There will be more information posted here and on DT's site once we get everything put together. The project is going by the name TSR (True Symphonic Rochestra) I am extremely proud of what we did. Both Luciano Pavorotti and Madame Cabelle (she sang and recorded Barcelona with Freddie Mercury) are really excited about this and completely believe in it.

"That is all I want to say at this point but believe me this will blow your mind when you hear it."

The "final" cover artwork for SLAYER's new album, "Christ Illusion" — complete with the band's logo and album title — has been posted online at this location. Larry Carroll, who did the cover artwork for SLAYER's "Reign in Blood", "South of Heaven", and "Seasons In the Abyss" album, painted this original piece for the "Christ Illusion" cover. Working only from the song titles and early lyrics, Carroll has produced a classic SLAYER masterpiece — a portrait of the Christ whose forearms have been chopped off, standing in an ocean of blood surrounded by floating, decapitated heads. Carroll created the painting on a 4-by-4-foot slab of wood using a combination of mediums. SLAYER guitarist Kerry King already has placed dibs on ownership of the original wooden canvas.

"Christ Illusion" is SLAYER's first new studio album since 2001, and the first recorded by the band's original line-up — King; Tom Araya (bass, vocals); Jeff Hanneman (guitars); Dave Lombardo (drums) — since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss". "Christ Illusion" was produced by Josh Abraham and executive produced by Rick Rubin.

"Christ Illusion" is scheduled for release on August 8, 2006 via American Recordings/Warner Bros. Records.

According to a posting on OPETH's official web site, the band's cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Soldier of Fortune" — recorded at the BBC and set up as a bonus track for the upcoming special edition of "Ghost Reveries" — will be re-recorded at the famed Atlantis studios in Stockholm. This is due to unforseen legal problems with the BBC in the U.K. Therefore the BBC recording won't be available other than through downloads. Other tracks recorded during the BBC sessions were "The Grand Conjuration" and "When".

As previously reported, the special-edition deluxe version of "Ghost Reveries" will be released on July 25 via Roadrunner Records. Other bonus material on the set will include a 40-minute documentary about the making of the record complete with the band's own private tour footage, the video for "The Grand Conjuration", liner notes, photos, an enhanced 24-page booklet, deluxe sleeve, and 5.1 surround exclusive mix of the record made by original mixed/engineer Jens Bogren.

OPETH recently announced the departure of longtime drummer Martin Lopez. After being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks, Lopez decided he wanted to concentrate fully on his own project, currently unnamed. His replacement will be Martin "Axe" Axenrot, who's been filling in for the last five tours and who also recorded with the band during the recent BBC sessions.

According to Rockdetector.com, Sony Music in Norway has revealed that "The Pentagram Burns" will be launched this summer as the second SATYRICON single taken from the "Now, Diabolical" album.

"Now, Diabolical" debuted at No. 2 on the national Norwegian charts and also charted in Sweden and Finland. The album's first single, "K.I.N.G.", released in April, hit the Norwegian singles charts at No. 7.

"Now, Diabolical" is the follow-up to 2002's "Volcano", which received the Norwegian Grammy for "Best Metal Album", the Alarm Award for "Song Of The Year" (for track "Fuel For Hatred") plus "Metal Album Of The Year", and also the Oslo Award for "Best Overall Album". "Volcano" debuted at No. 4 on the Norwegian national album chart.

Readers of the U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine recently voted SATYRICON "Best Underground Band."

SOULGRIND, the Finnish band featuring former LULLACRY frontwoman Tanja "Whisper Lilith" Kemppainen (a.k.a. Tanya), have entered D studio to begin recording their eighth album, "Pakana", for a late 2006 release. The follow-up to "The Origins of the Paganblood", which was issued in January 2005 via France's Holy Records, should be completed by the end of June.

"Pakana" track listing (not final sequence):

01. Under The Cloud Of Gloom
02. Northbound Reverend
03. Pakana
04. Against The Grain
05. The Path Of Screams
06. Frost Shines Blue
07. Through The Gates Of Desperation
08. The Second Over Tuoni's Realm
09. As Bronze May Be Much Beautified
10. Wheel
11. The Soul Of The Battle
12. Lost Gardens Beyond The Sunset

According to the band, fans can expect to hear "55 minutes of beautiful, dark, powerful and melodic metal."

SOULGRIND features:

• Azhemin - Vocals (also in THY SERPENT)
  
• Ms W Lilith - Vocals (ex-LULLACRY)
  
• Lord Heikkinen – Guitar (also in TWILIGHT OPHERA, GLOOMY GRIM, FIERCE)
  
• Agathon The Beast - Drums (also in GLOOMY GRIM)
  
• JP - Bass (also in PENTATONIK)
  
• TByte - Guitar (also in TWILIGHT OPHERA)
  

Finnish goth metallers TO/DIE/FOR will release their fifth album, "Wounds Wide Open", on October 4 in Finland. Release dates in other territories have not yet been confirmed. The first single from the CD, "Like Never Before", will be delivered to Finnish radio stations in July, and it wll be released in Finland on September 6.

The follow-up to 2005's "IV", "Wounds Wide Open" was recorded by Samu Oittinen at Fantom Studios and by Jari-Jukka Nippala at Sonic Image, and will now be sent to Sweden's Abyss Studios where it will be mixed by Peter Tägtgren (DIMMU BORGIR, CELTIC FROST). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Wicked Circle", "Guilt Ridden State", "Quiet Room" and "Liquid Lies".

TO/DIE/FOR's new CD will be the follow-up to the "IV" album, which was recorded at Sonicimage studios in Kouvola, Finland and was mixed at Finnvox studios in Helsinki with Mikko Karmila.

Norwegian metallers NOCTURNAL BREED have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We have decided to leave Painkiller Records because of major communication problems and the fact that they have broken the contract we had with them.
Therefore we are now in the process of finding a new label. Also, the recording for the new album is complete and only the mix is left."

As previously reported, NOCTURNAL BREED are scheduled to release their follow-up to "The Tools of the Trade" (Holycaust Records), entitled "Code of Conduct", in September.

"Code of Conduct" projected track listing (in no particular order):

01. Code of Conduct
02. Fields of Rot
03. Man-Skinner
04. The Dead
05. In Sickness and in Hell
06. Behind the Front
07. Scything Harrow
08. Too Damned to Conquer
09. Iron Bitch
10. Wicked, Vicious, Violent
11. Metal Church

NOCTURNAL BREED recently announced the addition of guitarist A.E. Rattlehead (COCKROACH CLAN, CREST OF DARKNESS, HAMMERHEART) to the group's ranks. Rattlehead joins the band as the replacement for T. Thrawn (real name: Tom Kvålsvoll), who left the group last summer due to "internal conflicts."

NOCTURNAL BREED last year released a five-disc box set, entitled "The Remasters", through Painkiller Records. Limited to 1,000 copies, the set includes all of their previous releases, plus bonus tracks and demo recordings.