A video clip of DREAM THEATER performing the DEEP PURPLE classic "Highway Star" in Seoul, Korea in January has been posted online at YouTube.com.

In continuation of their tradition of covering a classic album in its entirety at any two-night stands in the same city, DREAM THEATER performed DEEP PURPLE's "Made in Japan" at several shows in Asia (including Seoul).

In previous two-night stands, DREAM THEATER have performed METALLICA's "Master of Puppets", IRON MAIDEN's "The Number of the Beast" and PINK FLOYD's "Dark Side of the Moon". The METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and PINK FLOYD sets are currently available at www.ytsejamrecords.com and the DEEP PURPLE set is coming soon.

Danish modern metallers MNEMIC have tapped SCARVE singer Guillaume Bideau as the replacement for Tony Jelencovich (ex-TRANSPORT LEAGUE, B-THONG). As a result, Bideau has left SCARVE in the middle of the recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2004's "Irradiant", which was previously expected this fall via Listenable Records.

As previously reported, MNEMIC recently employed the writing talents of guitarist/producer Roy Z. for one song that will surface on MNEMIC's upcoming album, due out in early 2007. The talented and heralded guitarist and songwriter for TRIBE OF GYPSIES, as well as producer of such recent metal classics as BRUCE DICKINSON's "Chemical Wedding", HALFORD's "Resurrection" and JUDAS PRIEST's "Angel of Retribution", Z. collaborated on guitar recently with MNEMIC as the band prepare to start recording their untitled third album for Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band: "The track has turned out really good. You can hear the heavy mixture of Roy's along with the MNEMIC style. We've been a fan of Roy's work since first hearing his production on the DICKINSON and HALFORD albums, he always comes out when we are playing in L.A. and is a good friend of the band. We've actually never collaborated with other musicians before when it came to composing songs, so we thought we could combine some of his heavy grove with some of our polyrhythmics and make a song."

MNEMIC's second album, "The Audio Injected Soul", was released by Nuclear Blast Records on October 5, 2004 in North America.

Danish death metallers CORPUS MORTALE will soon release a three-song seven-inch single/EP, entitled "Seize the Moment of Murder", through Nuclear Winter Records. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

In other news, CORPUS MORTALE are nearly done recording their sophomore album, entitled "A New Species of Deviant". "We will also use this summer [to work on] new tracks and hopefully find a proper steady guitarist to fill [the vacant slot]," the band write on their web site.

CORPUS MORTALE's debut album, "With Lewd Demeanor", was released in 2003 via Neurotic Records.

Finnish melodic death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM have announced the addition of singer Jukka Pelkonen (a.k.a. "J") from the band called ELENIUM as their new frontman.

"Jukka and other ELENIUM dudes have been our dear friends for a really long time, so it seemed very natural choice for us to ask Jukka for his services — in fact he was the ONLY one we ever thought and aske," the band write in a statement. "The rehearsals with Jukka have gone really well and in good spirit, and he has brought much-needed new life to the band with his aggressive growling vocal style and new ideas. We hope that all of you give Jukka a fair chance to show his skills and talents and then draw your conclusions. At least we, the OG crew, are amazed about this and have again strong faith to OG's future and new stuff. We are not trying to fill [former singer] Antti's [Filppu] shoes cause it's not possible. Jukka will do his own stuff and write his own lyrics, he has our full backing and support. The writing and demoing of the new material is going on and the new stuff will be...... HHEAVY!"

Jukka will make his live debut with OMNIUM GATHERUM on July 11 at the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival after-party at Gloria in Helsinki, Finland.

OMNIUM GATHERUM are currently seeking a new label home, having parted ways with Nuclear Blast Records last year. The band's latest album, "Years in Waste", was released in the U.S. in March 2005 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2003's "Spirits and August Light" was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne and engineer Teemu Aalto.

German metallers PRIMAL FEAR have parted ways with Nuclear Blast Records. In addition, the band's bassist/songwriter Mat Sinner (real name: Matthias Lasch) — who was previously employed by Nuclear Blast as a label manager — is no longer working for the company, and hasn't been since January of 2006.

PRIMAL FEAR's latest album, "Seven Seals", entered the German national album chart at position No. 65 last October. The follow-up to 2004's "Devil's Ground" was produced by Sinner, along with Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HALFORD, HAMMERFALL), at the House of Music studio near Stuttgart, Germany, and was mixed at the Warehouse studio in Vancouver, British Columbia with Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA, COVERDALE/PAGE, SLIPKNOT, AEROSMITH, THE CULT).

As previously reported, Mat's other band, SINNER — who were also previously signed to Nuclear Blast — recently inked a new record deal with MTM Music. The band will enter a studio near Stuttgart in September with producer Achim Köhler to record a new album, entitled "Mask Of Sanity", for a January 19, 2007 release.

Long-running New York power metallers VIRGIN STEELE have posted the following message on their official web site:

"The new VIRGIN STEELE album is almost finished. Mixing commenced several weeks ago, and David [DeFeis, vocals] is nearly finished with all the tracks. He should have the mixing wrapped up within a week or two, and then he needs a few days more for mastering. All looks quite promising for an early September release. We will keep you informed.

"In related news, David and Edward [Pursino, guitar] flew over to Germany last week for a listening session for the new album, with all the key German magazines, and the reaction was extremely positive."

VIRGIN STEELE's last studio release, "Book of Burning", came out in 2002.

After the outstanding success of their debut "The Heroes' Code" the Electro-Metal heroes Vigilante return with their new EP. Their new CD could be subtitled with "The Spanish EP" because three of their hits are re-released in Spanish. This makes the songs appear in a completely new version - and in addition to this, you will also find the track "Justice" - a preview to the new album "A War of Ideas". Moreover there are remixes done by Funker Vogt, Z Prochek, Chiasm, Amateur God and Obszön Geschöpf. Absolute highlight of this CD is the professional video clip of "The Other Side"!
Tracklist:
01. Juicio Final (The Other Side/Spanish Version)
02. Resistir (One Good Reason/Spanish Version)
03. Sangrar (Survive/Spanish Version)
04. Justice (Advance 2006/A War of Ideas)
05. The Other Side (Funker Vogt Remix)
06. One Good Reason (Z Prochek Remix)
07. Survive (Chiasm Remix)
08. Before (Amateur God Remix)
09. The Other Side (Obszön Geschöpf Remix)

+ MPEG Video "The Other Side"

The cover artwork for STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's new album, "The New Black", has been posted online at this location.

The follow-up to last year's "Alien" was recorded at the Armoury and Profile studios in the band's hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia and was mixed by Mike Fraser, who has previously worked with AC/DC, AEROSMITH and METALLICA, among others. A July 11 release via Century Media Records is expected.

"The New Black" track listing:

01. Decimator
02. You Suck
03. Antiproduct
04. Hope
05. Wrong Side
06. Monument
07. Far Beyond Metal
08. Fucker
09. Almost Again
10. Polyphony
11. The New Black

Bonus tracks

12. The Long Pig
13. C:enter:###

Oderus Urungus (GWAR) - Guest Vocals on "Far Beyond Metal"
Bif Naked - Guest Vocals on "Fucker"
Cam Kroetsch (THE ALMIGHTY PUNCHDRUNK) - Guest Vocals on "You Suck"

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD filmed a video for the first single, "Wrong Side", from "The New Black" on Sunday (May 28) with director Dave Brodsky (THE RED CHORD, GOD FORBID).

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have posted the following message on their official web site:

"No updates for a while, but rest assured that we haven't been resting on our laurels. We're insanely busy with the songwriting for the next album, and it's now decided that the recordings will start in October. More details about studios (yes, that's in plural), working partners and so forth will follow as soon as everything is 100% confirmed.

"As for the music itself, the material we're working on covers the whole gamut from laid back acoustic sections to furious blastbeats, so you can all look forward to a diverse and challenging offering. Most songs are still in the embryonic stages, so it'll be interesting to see how things develop.

"Some media goodness to make the wait for the next magnum opus easier: A 15-minute video clip of our gig at the Fury Fest in France (June 25, 2005) has been uploaded to our MySpace page. As usual with these homemade recordings, the quality itsn't stellar, but it gives a good enough representation of the show. Also, we found an old version of 'Away, Delight, Away' from an 8-track promo recording we did in our rehearsal studio back in the spring of 1994. This is an early incarnation of the song that differs slightly from the version that ended up on the 'Of Chaos and Eternal Night' MCD. The promo itself also contained 'Punish my Heaven' and 'The Gallery', and was sent out to a select few record labels and tape trading contacts."

DARK TRANQUILLITY recently completed a North American tour with OPETH, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND and DEVILDRIVER in support of "Character", their highly acclaimed latest album that brought these originators of the famed Gothenburg scene back to the forefront of the genre. "Character", recorded once again at Studio Fredman (IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY), has also been praised as their most groundbreaking yet as it retains all of the band's classic elements and thought-provoking lyrical content while blending the perfect amount of unrelenting aggression and melody.

ROB ZOMBIE's video the track "American Witch" has been posted online at MP3.com. Check it out at this location.

As previously reported, a video clip of ROB ZOMBIE's live performance of the track "American Witch" on CBS' "Late Night Show with David Letterman" — which was taped Wednesday afternoon (May 24) for broadcast later that night — has been posted online at YouTube.com. The appearance marked ZOMBIE's live debut with new bassist Matt Montgomery (a.k.a. Piggy D.; ex-AMEN/WEDNESDAY 13), who joined the group as the replacement for the recently departed Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (also ex-CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER). As BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively reported on May 11, Nicholson left Zombie earlier in the month in order to join OZZY OSBOURNE's recording/touring band.

"Educated Horses", Zombie's third solo album, has sold 270,000 copies in the U.S. since being released on March 28.

"The Haunted World of Superbeasto", an animated film based on Zombie's El Superbeasto comic book character, will be out later this year. The rocker-turned-filmmaker is also working on the script for his third live-action feature.

H.I.M. frontman Ville Valo has told the U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine that the Finnish goth metallers will begin work on their follow-up to "Dark Light" in the summer. "We're going to take some time off in July," explained Valo. "Then we'll work on a few demos. I've got ideas for melodies and riffs, but we'll decide together if they're good enough or if they're shit!"

As previously reported, H.I.M.'s new video for the song "Killing Loneliness" has been posted online at this location.

The new "Killing Loneliness" video was shot on April 2 in Los Angeles, California. H.I.M. were joined in the new clip — which was directed by Nathan Cox (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MARILYN MANSON, KORN, LINKIN PARK, STAIND, DISTURBED) — by tattoo artist Kat Von D; she is one of the featured artists on the Discovery Channel's "Miami Ink" series and has made a name for herself as the go-to gal for H.I.M. fans who'd like to mark their bodies with the band's logo, the heartagram.

To view the original version of the "Killing Loneliness" video — which was reportedly scrapped due to a "poor American response," according to the group's frontman, Ville Valo — click here.

"Killing Loneliness" comes off H.I.M.'s latest album, "Dark Light", which has sold more than 419,000 copies in the United States since its late September release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The follow-up to 2003's "Love Metal" was recorded in Los Angeles and mixed at New York's Electric Lady studios with producer Tim Palmer (DAVID BOWIE, OZZY OSBOURNE).

Long-running German death metallers RESURRECTED have announced the addition of drummer Hazim Fouad to the group's ranks. Fouad, who has played with the German thrash metal band SKULLBREAKER for the past four years (and will continue to do so), said in a statement, "I want to thank the guys of RESURRECTED for this great opportunity and I'm gladly looking forward to our further cooperation. I hope I can follow my predecessor's [Michael Scholz] footsteps and won't disappoint any fan of the band!"

RESURRECTED have entered Soundlodge Studio in Germany to begin recording their fifth album, "Endless Sea of Loss", tentatively due in September via Morbid Records. "Ben [Bays, bass] and Thomas [Granzow, guitar] just returned from their bass and guitar recording session. The session turned out very well, the next one will be Adriano who's about to blast Catacomb Recordings with his drum session by next week. Carsten [Scholz] will record his vokills one or two weeks later. Mixing is scheduled for beginning of July at Soundlodge Recording again. Await nothing but a killer death metal record, that's all we can say right now!!!"

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.

PANTHEON I, the Norwegian extreme metal band featuring vocalist/guitarist Andrè Kvebek (1349) and guitarist John Espen Sagstad (TROLLFEST, SARKOM), recently completed a pre-production recording for the band's upcoming sophomore album. The three new songs laid down during the session — "Where Angels Burn", "Core of the Soul" and "Decent into Darkness" — along with a cover of EMPEROR's "Thus Spake The Nightspirit", have been made available for download in the "Media" section of the band's official web site, www.pantheon-i.com.

Available on World Chaos Productions, "Atrocity Divine" was mixed at I.Y.F. Studios in Oslo, Norway by Martin Storm-Olsen and PANTHEON-I, and was mastered at Strype Audio by Tom KvГҐlsvoll. The front-cover artwork for the CD was done by Kjell Г…ge Meland.

PANTHEON I combine aspects of black, death, progressive and speed metal to create a unique sound that features violin and cello. "Atrocity Divine" will apeal to those who have a fascination for brutal, extreme and melancholic music.

Just a reminder that APOCALYPTICA released their "Best Of" package Amplified - A Decade Of Reinventing The Cello and the double DVD set, The Life Burns Tour, on Friday, May 26th. The track lists are as follows:

Amplified - A Decade of Reinventing The Cello:
CD 1: 'Enter Sandman', 'Harmageddon', 'Nothing Else Matters', 'Refuse/Resist', 'Somewhere Around Nothing', 'Betrayal', 'Farewell', 'Master Of Puppets', 'Hall Of The Mountain King', 'One', 'Heat', 'Cohkka', 'Kaamos', 'Deathzone', 'Angel Of Death'

CD 2: 'Repressed', 'Path Vol.2', 'Bittersweet', 'Hope Vol.2', 'En Vie', 'Faraway Vol.2', 'Life Burns', 'Seemann'

The Life Burns Tour:
DVD 1: 'Intro - Apocalyptica', 'Path', 'Master Of Puppets', 'Somewhere Around Nothing', 'Fight Fire With Fire', 'Quutamo', 'Heat', 'Betrayal', 'Nothing Else Matters', 'Hope', 'Life Burns', 'Fisheye', 'Bittersweet', 'Seek & Destroy', 'Prologue', 'Creeping Death', 'Inquisition Symphony', 'Enter Sandman', 'Refuse/Resist', 'Hall Of The Mountain King'

DVD 2: US Tour Film (bonus material), EPK - 'Repressed' (bonus material), 'Bittersweet' (video), 'Life Burns' (video), 'How Far' (video), 'Wie Weit' (video), 'Faraway Vol.2', 'Somewhere Around Nothing', 'Seemann' (video), 'Repressed' (video)

As previously reported, Apocalyptica released the single 'Repressed', featuring Max Cavalera from SOULFLY and Matt Tuck from BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE on May 19th. The track list is as follows: 'Repressed' (single version), 'Path Vol. 2', 'Betrayal', 'Repressed' (video).

To view the artwork for all three releases go to this location.

Los Angeles melodic thrash/death metallers CERBERUS have uploaded two tracks from their upcoming "What Have We Become?" EP — "Obsidian" and "In Contempt" — to their MySpace.com page. The EP is slated for a July 15 release through Hell and Death Records.

"What Have We Become?" track listing:

01. Fallen Empire
02. Obsidian
03. What Have We Become?
04. In Contempt
05. The Answer

Following the EP release, CERBERUS will head out on a full U.S. tour with YEAR OF DESOLATION (Prosthetic Records) and FOREVER IN TERROR (Metal Blade), who recently changed their name from 7TH PLAGUE due to trademark issues. Confirmed dates are expected to be available in the coming weeks.

The cover artwork for GORGOROTH's new album, "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam", has been posted online at this location. The CD is scheduled for release in Europe on June 19 via Regain Records and July 25 in the U.S. through Candlelight.

Splitting studio time between Lydriket and Earshot Studios, GORGOROTH's "Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" is said to be "the logical next chapter for the highly decorated and controversial Norwegian black metal band; many already calling it their most accomplished work to date." The CD was mastered by guitarist Infernus (real name: Roger Tiegs) at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" track listing:

01. Wound upon Wound
02. Carving a Giant
03. God Seed (Twilight of tha Idols)
04. Sign of an Open Eye
05. White Seed
06. Exit
07. Untamed Forces
08. Prosperity and Beauty

Check out the song "Wound upon Wound" at this location. "Carving a Giant" is available for streaming by clicking here.

GORGOROTH reportedly recorded several shows on their fall 2005 European tour with 1349 for an upcoming live album, entitled "True Norwegian Black Metal". Scheduled for a late autumn release in 2007, it will mark and celebrate GORGOROTH's 15-year anniversary.

GORGOROTH were most recently signed to Nuclear Blast Records, who released the band's last three efforts: "Twilight of the Idols" (2003), "Incipit Satan" (2000) and "Destroyer" (1998). The band's first three albums — "Pentagram" (1994), "Antichrist" (1996) and "Under the Sign of Hell" (1997) — were re-released last year in a remastered, digipack version via the French label Season of Mist.

ANTIMATTER, whose recording/touring lineup has included current and former members of ANATHEMA, will enter the studio on June 9 to begin recording their fourth album, "Leaving Eden", tentatively due before the end of the year via The End Records. Confirmed guest musicians for the follow-up to 2005's "Planetary Confinement" include Danny Cavanagh (lead guitar, piano), Ste Hughes (bass), Rachel Brewster (violin) and Chris Phillips (drums).

"Leaving Eden" projected track listing:

01. Another Face In A Window
02. Ghosts
03. Redemption
04. Landlocked
05. The Freak Show
06. Fighting For A Lost Cause
07. Leaving Eden
08. The Immaculate Misconception
09. Conspire

Artwork for the album will be handled by Adrian Owen.

ANTIMATTER recently licensed their live CD, "Live@K13" to the Greek label Sleaszy Rider. The CD, which was originally issued in 2003, will be re-released later this year with two bonus tracks. "Live@K13" was recorded live in Lille, France and features covers by classic ANATHEMA tracks such as "Lost Control", "Alternative 4" and more.

According to the official BLAZE fan site, Blazefans.com, the band won't be releasing a new album until 2007. With the exception of playing the Z7 Metal Days Festival and possibly the Big Bash, they will be lying low for the rest of 2006. The webmasters have filed the following "update" on Blaze's plans:

"Today, we webmasters have been granted the outstanding opportunity to speak to the band, both by phone and by email. Some of you have been asking for updates on the website for a long time, and we can assure you that we are and have been taking precautions to give you accurate and correct news, theres only a time and place for everything –and now is one of them, and there will be more further on in the future.

"Blaze is still as strong as always. There will be a gig on Z7 in Switzerland this year, and currently Mr. Bayley is involved in so many things, judging from my telephone convo with him that I personally wonder how these people actually have time to sit down and eat. The man is very open and professional in everything he does, and he assured me that the band is planning very thoroughly every action they take, in every little detail, whatever it might be.

"This year the band is occupied on all directions due to different obligations in the lineup. 2007, however, will be something completelly different and I will not say more in this matter no matter who asks me. That story is to be told directly from management level themselves when it is time to do so."

Singer Ferdy Doernberg of the German epic/melodic metallers ROUGH SILK has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"Unfortunately I have some very sad news. Hilmer Staacke, the original guitar player of ROUGH SILK died yesterday He had asthma from birth and unfortunately didn't survive the last episode. I don't know any details yet. Ralf [Schwertner, ex-bassist] just called me and informed me about Hilmer's death.

"I'm in L.A. at the moment and ironically playing four shows with Hilmer's favorite guitar player, Warren DeMartini from RATT. I'm shocked at the moment and really don't know what to write. Hilmer, Ralf and I went to school together and founded ROUGH SILK. Hilmer leaves his wife and his four-year-old daughter behind.

"I'll be back in Germany on Monday and write some more news then."

Nuclear Blast Records is has announced the signing of one of the most innovative metal bands in the world: NILE! Mixing Egyptian tunes with technical death metal elements and thus creating a very unique style, NILE rank among the elite of the brutal riff league, as masterpieces like "In Their Darkened Shrines" or last year's "Annihilation of the Wicked" impressively show.

Commented NILE mainman Karl Sanders: "NILE is pleased to announce the recent signing of its new record deal with Nuclear Blast. We are excited about the possibilities and potential of this new partnership with the wonderful people at Nuclear Blast. We are most certainly eagerly looking forward to working on the next NILE album and to fearlessly continue bringing NILE's unique brand of Ithyphallic brutal death metal to our fans. We also would like to thank Matt and Gordon and all the team at Relapse for many years of happiness working with them, we count them as our friends and comrades still and wish them all the best."

Check out a photo of Karl Sanders signing the new contract at this location.

A new NILE album is scheduled for release in 2007.

Earache Records has pushed back the release date of the new DEICIDE album, "The Stench of Redemption", to August 22 from the previously announced June 6. However, fans will still be able to check out two songs from the upcoming CD — "Homage For Satan" (666 mix) and "Crucified For The Innocence" (666 mix) — via the iTunes music store on Tuesday, June 6 (06/06/06).

This exclusive online EP offers fans the first advance taste of two brand new DEICIDE tracks. These digital download-only songs are still red hot, recently forged by the band with co-producer Jim Morris, in the satanic depths of Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Fl., and mark the devastating DEICIDE debuts of new axemen Jack Owen (formerly of CANNIBAL CORPSE) and Ralph Santolla (ex-DEATH, ICED EARTH). The EP also offers a glimpse of the disturbing album imagery which will accompany the retail release.

To view the video trailer for the EP, click here.

A photo of Joey Jordison (drums; also in SLIPKNOT) and mainman Al Jourgensen, taken at the video shoot for the MINISTRY song "Lies Lies Lies", has been posted online at this location. The clip was directed by Zach Passero at the 13th Planet Studios and The Pershing Theatre in El Paso, Texas and features the following lineup:

Tommy Victor (PRONG) - Guitar
Al Jourgensen - Vocals, Guitar
John Bechdel (FEAR FACTORY, KILLING JOKE) - Keyboards
Mike Scaccia (RIGOR MORTIS) – Guitar
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - Drums
Paul Raven (KILLING JOKE) – Bass

The clip is expected to debut on various outlets mid-June.

"Lies Lies Lies" comes off the group's latest CD, "Rio Grande Blood", which was released in early May. The CD sold just under 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 134 on The Billboard 200 chart. The follow-up to 2004's "Houses Of The Molé" was produced by MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen at 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, TX, mixed at The Saltmine in Mesa, AZ, and mastered at DNA Mastering in Studio City, CA. The album features guitarist Victor, Raven and drummer Mark Baker, with guest appearances by Jello Biafra (ex-DEAD KENNEDYS) and Sgt. Major.

Swedish power metallers AXENSTAR have finished recording their fourth album, "The Final Requiem", due in September via Germany's Massacre Records. According to the band, "it is by far the heaviest release in the history of AXENSTAR. We are all extremely happy with the result. The European version will contain 12 songs and the Japanese bonus version 13 songs." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Pagan Ritual", "Seeds of Evil", "Condemnation", "Final Requiem", "The Hide" and "End of the Line".

AXENSTAR recently parted ways with guitarists Peter Johansson and Thomas Eriksson due to "personal reasons." The three remaining members will continue with the help of new lead guitarist Joakim Jonsson (SKYFIRE, THE MIST OF AVALON).

AXENSTAR were previously signed to the Arise label.

CHROME DIVISION, the Norwegian five-piece featuring DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath (a.k.a. Stian Thoresen) on guitar, will head over from Oslo to Gothenburg June 3-4 to shoot a video for the song "Serial Killer" with director Patric Ullaeus (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, SOILWORK).

"Serial Killer" comes off CHROME DIVISION's debut album, "Doomsday Rock 'N Roll", due in North America on August 8 via Nuclear Blast Records (July 27 in Germany). The disc was recorded in Oslo, Norway, last winter and contains a musical direction described by the band as "stripped down groovy rock 'n' roll with a primitive attitude." A tour will follow the album's release before the end of the year.

"Doomsday Rock 'N Roll" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Doomsday Overture
02. Serial Killer
03. Hate
04. Trouble With The Law
05. Chrome Division
06. Here Comes Another One
07. 1st Regiment
08. Breathe Easy
09. The Angel Falls
10. Till The Break Of Dawn
11. We Want More
12. When The Shit Hits The Fan

CHROME DIVISION lineup:

Shagrath - Guitar
Luna - Bass
Eddie Guz - Vocals
Ricky Doom - Guitar
Tony White - Drums

CHROME DIVISION have uploaded full-length MP3s of three unmastered tracks on their official web site. The songs available for download at this location are "Serial Killer", "Breathe Easy" and "The Angel Falls".

Ari Bendersky of The Associated Press recently conducted a short interview with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King. Read on:

AP: Since the new record isn't done yet, tell me about the new music — what's the lyrical content?

KK: "It's pretty much SLAYER '06. There's war songs, religious songs, satanic songs — it's what you'd expect the next chapter of SLAYER's life to be."

AP: This is the first album you're doing as the original lineup since 1990. How are things different now?

KK: "Everybody has grown up. Whatever childhood issues we had is water under the bridge. I think we're better because we separated. I think we probably would've killed each other. Now it's like, you go on and be SLAYER like we're supposed to be."

AP: SLAYER has had its share of controversy over the years with some people accusing the band of being Nazi sympathizers and white supremacists.

KK: "I think that's another case where people are taking on a position without getting all the facts. When people called us Nazis, we have a Chilean guy singing the lyrics. People make an opinion before they're completely informed. It's never a fair fight that way. They think that's how something is and you can't argue with irrationality."

AP: What's life like on the road for you now?

KK: "Pretty much the same as it ever was. This is our tour in a nutshell: we soundcheck, sleep until 3, play and stay up all night watching movies."

AP: So it's really not as exciting as your fans might expect it to be?

KK: "Nah. We learned the more things you break the more things you pay for. I like my money a lot more than paying for (stuff) we broke."

SLAYER's still-untitled follow-up to "God Hates Us All", which was released on Sept. 11, 2001, is due July 25 via American Recordings. For the project, the group reteamed with longtime collaborator Rick Rubin to executive produce their first new album with their four original members since 1990's "Seasons in the Abyss".

SLAYER will preview their first album in five years with an EP exclusively available at Hot Topic stores. The album will include "Cult", the lone new song the band plans to play live on the upcoming Unholy Alliance Tour.

Swiss metal pioneers CELTIC FROST have announced the addition of Norwegian guitar player Anders Odden to their touring lineup.

Odden, who has played with APOPTYGMA BERZERK, SATYRICON, CADAVER, and MAYHEM, auditioned for the group in April, and returned to Zurich, Switzerland (CELTIC FROST's base) last week for dedicated tour rehearsals. A life-long CELTIC FROST devotee, Odden will be performing with the band for their summer festival performances.

Commenting on the forthcoming performances, the group's frontman, Tom Gabriel Fischer, quipped, "Satan will be pleased."

As previously reported, a CELTIC FROST "Monotheist" microsite has been launched at this location. You will find the songs "Progeny" and "Ground" as streams, band photos, release dates and tour dates.

SINNER have inked a new record deal with MTM Music. The band's current lineup — which includes PRIMAL FEAR bassist Mat Sinner, his FEAR bandmate Tom Naumann (guitars), Frank Rössler (keyboards), METALIUM's Matte Lange (guitars) and former PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling — will enter a studio near Stuttgart in September with producer Achim Köhler to record a new album, entitled "Mask Of Sanity", for a January 19, 2007 release.

Commented MTM president Mario Lehmann: "I'm really pround and especially happy about this signing and that a metal legend like Mat Sinner decided to release his next SINNER album on MTM Music. With 'Mask Of Sanity', we will not only please the traditional friends of hardrock, but also a lot of metal fans!"

Regarding the prospect of working with Klaus Sperling again, Sinner said in a statement, "It's really fantastic to have Klaus back on board and with MTM Music, we found a great trustfully partner for the band's future! I can promise that 'Mask Of Sanity' will be a 100% SINNER album, with a lot of harmony guitars and all trademarks of the SINNER history!"

Klaus Sperling is no stranger to the SINNER songs, as he helped out the band on their Japan tour 1999, their European tour with DIO in 2000 and some open-air performances in Europe. Sperling also played drums on the SINNER version of ACCEPT's classic "Balls to the Wall".

Added Sinner: "We've finished the pre-production for the first bunch of tracks and we're excited. Here are some of the songtitles: 'The Sign', 'Revenge', 'Last Men Standing', 'Thunderroar', 'Mask Of Sanity' and 'Black'."

KINGDOM COME's webmaster Marko Wolf (brother of KINGDOM COME mainman Lenny Wolf) has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"Lenny just got back from Berlin where he finalized the [new KINGDOM COME] record with [mastering engineer] Marc Einstmann. So far so good. We are not happy about having to wait with the release until September 15th, but again: Due to the upcoming soccer world championships the record labels don't even wanna think about releasing anything until the soccer craziness is over.

"To be honest, I don't think that anyone of the band would be available for anything sensible anyhow. Especially Yenz [Leonhardt, rhythm guitar] and Lenny will be 'out of order' during the games! Please forgive them in advance. Even I just got digital cable, ensuring I can watch as many games as possible here in the States. [Lenny's brother reportedly lives in the Seattle area — Ed.] Also: [production manager] Frank Trzaskowski just returned from his trip to Russia, where he finalized the record-deal with CD-Maximum. Warm greetings to our russian soldiers! Hope to you see all soon!"

KINGDOM COME's upcoming CD will be the follow-up to "Perpetual", which came out in 2004. The band cancelled their U.S. tour in early 2005 due to problems in obtaining correct work permits in time for the trek.

A high-quality video clip of OZZY OSBOURNE performing his classic song "Crazy Train" in front of the Prince of Wales and an audience of 2,000 in the historic grounds of the Tower of London on May 20 has been posted online at this location.

Charles, president and founder of the Prince's Trust, was joined by the Duchess of Cornwall and Princes William and Harry at the special concert, according to UTV. During the show viewers were asked to pledge money to the Prince's Trust, established by Charles in 1976, which offers support by training, mentoring and financial assistance to help people achieve their potential.

Charles along with his wife Camilla and his sons later met the stars of the show, including Ozzy, his wife Sharon and daughter Kelly.