The first of the IRON MAIDEN studio updates from producer Kevin Shirley, as well as some new studio photos, has been posted at this location. An excerpt from the report follows:

"After our first week of knuckling down and beginning to cut basic tracks, we had a very interesting second week. We've cut 10 long songs for the new album, as well as four songs for B sides, which show quite an interesting side to the band. Don't worry, there's nothing like the 'interesting-or-maybe-not' B sides which were all that were left over for the Dance of Death singles. These are great cover versions with a terrific and humourous spirit!

"Anyhoo, the spirit in the band is as high as I've ever seen. Wing Commander Biggles (as I call Bruce [Dickinson]) is running around like a chicken with its head cut off, singing every take live, like it was his last — 'Arry, or Steve [Harris] is sounding better than I've ever heard since I began producing the band, galloping along very strongly — and the material is definitely the 'groovingest' in a decade. The songs are very progressive, with catchy choruses and I have to confess to being VERY optimistic about the material."

IRON MAIDEN recently confirmed a full European leg of their world tour for this coming winter 2006. The trek will start in Scandinavia on November 9 and will include new album material which will be released prior to the tour. They are currently considering album artwork and the production for the tour, which of course will be in true MAIDEN tradition with spectacular stage production and massive sound and lights ... and, of course, Eddie!!

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that hundreds of hopefuls began lining up outside the Rockit Room nightclub in San Francisco on Tuesday (March 21) — some eight hours before the 10 a.m. casting call — in order to compete for the singer slot in SUPERNOVA, the new supergroup featuring MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, former METALLICA bassist and current VOIVOD member Jason Newsted, and onetime GUNS N' ROSES axeman Gilby Clarke.

The new singer will be chosen from 16 hopefuls when the second edition of CBS's "Rock Star" returns summer 2006. In addition, "Rock Star" has signed songwriter-performer Butch Walker to produce SUPERNOVA's first album, to be released just before the new band hits the road in 2007. Walker, named Rolling Stone's 2005 "hot" producer, has written or produced tracks for AVRIL LAVIGNE, PINK, BOWLING FOR SOUP and TOMMY LEE.

"I already know what I'm looking for," said Newsted, who will help pick the final winner from approximately 60,000 contestants trying their luck at auditions around the world. "It's not somebody who fronts the band, it's someone who can hang with me."

Long-running Birmingham-based heavy metal band MARSHALL LAW, who at one time featured Lee Morris of PARADISE LOST, have announced the addition of SEVEN WITCHES guitarist Jack Frost to the group's ranks. "Jack is no newcomer to the metal scene, having played in SAVATAGE, METALIUM, THE BRONX CASKET COMPANY (with DD Verni and Tim Mallare of OVERKILL), SPEEED (with Aaron Randell and Ray Hartmann of ANNIHILATOR), SEVEN WITCHES (with Joey Vera of ARMORED SAINT) and finally, FROST BITE," the band write in a statement. "As of late, he has also been mixing and producing the SEVEN WITCHES albums which he will continue to do. The band welcomes Jack and looks forward to working with him."

MARSHALL LAW have spent the last few years crafting a new album entitled "Axis of Power". 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.

The cover artwork for KORN's upcoming "Live & Rare" collection has been posted online at KornUnleashed.net.

Due May 9 via Epic, the set features 10 cuts drawn from KORN's 2003 show at New York club CBGB, a live cover of PINK FLOYD's "Another Brick in the Wall" taped in St. Louis and two songs from KORN's 1999 performance at the Woodstock Festival. "Live & Rare" is rounded out by covers of METALLICA's "One" and CHEECH & CHONG's "Earache My Eye", plus the B-side "Proud".

"Live & Rare" track listing:

01. Did My Time (live at CBGB)
02. Blind (live at CBGB)
03. Falling Away From Me (live at CBGB)
04. Right Now (live at CBGB)
05. Got the Life (live at CBGB)
06. Here to Stay (live at CBGB)
07. Freak on a Leash (live at CBGB)
08. Another Brick in the Wall (live in St. Louis)
09. One (METALLICA cover)
10. Gift (live at Woodstock '99)
11. ADIDAS (live at Woodstock '99)
12. Earache My Eye (CHEECH & CHONG cover)
13. Proud

Canadian extremists STRAPPING YOUNG LAD have set "The New Black" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in July via Century Media Records. The follow-up to last year's "Alien" is being recorded at the Armoury and Profile studios in the band's hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD have secured a second-stage slot at this year's Ozzfest, which is scheduled to kick off July 1 in san Francisco, California. Other bands appearing the second stage include BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, ATREYU, UNEARTH, BLEEDING THROUGH and NORMA JEAN. Headlining the main stage at Ozzfest 2006 are SYSTEM OF A DOWN and DISTURBED, with OZZY OSBOURNE slated to close 10 shows.

THERION frontman Christoffer Johnsson has quit DEMONOID, the death metal band also featuring THERION members Kristian Niemann (guitars) and Johan Niemann (bass). The following statement regarding the matter has been posted on THERION's official web site:

"As a result of too little time, and as previously announced, also wanting to stop singing, Chris has withdrawn from DEMONOID and the band have already found a replacement vocalist. Chris wishes them all the best and has offered the band his assistance in negotiating the band a new long-term record deal.

"There was always different opinions in what direction the band should go in terms of activity. Chris didn't want to play live, while the other guys didn't mind touring if there was time for it in between the THERION projects. So this means you will not only see a new DEMONOID album (when they have time to record it), you will also most likely be able to see them live on stage some time in the future as well."

Floridian death metallers DEICIDE are currently in the middle of recording their second full-length release for Earache Records. Logging in some crucial time at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, DEICIDE are running well ahead of schedule and from the looks of it will have everything finished in record time. As of Wednesday (March 22), much of the music portion of the recording has been tracked for the 11-plus song album. All of the drum and rhythm guitar tracks have been completed, according to drummer Steve Asheim, and the band were setting their sights on adding the lead guitar tracks of the dual-guitar attack of Jack Owen and Ralph Santolla. "Everyone is excited how it's turning out so far," said Asheim. "We're looking forward to what the leads and Glen's [Benton] vocals will do to add to the record."

"The Stench of Redemption" marks the first recording outing with the new DEICIDE lineup following the departure of the Hoffman brothers. Both Benton and Asheim are confident that Jack and Ralph will outdo guitar tracks from the previous albums. The CD is currently scheduled for a release for the most unholy of days, June 6 (6.6.06).

DEICIDE's first-ever live DVD, "When London Burns", is in stores now and available through the Earache web store.

The Dresden Dolls recorded a new album entitled ''Yes, Virginia'' and this album is in the stores at 17 april 2006. For this new album Roadrunner Records have made an exclusive E-card meant as appetizer for this new album of the Boston duo.

Be prepared for an adventure full of fantasy, passion and let yourself be overwhlemed by the quality of the music of this sympathetic band. Amanda Palmer (piano, vocals) and Brian Viglione (drums) have previously described their sound as "Brechtian punk cabaret." Yes, Virginia will be a rock record without guitars. The album would have been without cover art, too, if it wasn't for a call to fans to make submissions. They came through for the group, so the front of the CD will be comprised of the best of what was received.
Check the E-card here: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/yesvirginiaecard/

TYPE O NEGATIVE will enter the studio in early April to begin recording their long-awaited new album, tentatively due in September via SPV Records. The band, whose first LP, "Slow, Deep and Hard", was issued in 1991, fulfilled their contractual obligations to longtime label Roadrunner with the release of 2003's "Life Is Killing Me". That album debuted on The Billboard 200 chart at No. 39 in June 2003 after registering a first-week sales tally of 27,000 copies. TYPE O NEGATIVE's best-selling album to date is 1994's "Bloody Kisses", which has shifted around a million copies in the U.S.

TYPE O NEGATIVE's first-ever live DVD, "Symphony for the Devil", sold more than 4,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 8 on Billboard's Top Music Video Chart. To help celebrate the success, TYPE O NEGATIVE will be hosting a party this Saturday, March 25 at Duff's Brooklyn.

Sweden's THERION will be issuing a six-disc DVD/CD set, entitled "Celebrators of Becoming", on May 5. The package will include four DVDs and two audio discs. It will be available in two versions, one luxury digipak version in a slip case and one cheaper version, but both will contain all discs. The idea is that both should have a very reasonable price and be affordable for all fans. The complete track listing for the set is as follows:

Disc I: Live in Mexico City:

01. Blood Of Kingu
02. Uthark Runa
03. Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx
04. Asgård
05. Son Of The Sun
06. Invocation Of Naamah
07. Typhon
08. Draconian Trilogy
09. Flesh Of The Gods
10. Schwarzalbenheim
11. Ginnungagap
12. In Remembrance
13. Wild Hunt
14. The Invincible
15. Melez
16. Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
17. The Khlysti Evangelist
18. Siren Of The Woods
19. Quetzalcoatl
20. Wine Of Aluqah
21. Cults Of The Shadow
22. To Mega Therion
23. Iron Fist

Disc II: Tour Report 2004-2005:

Contains a soundcheck, an improvised soprano a' capella and an improvised drum solo, backstage footage, the possibility to follow the band during several activities, a day in Bolivia + over 30 songs recorded in 16 countries in Europe, North America, Suth America and Asia. Among those songs are: the Russian National Anthem, "I Wanna Be Somebody", "Black Funeral", "Black Sun", "Crowning Of Atlantis", "Iron Fist" (with special guests TRISTANIA and TRAIL OF TEARS), "Caffeine" (TRAIL OF TEARS + THERION as special guests on stage) and much more.

Disc III: Various stuff:

Live At Wacken 2001:

01. Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx
02. The Invocation Of Naamah
03. Cults Of The Shadow
04. Birth Of Venus Illegitima
05. In The Desert Of Set
06. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
07. Wine Of Aluqah
08. To Mega Therion

Video Clip Section:

01. Pandemonic Outbreak (1992)
02. A Black Rose (1993)
03. The Beauty In Black (1995)
04. To Mega Therion (1996)
05. In The Desert Of Set (1997)
06. Birth Of Venus Illegitima (1998)
07. Summernight City (2001)

This disc also contains the art film "The Golden Embrace", studio reports from the recordings of "Lemuria" and "Sirius B" + more.

Disc IV: Historical Journey 1989-2001:

01. Paroxysmal Holocaust
02. Asphyxiate With Fear
03. Dark Eternity
04. The Return
05. Pandemonic Outbreak
06. Enter The Dephts Of Eternal Darkness
07. Dawn Of Perishness
08. Baal Reginon
09. Wings Of The Hydra
11. Melez
12. Symphony Of The Dead
13. A Black Rose
14. Dark Princess Naamah
15. Let The New Day Begin
16. Dawn Of Perishness
17. Black
18. Cults Of The Shadow
19. To Mega Therion
20. Under Jolly Roger
21. Black Sun
22. Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
23. Enter Vril-Ya
24. Behind The Scenes
25. Riders Of Theli
26. Theniemannbrothersjam
27. To Mega Therion
28. Wings Of The Hydra
29. Behind The Scenes
30. Seawinds
31. Secret Of The Runes
32. Summernight City
33. The Beauty In Black
34. Behind The Scenes

Discs V + VI: The audio from the Mexico City show

German power metallers HELLOWEEN played a concert Tuesday night (March 21) at Feria Intenacional in San Salvador in front of 5,000 metalheads. According to the band's tour manager, Nikolas Krofta of Bottom Row Promotion, HELLOWEEN's performance "had to be interrupted several times as the fans tore down the barricades in a stream of euphoria. . . It is good to know that no one has been injured and that the band could finally finish its performance in a perfect way. It has truly been an unforgettable night for everyone involved."

HELLOWEEN will be filming their March 25 concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a planned live CD/DVD package. Two other shows were also recorded for the upcoming CD/DVD — January 29 in Sofia, Bulgaria and March 1 in Tokyo, Japan.

As previously reported, HELLOWEEN's former record company will release expanded versions of the band's albums "Chameleon", "Master of the Rings", "The Time of the Oath" and "Better than Raw" at the end of March. Late April will see the re-release of the live recording "High Live" as a double-CD with the "High Live" DVD as a bonus.

HELLOWEEN will be teaming up with KINGDOM COME for a North American tour in October. The band's latest album, "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy", is available now on SPV Records. The lineup on the record includes singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Großkopf and drummer Dani Löble (ex-RAWHEAD REXX).

Sweden's GRAND MAGUS, who feature in their ranks current SPIRITUAL BEGGARS frontman Janne Christoffersson, have parted ways with drummer Fredrik "Trisse" Liefvendahl. "His replacement will be announced when the time is right," the band write in a statement. "Trisse has been in GRAND MAGUS for eight years and will always be a part of the band's legacy. We wish him all the best for the future.

"GRAND MAGUS will now start writing new material. Expect more news very soon."

GRAND MAGUS' third album, "Wolf's Return", is available now on Candlelight Records (via a licensing deal with Rise Above). The band recorded the CD in Stockholm with producer/engineer Oneman.

GRAND MAGUS's sophomore album, "Monument", was issued in the U.S. in 2003 through The Music Cartel.

Danish metallers MERCENARY haqve parted ways with bassist Henrik "Kral" Andersen. "What might come as a big shock to everyone outside the band has however been apparent to the band for some time," the group write on their web site. "That said, we feel it’s important to state very clearly that we part ways as the best of friends and we all wish Kral the very best in his future life and pursuits. Kral will always be a part of the MERCENARY family and we thank him first of all for joining us all up in the band through the years, as well as for the lots and lots of cool, fun and unforgettable times. Kral is expected to give a statement shortly. The split has in no way affected the recording of the new album since the rest of the band have been working on the new material during the last couple of months in Kral's absence. All vocals (including shouts and screams) on the upcoming album will be done by Mikkel who is also responsible for lyrics this time. Furthermore the split will not affect the upcoming touring schedule in any way.

"As a consequence of Kral leaving the band we are searching for a new bass player/shouter/screamer. We have to state that we need a person that is able to do both and are not looking for two new members.

"The person we are looking for must fulfill these demands:

* Must have a deeply dedicated and serious mind.
* Must have 100 % devotion to the band
* Must be able to rehearse intensively in certain periods in MERCENARY's rehearsals near Aalborg, Denmark.
* Be a male between 20 - 35 years.
* Be able to growl, scream, do ‘melodic shouting’ and play the bass
* Be able to learn the old songs quickly
* Be able to restrict his drinking on tour/shows (No drinking before shows)
* Must have a personal image fitting a serious metal band
* be able and willing to tour extensively in periods

"Live and studio experience is an advantage but not a necessity.

"We would like to receive material from interested personas ASAP. Please send demos (CDs only) along with contact info and preferable also a recent picture to:

MERCENARY
C/o Hvorupgårdvej 12
9400 Nørresundby
Denmark
Alternatively, you can send mp3s to: mercenary.audition@gmail.com

"Serious applications only."

MERCENARY's as-yet-untitled fifth full-length album will be recorded in at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (HATESPHERE, INVOCATOR, RAUNCHY). A late summer release via Century Media Records is expected.

MERCENARY's fourth full-length album, "11 Dreams", which was released in the U.S. in February 2005 via Century Media, was produced by Jacob Hansen and includes a cover version of KENT's hit single "Music Non Stop". Artwork duties were handled by Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY).

According to the Austrian black metal webzine BlackMetal.at, Peter Kubik (a.k.a. Virus 666) has put his HELLBOUND and ST. LUCIFER projects to rest and has reformed the acclaimed Austrian black metal outfit ABIGOR.

"There're different reasons for this decision, and some might hate me about it, but I give a shit on them," Kubik is quoted as saying. "I know, I wrote that I am pissed by the black-metal scene as I split ABIGOR back in 2003, and still I am, but maybe this 'not being involved' made me thirsty again. However, I don’t feel the need to justify my point of view anymore. Accept it or not, ABIGOR is back! Currently it's me and Lukas Lindenberger on drums, but T.T., Thurisaz and Silenius are still invited to join the band again, time will tell. Don't expect a rise of the 'old' ABIGOR, it's 2006. ABIGOR is reborn, and it'll be a new area — we're back, still hell!"

Sweden's MORIFADE have announced the addition of guitarist Mathias Kamijo to the group's ranks. The band's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"During the last five months we have received several demos from around the world, among them, USA and Ireland. MORIFADE is the kind of band that when we rehearse for whatever reason we want the whole band to be present and that could be a problem if one of the bandmembers is living very far away. So we decided to concentrate on the guitarists that were from Sweden, and the winning ticket actually fell on a guy from our hometown Linköping. Kamijo [is a] session guitarist in PAIN and ex-session guitarist in HYPOCRISY. We all know Mathias in one way or another so we didn't ask for a demo, we just tried him out at a rehearsal and there was no question about it, he's in!"

MORIFADE's live debut with Kamijo will take place on April 16 at Skylten in Linköping, Sweden. Also appearing on the bill are headliners EVERGREY.

MORIFADE parted ways with guitarist Jesper Johansson last October due to personal differences. The band are currently unsigned following a split with Holland's Karmageddon Media (formerly Hammerheart Records), the label that issued the band's most recent album, "Domi<>nation". A new song, entitled "Fear Breeder", from their 2005 promotional CD, can be downloaded at this location (MP3).

Irish folk metal band CRUACHAN have set "The Morrigan's Call" as the title of their fifth album, tentatively due later in the year via Greece's Black Lotus Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Pagan" was recorded at Sun Studios in Dublin.

"The Morrigan's Call" track listing:

01. Shelob
02. The Brown Bull of Cooley
03. Coffin Ships
04. The Great Hunger
05. The Old Woman in the Woods
06. Ungoliant
07. The Morrigan's Call
08. Teir abhail Ru
09. Wolfe Tone
10. The Very Wild Rover
11. CuChulainn
12. Diarmuid and Grainne

Click here to listen to a sneak preview MP3 (said to be a "low-quality unmastered sample) of the new album.

CRUACHAN's upcoming album will be their first CD for Black Lotus, with whom they inked a deal in June 2005. The band's final release for their previous label, Karmageddon Media, was scheduled to be a reissue of their 1994 "Celtica" demo, featuring unreleased tracks, including "Timmy", which has been performed live at quite a few CRUACHAN shows.

On 7. April the third album of the girl-fronted electronic band Pzychobitch will be released. It is called : "Electrolicious". The band got a massive push in 2004 when they supported In Strict Confidence on their tour in germany. Their new work willl convince even the harshest critic that Pzychobitch are no on-hit-wonders, but they firmly continue following their own path. Power-EBM meets Electro-Punk!  

For fans there is also a limited "Pussy Box" (only 500 pieces) available. Next to the album, there is a second, pink coloured vinyl with further exclusive tracks (remixes by Freizeichen, also a duet with the English Gene Serene) and a thong plus postcards, sticker & pin-up button. Everything very, very sexy!

Tracklist

01 Electrolicious
02 Cold Comfort
03 Strom aus Fantasie
04 Go Pussy Go
05 Whisper
06 Eyes Off!
07 Pussy Gang (vs Electrixx)
08 Lotus-Eater
09 Maschinerie
10 Pzycho-Pop-Groove
11 Atem-Heart
12 Method Of Me

New York death metal legends SUFFOCATION have posted the following message on their official web site:

"SUFFOCATION will be touring the U.S. in November alongside FEAR FACTORY, HYPOCRISY and DECAPITATED. The dates are now being worked on and will be updated on our site as well as our MySpace profile, as soon as they are finalized. On another note we fully intend to have the new album out in time to coincide with the upcoming tour schedule. As for the DVD you fans have been asking for, it is not forgotten, it will follow the release of the album. All focus at this point has to be towards writing the best music we can for the new album which will be entitled 'Suffocation'. After 17 years in existence, we believe its due time. If it is possible to release the album and DVD at the same time, that will be the absolute goal."

SUFFOCATION's latest CD, "Souls to Deny", was released in April 2004 through Relapse Records. The band's first full album of new material since 1995's "Pierced From Within" was recorded at New York's Full Force Studios with engineer Joe Cincotta and is "the cleanest, heaviest SUFFOCATION album to date," according to drummer Mike Smith.

SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery has enlisted former MY RUIN drummer Yael Benzaken to play on his upcoming solo CD, "Pins and Needles", tentatively due before the end of the year. "She is a close friend of Nik [Chinboukas, percussion] and Nick [Douglas, bass] and she kicks serious ass," Caffery writes on his web site. "I am really happy that she can come in and help us out. I am going to find a permanent drummer for the band, but I do not have the time now to audition and teach someone the songs."

Caffery recently parted ways with drummer Jeff Plate, who is currently playing with METAL CHURCH.

Former HELLOWEEN and current MASTERPLAN drummer Uli Kusch has rejoined legendary German progressive thrash outfit MEKONG DELTA as the replacement for Peter Haas (ex-KROKUS, POLTERGEIST), who is reportedly too busy to take part in the new album recording sessions. Kusch is no stranger to MEKONG DELTA, having previously played with the band on their 1988 EP "The Gnome" (when he was known as "Patrick Duval"). Completing the band's current lineup are mainman Ralf Hubert and guitarist Peter Sjöberg (also known as Peter Lake from THEORY IN PRACTICE). A suitable singer for the band has not yet been found.

Zardoz Music last year released a two-CD, 22-song compilation, entitled "The Principle of Doubt", containing selections from various MEKONG DELTA albums.

JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, has inked a deal with AFM Records. September 2006 will see the release of the group's second record, entitled "Maniacal Renderings". Look for a five-song EP release on June 23 which will include three new songs from the upcoming CD and two live SAVATAGE songs from the 2004-2005 "'Tage Mahal Tour".

JON OLIVA'S PAIN's new album, tentatively titled "Maniacal Renderings", was once again recorded at Audio Lab Studios in Tampa, Florida and is described in a press release as "a more progressive, complex and dramatic edge without sacrificing any of the song writing quality that fans have come to expect during Oliva's 25-year career."

JON OLIVA'S PAIN will deliver a small dose of the new CD during their tour and festival gigs in April when both the press and a few lucky fans will have the chance to meet the band and listen to some new songs backstage. Prior to the release in September, JON OLIVA'S PAIN will return for the summer festival run in Europe as well as a co-headlining tour scheduled for November-December 2006.

Commented Oliva on the new deal: "AFM was the obvious choice for us. Complete dedication to their bands, in both support and marketing, is the reason we have made this critical move. The next record for JON OLIVA'S PAIN is taking on a new and more intense direction. We needed a label that not only understood what we are trying to do, but embraced it with genuine excitement. Knowing that your record company is really pumped about the new music helps to drive the recording process to a whole new level of intensity....We're going to push every button possible!"

UK electro band Goteki have made this announcement via their frontman Ross Tregenza: "After six years of wonderful chaos, I've decided to retire Goteki. We've had an amazing time, met awesome people and travelled all around the world. We'd like to thank all of you, for making Goteki the crazy rock n roll adventure that it was. Our final performance will be at Elektrofest 2006 on the 30th of April, so we hope to see some of you troopers there. Why? Because as the Hagakure says, a timely, dignified end is important in all things. Will we be back? I wouldn't be surprised, but not as Goteki. We're addicted to music and I doubt I'll be able to walk away from it. Whatever happens in the future though, this is the end of Goteki. Thank you phuturestars, and goodbye." Rising from the ashes of cyber band Sneaky Bat Machine, Goteki was the musical brainchild of Ross Tregenza (aka Sneaky). Goteki's first full-length release was 2002's "Goteki O/S" that featured guest appearances from Icon of Coil and Apoptygma Berzerk members. "Goteki O/S" was followed by "Goteki O/S : Corrupted Files" featuring remixes from bands such as DeathBoy, Icon of Coil and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. After a time with Wasp Factory Records, Goteki released their second album "Revolution" as an Internet-only release. Goteki also formed Alphastar Records in late 2005 to release "Revolution" as a proper CD.

Christofer Johnsson, founder, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the symphonic Swedish group THERION, has announced today via the band's official web site that he will be retiring from vocal duties. The following is an excerpt from his post:

"As was announced at the Metal Mania festivals, I am going to retire from vocals. The reasons for this are two: One is that I feel it's not fun to sing anymore (even though I have enjoyed playing the old songs on guitar). [My] voice is getting weaker over the years and I experienced problems at the end of the U.S./Canada tour. The problem isn't only getting older, but rather that we basically never rehearse as a band and therefore, I don't keep my throat 'warm.' It simply doesn't work to not sing for half a year and then go on tour for two months and shout every evening. It used to work when I was younger, but now I feel it's not comfortable anymore and when it doesn't feel right, it's definitely time to stop.

"The second reason is that we would like to stop playing old songs, anyway. By old I mean 'Lepaca Klifffoth' and older. We are now working on our 13th studio album and it is getting harder and harder to choose which songs to play live. The number of 'classics' — songs that we more or less must play — is growing all the time and we don't want to end up like one of those bands where you know beforehand 95% for sure what songs that are going to be played. We want to be able to have space to play a couple of unexpected songs each new tour. We, of course, realize that many fans will miss those old brutal songs, but we are convinced that those fans also will prefer to hear something new each time from the Theli album and onwards.

"The ProgPower festival in England will be the final show where I do vocals on stage. This will be our 106th and final show supporting 'Lemuria'/'Sirius B'. We will not be on stage again until 2007. I have planned a special surprise for this festival (not even the other band members know it), so don't miss this festival if you live in the U.K.!"

THERION will be releasing "Celebrators Of Becoming", a four-DVD+ two-CD set (featuring over ten hours of video footage and two hours of live audio) in North America on June 13. Artwork for "Celebrators Of Becoming" is available at this location (check under 2006 releases, then scroll down to June 13).

Groundbreaking Japanese metal act SIGH have signed a worldwide deal with The End Records. The band will release their seventh album, "Hangman's Hymn", sometime later this year.

The Japanese outfit 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".

On 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!"

Click here to preview a pre-production quality medley of material from the forthcoming album.

Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have uploaded the video for their new single, "Storm", to their newly relaunched official web site (free registration required). The clip was shot on February 25 in Nürnberg, Germany and was produced by AVA Studios. "The location was at a huge old building and the video was shot inside the wall in catacomb-like rooms," the band write on their web site. "There was no more than maybe 1 degree Celsius and with the heavy use of windmachines we made excessive use of the gas heater on set. The band was filming many different scenes and wrapped everything up at 00:30 Saturday night, luckily no one got ill from this freezing day."

"Storm", the single, was released as a special digipack in Europe on February 27 and in Germany on February 24 via AFM Records/Soulfood.

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's new album, "Storm", will be released in Germany and Switzerland on Friday, March 24 via AFM Records. The rest of Europe will follow on Monday, March 27. A U.S. release date will be announced later. The CD was produced by Rico Darum and mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FEAR FACTORY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY, etc.) at The Green Jacket studios in Richmond, B.C., Canada. The limited edition will have one bonus track called "Highlights".

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's new album will be the group's first to feature singer Nell (THE CREST), who replaced Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (currently in LEAVES' EYES) in early 2004.

AEROSMITH have been forced to cancel the remaining dates on the fifth leg of their "Rockin' the Joint" sold-out North American tour (which has been ongoing since October 2005) in order for lead singer Steven Tyler to have surgery. Despite AEROSMITH's desire to keep the tour going as long as possible, Tyler's doctors advised him not to continue performing to give his voice time to recover. Tyler will be on total vocal rest and can not perform for an extended period of time. AEROSMITH — Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer — apologize and regret any inconvenience to their fans. The band is now on hiatus but look forward to being back in the saddle with a new album and new tour dates.

AEROSMITH's latest release is the concert set "Rockin' The Joint (Live At The Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas)", which was recorded at a January 2002 show. It's available on both CD and DVD.

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry said that the band hopes to start working on a new album in the spring. It will be their first studio project since 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".

Los Angeles melodic thrash/death metallers CERBERUS have uploaded another track, entitled "The Gates of Mercy", from their latest offering, "The Cage of Existence", onto their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/cerberus. CERBERUS' debut CD, "The Cage of Existence", was released in June 2005 through Hell and Death Records.

CERBERUS are currently in the studio recording a six-song EP, titled "What Have We Become?", due for release on Hell and Death Records in mid-July. Track listing will be revealed soon. This is the group's last record with Hell and Death, and they will be shopping around for other labels. Any interested parties can contact their manager at Jordan@churchofthe8thday.com. Plans for a full U.S. tour with YEAR OF DESOLATION (Prosthetic Records) and 7TH PLAGUE (Metal Blade Records) in August are underway to support the release. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

Swiss hard rockers GOTTHARD will release a live album, entitled "Made in Switzerland", on April 28. The CD will include 17 songs that were recorded during a concert at the Hallenstadion in Zürich in December 2005. As a special bonus, the CD will also contain a DVD featuring the complete concert as well as "making-of" footage and many new photos. The complete track listing is as follows:

CD:

01. All We Are
02. Dream On
03. Hush
04. Mountain Mama
05. Let It Be
06. Top Of The World
07. I Wonder
08. Said And Done
09. One Life One Soul
10. Nothing Left At All
11. Sister Moon
12. Mighty Quinn
13. In The Name
14. Heaven
15. Lift U Up
16. Anytime, Anywhere
17. Immigrant Song

DVD:

01. All We Are
02. Dream On
03. Hush
04. Mountain Mama
05. Let It Be
06. Top Of The World
07. I Wonder
08. Said And Done
09. One Life One Soul
10. Nothing Left At All
11. Sister Moon
12. The Other Side Of Me
13. Firedance
14. Battle Of Titans
15. Homerun
16. Mighty Quinn
17. In The Name
18. Heaven
19. Lift U Up
20. Anytime, Anywhere
21. Immigrant Song

Bonus DVD Features:
* Making Of Hallenstadion Show
* Making Of Video "Anytime, Anywhere" with Jenny
* Photogallery
* Videos:
- Anytime, Anywhere
- Lift U Up
- Dream On