Finland's NIGHTWISH have posted the following message on their official web site:

"The hassle with the media seems to have died. We've been off tour for some months and we've had a nice and long vacation. It's time to get back to business.

"NIGHTWISH is currently and actively looking for a new singer/frontwoman for the band. We need the obvious things: Looks, charisma, courage, and, of course, a big voice. Good grasp of the English language is also very helpful. We don't necessarily need a classically trained vocalist like Tarja Turunen (the former vocalist). We welcome all kinds of styles and voices, natural and trained, from rock and pop to classical, and all that you can find in between. You should however be prepared to sing with a lot of dynamics and versatility. From loud and high to very sensitive stuff.

"You should preferably send us a CD containing 2-3 songs that you consider to be your best work. If you send an album, would you mark out 2-3 most important songs, please? If you record and send NIGHTWISH songs, then the most important thing is your PERSONAL TOUCH. Photographs are needed as well.

"We will look into different applications and all candidates, but doing it this way would save us some time and energy. If you think you have it, just send your stuff to our management, and we'll be happy to take you onboard."

All submissions should be sent to:

KING FOO ENTERTAINMENT LTD OY / EWO
Fredrikinkatu 61 A 7.krs/floor
FIN-00100 Helsinki
Finland

NIGHTWISH will be releasing a live CD/DVD package, entitled "End of an Era", on June 2 via Spinefarm Records in Finland and Nuclear Blast Records in the rest of Europe. "End of an Era" will contain recordings/footage of NIGHTWISH's final concert with singer Tarja Turunen, which took place on October 21 at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki, Finland.

NIGHTWISH fired Turunen via an "open letter," which was given to the singer immediately following the Helsinki show. The group are expected to enter the studio in September 2006 to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Once", tentatively due in mid-2007.

Danish black metal band HORNED ALMIGHTY, featuring members of EXMORTEM and KOLDBORN, will release their new album, "The Devil's Music - Songs of Death and Damnation", on April 7 via Infernus Rex. The follow-up to 2004's "Black Metal Jesus" will feature 10 tracks of "kick-ass blasphemous black 'n' roll," according to a press release.

"The Devil's Music - Songs of Death and Damnation" (view cover artwork at this location) track listing:

1. Intro: Praefatio
   
2. Glorification...
   
3. Arrogance of the Wicked
   
4. Glorious Horror
   
5. Discipline of the Almighty (mp3)
   
6. The Devil's Music (mp3)
   
7. To Despise the Life
   
8. Malicious Mockery
   
9. Repentance
   
10. Cursed with Insight
    

"The Devil's Music - Songs of Death and Damnation" marks the recording debut with the band of new members Aries and Luger.

HORNED ALMIGHTY current lineup:

• S - Preaching
  
• Hellpig – 6-string blasphemy
  
• Aries – 6-string holocaust
  
• Luger – Low-end suffering
  
• Harm - Hellpounding
  

CHILDREN OF BODOM's video for the title track from their latest album, "Are You Dead Yet?", has been posted online at this location. The clip was shot in part at the Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland on February 13. Additional footage for the video was filmed in the U.S.

The "Are You Dead Yet?" video will receive its MTV2 "Headbanger's Ball" premiere on Saturday, March 18 when members of CHILDREN OF BODOM are scheduled to appear as guests on the program.

Swedish film company Revolver, led by the director Patric Ullaeus, filmed CHILDREN OF BODOM's February 5 gig in Stockholm, Sweden for an upcoming DVD release. The "Trashed, Lost & Strungout" promotional video was filmed by Revolver and the company's most recent works include "Take This Life" by IN FLAMES and "Sorgens Kammer del II" by DIMMU BORGIR.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's North American headlining tour with CHIMAIRA and THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD will kick off on March 18 in New Haven, Connecticut. GOD FORBID will replace CHIMAIRA beginning on March 25 in Columbus, Ohio.

CHILDREN OF BODOM will be teaming up with SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON and THINE EYES BLEED for the Unholy Alliance Tour beginning in early June.

After a quite long period of silence covering L'ÂME IMMORTELLE, interesting news are on the way from viennna. Instead of hanging around and relaxing, we have been working hard on new material and the first results can be heard before summer will drive the darkness away.

Dein Herz is the logical consequence of the cooperation between us and Bastei Lübbe, one of the biggest publishing houses in germany, which began when L'ÂME IMMORTELLE provided the title track 5 Jahre for their series of E.A. Poe audio books last year. Now the band dug deeper into E.A. Poe's legacy and inspired by that recorded the track Dein Herz.

Flemish pagan metal band THEUDHO have set "The Völsunga Saga" as the title of their sophomore album, due this spring via Nepherex (home of such acts as KLUDDE, MORRIGU, WANHOOP and IRON CLAD). The follow-up to 2004 critically acclaimed debut album "Treachery" is currently being mixed by Raf (guitar player in ANCIENT RITES, AHRAÝEPH) at Rose Creek Studio and is conceptually based on a late 13th century Icelandic manuscript, the counterpart of the German medieval Nibelungen epic.

"The Völsunga Saga" track listing:

1. Varg Í Veum
   
2. Völsung
   
3. The Blade of Óðinn
   
4. Sinfjötli
   
5. Sigurðr Sigmundarson
   
6. Uttergälden
   
7. Gram
   
8. The Journey to Lyngvi
   
9. Fáfnirs Blut
   
10. Helreið Brynhildar
    
11. Fall of the Niflungs
    
12. Guðrún's Revenge
    

Cover art is being provided by Kris Verwimp, renowned for his outstanding work for ABSU, THYRFING, MARDUK, MÅNEGARM and ANCIENT RITES, and can be previewed here.

Starting out as a one-man band in 2003 and performing as a two-piece the last year, THEUDHO have announced the arrival of two new members: bassist Filip (GORATH, MAHLSTRØM, P:407) and drummer Joachim (WANHOOP).

Since all slots in the lineup are filled, the band are contemplating accepting some of the offers they have received to perform live.

Sweden's THE QUILL have uploaded 30-second audio samples of all the songs that will appear on the band's upcoming fifth album, "In Triumph", on their official web site, www.thequill.se.

"In Triumph"on April 7 via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded at Area 51 studios in Celle, Germany with producer Tommy Newton (VICTORY, UFO, HELLOWEEN). The group's video for the song "Broken Man" has been posted online at this location.

THE QUILL last year announced the addition of bassist Robert Triches to the group's ranks. Triches joined THE QUILL as the replacement for Roger Nilsson (ex-SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, FIREBIRD), who left the band in May 2005 after almost 12 years and four albums.

THE QUILL will embark on a European tour beginning in early April.

METAL CHURCH have uploaded a couple of photos of guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and new drummer Jeff Plate in the studio during the drum-recording sessions for the band's new album, "A Light in the Dark". Check out the pictures at this location.

As previously reported, SPV are scheduled to release "A Light In The Dark", in Germany on May 26 in Europe, on May 29 and in the USA early June. The album will include a new version of the classic "Watch the Children Pray" as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005.

Vanderhoof, who doubles as sound engineer and producer during the recordings, promises an offering featuring all the important trademarks of typical METAL CHURCH tracks. "Before our new drummer Jeff Plate joined the band, I would have claimed that the new album will be a traditional heavy metal album through and through. Now I'm not so sure; we may end up experimenting with the odd unusual idea, but we'll stay within the framework defined by the band's history. 'A Light in the Dark' will represent what the name METAL CHURCH has been standing for for the last twenty years."

The current band line-up consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate (drums). "I've known Jeff since my solo tour with SAVATAGE," Vanderhoof recalls. "And during the 2005 METAL CHURCH tour, when he drummed with opening act Chris Caffery's band, we also got on really well. So it suggested itself to ask him whether he wanted to join METAL CHURCH." The band have been at the studio since January, and METAL CHURCH will tour Europe a week after the release, presenting their new material.

Norwegian black metallers KEEP OF KALESSIN, featuring Obsidian C. (a.k.a. Arnt Grønbech, also a touring guitarist for SATYRICON) on guitars/bass/synth, will have their new album, "Armada", released on vinyl via Plastic Head's own Back on Black label. Check out an ad from Back on Black at this location.

"Armada" is scheduled for release in Norway on April 3 (April 24 in the rest of Europe, and May 16 in the U.S.) via Tabu Recordings (a division of Tuba Records). The new CD is the group's first with vocalist Thebon, who made his live debut with the band during their live shows in 2005, including the Eastern European tour with EXODUS and HYPOCRISY in December. b>Vyl is playing drums on the album and a new bass player, Wizziac, is being introduced. MAYHEM singer Attila Chisar is doing some additional vocals, but he will not be the frontman anymore.

"Armada" track listing:

1. Surface
   
2. Crown of the Kings
   
3. The Black Uncharted
   
4. Vengeance Rising
   
5. Many are We
   
6. Winged Watcher
   
7. Into the Fire
   
8. Deluge
   
9. The Wealth of Darkness
   
10. Armada
    

Download an MP3 of the song "The Black Uncharted" at this location.

Launch Radio Networks reports: VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan told Launch on Friday (March 10) that the band will enter the studio on April 10 to begin recording its sophomore album. The group has been preparing songs since coming off the road last year and McKagan says the material is nearly ready to go. "It's real close, you know," he said. "The thing is, we always have way too much material, so it's probably more a matter of just like picking the right ones. It's a quality problem. This second record will be just an exploration, as opposed to like, 'Let's crush it and put it out,' it's gonna be exploration and I think people will really dig it."

VELVET REVOLVER's new effort will follow up its 2004 debut, "Contraband", which has sold nearly two million copies.

The band was formed in 2003 when former GUNS N' ROSES members McKagan, guitarist Slash and drummer Matt Sorum joined forces with guitarist Dave Kushner and ex-STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland.

McKagan was in Atlantic City, New Jersey last weekend to play second guitar with the reactivated ALICE IN CHAINS on a taping of the VH1 Classic series "Decades Rock Live!"

McKagan and Slash were countersued last week by GUNS frontman W. Axl Rose after they filed a lawsuit against him over licensing and royalties issues.

Swedish band SHOT INJECTION, whose current recording lineup includes former HAMMERFALL bassist and founding member Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson, have set "Fear Comes Full Circle" as the title of their upcoming demo/CD. The recordings will be completed at Division One Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden and will be mixed and engineered by Arnold Lindberg (EVERGREY, DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES) and co-produced by Tom S Englund (EVERGREY). Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Picturing Our Downfall" and "Bleed the Lies".

Fredrik is currently a member of DEATH DESTRUCTION alongside Jonas Ekdahl and Henrik Danhage of EVERGREY and Jimmie Stranell of NIGHTRAGE.

REBELLION, the German band that features in its ranks former GRAVE DIGGER members Uwe Lulis (guitar) and Tomi Göttlich (bass), have posted the following update on their official web site:

"We're in the middle of the songwriting progress, and in April, we'll start to record the new album. The release will be in January 2007 worldwide. Issue of the second part of the Viking saga will be about how the Vikings spread over the whole east. Tomi had some lyrics done, and it's really amazing. The music is kickin' ass, too. You guys will have fun."

REBELLION's latest album, "Sagas of Iceland", was released in May 2005 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Born a Rebel" is the first part of a Viking trilogy based upon Ragnar Lodenhose ("Sons Of The Dragonslayer"), the Norwegian king Harald Harfager (who created the first united Norwegian kingdom), Eric the Red, and both Danish kings Sven Gabelbart ("Ruling The Waves") and Knut the Great. "Part 2" will deal with the Swedish and Russian Vikings and their glorious deeds. "Part 3" will be cover the "Edda" story collection where the listener will get more information about the mythology and the gods of the Vikings.

Israeli death/doom metallers DISTORTED have signed a deal with France's Bad Reputation Records. The group's full-length debut, "Memorial", which was issued in Israel on March 13 via NMC Records, will be made available in Europe in May. The CD was recorded in February 2005 at Underground Studio in Sweden under the watchful eye of Pelle Seather.

"Memorial" track listing:

1. In Your Light
   
2. Memorial
   
3. Children Of Fall
   
4. Flesh & Blood
   
5. Redemption
   
6. Sometimes
   
7. Is It The Wind
   
8. Illusive
   
9. Hesped
   

Download an MP3 of the song "Redemption" at this location. A CD-release party will be hald on March 13 at the Barby club in Tel-Aviv.

For more infomrmation, visit www.distortedband.com.

KHOMA (formerly KOMA), the Swedish band featuring members of CULT OF LUNA, THE PERISHERS, and the DEPORTEES, have posted their video for the song "Medea" at this location. The clip was filmed last month in Skelleftea, Sweden by Popcore Films (web site), who have previously worked with NORMA JEAN and CULT OF LUNA, among others.

KHOMA will release their sophomore album, "The Second Wave" (view cover here), on April 3 via Roadrunner Records. The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

1. The Guillotine
   
2. Stop Making Speeches (mp3)
   
3. If All Else Fails
   
4. Medea
   
5. Hyenas
   
6. Through Walls
   
7. Like Coming Home
   
8. Asleep
   
9. Last Call
   
10. 1909.08.04
    
11. One of Us Must Hang
    

Hailing from Umeå, a hotbed of Swedish talent (CULT OF LUNA, REFUSED, MESHUGGAH, (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, etc.), KHOMA was born in 2002. Conceived from a fusion of the long established local hardcore scene and a more diverse, emotive pop scene, KHOMA features the core of vocalist Jan Jämte, guitarist Johannes Persson, and Fredrik Kihlberg on guitar/piano.

KHOMA's debut album, "Tsunami", was issued under the band's previous moniker, in 2004.

Swedish metallers STEEL ATTACK have uploaded several audio samples from their fifth full-length album, "Diabolic Symphony", on their official web site, including a full-length version of the track "Embraced by Fear". Check them out at www.steelattack.com.

As previously reported, STEEL ATTACK recently finished filming a video for the song "Diabolic Symphony" with director Owe Lingvall (NOCTURNAL RITES drummer). The clip will be included as a multimedia bonus feature on "Diabolic Symphony", due on April 21 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Enslaved" was recorded at Black Lounge Studio in Sweden with engineer Jonas Kjellgren and features "hard riffs combined with rich melodies and brilliant metal," according to guitarist Johan Jalonen Penn.

"Diabolic Symphony" track listing:

1. Diabolic Symphony
   
2. Dead Forever
   
3. Shallow Seas Of Hatred
   
4. Dreaming
   
5. Embraced By Fear
   
6. Invisible God
   
7. Sanctimonious
   
8. Haunting
   
9. Show Me The Way
   
10. Winter Hell
    
11. I Bow My Head In Shame
    
12. The Other Side
    

STEEL ATTACK's fourth album, "Enslaved" was issued in October 2004 via Arise Records. The album was supported by a 12-day European tour with Germany BLACK ABYSS and Canada's EXCITER.

STEEL ATTACK is:

• Anden Andersson - Bass
  
• John Allan - Guitar
  
• Ronny Hemlin – Vocals
  
• Johan Jalonen Penn - Guitar
  
• Tony Elfving – Drums
  

German blackmetal spiritualists Dark Fortress will support their acclaimed album “Séance” live on tour with Lord Belial, Born Of Sin and Azamoth. “We are really happy to go on tour for the first time in our career and finally be able to present our new album “Séance” live. Be prepared for intense liveshows that should call on the dead and have them speak to you!” (Azathoth, vocals)
“Séance” is a diversified, frighteningly extreme and highly creative effort that cannot be ignored. Dark Fortress’ fourth release and debut on Century Media Records is abyss and addiction, a pitch black musical journey once begun you will not dare to stray from this dark path again…

“… subtle rage and decadence…” (Metal Hammer, D)
„Unique art“ (Rock Hard, D)
“Unique. … a truly fantastic album, frightening like an evil apparition.” (No 4 soundcheck, Legacy, D)
“… an even stronger shade of black…” (Zillo, D)
”... thousands of fine, black details…” (Heavy!, D)
"... It's still early in the year, but I don't think it's exaggerated to state that this is one of the highlights of 2006 in the genre. .." (Gothtronic.com, NL)

Finland's WALTARI have uploaded the song "Not Enough" from their "Blood Sample" album at www.myspace.com/waltarimusic. The track was released as a single in Finland, where it rose to position No. 3 on the national chart.

Released in Finland last September, "Blood Sample" will be made available in the rest of Europe on April 24 via Dockyard 1, the new company formed by Dirk Putzke, Christine Stephan (both ex-Sanctuary/Noise Records) and Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR). The band's current lineup is as follows:

• Kärtsy Hatakka - Vocals/Bass
  
• Jariot Lehtinen - Guitar
  
• Sami Yli-Sirniö (KREATOR) - Guitar
  
• Ville Vehviläinen - Drums
  

ZYKLON, the Norwegian band featuring EMPEROR members Samoth (guitar) and Trym (drums). Have uploaded the title track of their much-anticipated third album, entitled "Disintegrate", at www.myspace.com/zyklontribe. The CD was recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio in Norway and was mixed at b>Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. A May 15 release via Candlelight Records is expected.

ZYKLON have scheduled the following CD-release parties in Oslo and London:

• May 12 - The Underworld – London, UK
  
• May 25 – Garage - Oslo, NOR
  

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, Samoth had the following to say about the upcoming CD: "It might not be all that different [to the previous albums], but we have overall better songs, and it's definitely going to be a solid follow-up to 'Aeon'. There are a few songs that are more on the atmospheric side, and these will have strong industrial elements to them. In general, there will be the good old mix between fast, intense brutality and more groovy and heavy stuff. A few songs might have a few more melodic parts as well, actually."

So far, the following ten track titles are confirmed to appear on the CD: "Wrenched", "Cold Grave", "Disintegrate", "In Hindsight", "Skinned and Endangered", "Vulture", "Subversive Faith", "Underdog", "Ways of the World", and "Vile Ritual".

"Hard to pick a favorite at this point, I think," Samoth told Decibel. "Everything sounds kind of refreshing now. But what I enjoyed the most playing in the studio is probably the mid-paced, heavy and 'chuggy' material. There are also a couple of tracks that are blasting fast. Some of the material is actually very fresh; one song was even just completed on the last rehearsal before the studio session, and we've only actually played the song four times or so as a full band. We started to write and rehearse material back in 2004, but it wasn't really until this autumn that we put the final pieces together. We've taken our time with this one, but I'm confident it will be worth the wait!"

As previously reported, ZYKLON's first DVD, titled "Storm Detonation Live", is being released today, March 13 via Candlelight. Recorded at Germany's 2004 Party.San Open Air festival, the DVD contains the band's live show plus exclusive on-the-road/backstage footage, an exclusive look into reheasals for the band's new album and both the "Psyklon Aeon" and "Core Solution" videos.

EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn has uploaded audio samples of four songs that will appear on his forthcoming solo album, "The Adversary". Check out the tracks "Called by the Fire", "Citizen", "Astera ton Proinon" and "Panem et Circenses" in the "Media" section of Ihsahn's official web site, www.ihsahn.com.

"The Adversary" was written and recorded over a one-year period at Symphonique Studios in Norway and features a guest appearance by Garm from ULVER on one song.

"Generally, my thoughts for this album were that, 'OK, if I'm doing a solo album, then I might as well do a metal album that kind of includes all the periods I've been through playing metal,'" Ihsahn told BLABBERMOUTH.NET last month. "When I first started playing guitar at the age of 11, I started out playing basic heavy metal stuff. The bands I've played in have been from straight heavy metal up through thrash and speed metal, death metal, and then black metal. I thought the album should include embraces from all those areas.

"Most albums I do I take a study period as well to learn new things and kind of sharpen the working methods and combining theory with the energy of creative thought are driving forces," he continued. "I wanted to have a very varied album with different influences, but I didn't want to take everything into all of the songs. If it's a black metal song it's kind of a black metal song all the way through. When I do a progressive song it's kind of progressive all the way through. I'm trying to pull out the most of one thing, rather than just mixing it all together in all the songs; it's varied in that sense. Hopefully, there should be a consistency throughout the album."

All music and lyrics for "The Adversary" were written and performed by Ihsahn with exception of drums, which were played by Asgeir Mickelson (BORKNAGAR, SPIRAL ARCHITECT). "Asgeir is a very talented guy and he could play live a better version of what I programmed," Ihsahn said. "He was the perfect guy for the job because he didn't change things. In some parts I may have had drum patterns that I felt essential to the song, which was very playable, but not necessarily the way a drummer would think. He could interpret what I programmed and just do exactly what I needed. He's been valuable for this project. He's a great guy to work with as well."

Tracking for "The Adversary" is as follows:

1. Invocation
   
2. Called by the Fire
   
3. Citizen
   
4. Homecoming
   
5. Astera ton Proinon
   
6. Panem et Circenses
   
7. And He Shall Walk in Empty Places
   
8. Will You Will Love Me Now?
   
9. The Pain is Still Mine
   

"The Adversary" will be released cooperatively by Mnemosyne Productions and Candlelight Records on April 10 in Europe and April 18 in North America. Owned/operated by partners Ihsahn and Ihriel since 2003, Mnemosyne Productions was established as an outlet for duo's musical collaborations as well a place for new talent and innovative artists.

Nebraska-based melodic metallers CELLADOR have returned to Tampa, Florida for two weeks to put the finishing touches on their album, "Enter Deception", which should be out in July via Metal Blade Records. The album is being recorded at Mana Studios with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL). The first half of the recordings took place in January. Now Chris Petersen and Bill Hudson (both guitars) and Michael Gremio (vocals) will be recording the remaining half of guitar solos as well as all the vocals.

Originally formed in summer 2004 by guitarist Petersen, CELLADOR was founded with the purpose of introducing aggressive European-style melodic speed/power metal to the Midwest USA, where the style is completely nonexistent and virtually unknown. CELLADOR spent the fall and winter months of 2004 writing and rehearsing, and began playing live by March 2005. In May, CELLADOR came out with the demo, "Leaving All Behind", which THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER guys passed on to Metal Blade owner Brain Slagel, after the band opened for them in Omaha. Impressed by their skill and musicianship, Brian Slagel offered the band a contract making them one of Metal Blade Records' latest signings.

Swedish technical death metal outfit SPAWN OF POSSESSION have finalized the track listing for their sophomore album, "Noctambulant", due this spring via Neurotic Records. The CD was recorded at Pama Studios in Kristianopel, Sweden with producer Magnus Sedenberg and contains 10 tracks, one being an instrumental intro, as well as several guest contributions, to be revealed later on.

"Noctambulant" track listing:

1. Inception
   
2. Lash by Lash
   
3. Solemn they Await
   
4. Render my Prey
   
5. Eve of Contempt
   
6. Sour Flow
   
7. By a Thousand Deaths Fulfilled
   
8. Dead & Grotesque
   
9. In My Own Greed
   
10. Scorched
    

The album cover, created by Pär Olofsson (PSYCROPTIC), has been posted online at this location.

SPAWN OF POSSESSION's debut album, "Cabinet", was released in 2003.

HUMAN ARTIFACTS, the new band featuring Matt Bishop (guitar, vocals; ex-LIVIDITY) and Robert Brody (drums; ex-ALCHYMIST), have signed a one-album deal with Comatose Music to release their debut CD, tentatively titled "The Principals of Sickness". The album will be recorded late April/early May at Mercenary Digital for a July 21, 2006 release (to coincide with the band's appearance at the Central Illinois Metalfest 2006).

HUMAN ARTIFACTS will make their live debut June 17 at the Phoenix in Champaign, Illinois with LOW TWELVE.

HUMAN ARTIFACTS is:

• Matt Bishop (ex-LIVIDITY) - Vocals/Guitars
  
• Robert Brodies - Drums
  
• Aaron Harper (ex-LIVIDITY) - Guitars
  
• Jake Lahniers (DEADEN) - Bass/Vocals
  

DOWNLORD, the Denmark-based death metal act featuring former members of BOLT THROWER/BENEDICTION, INIQUITY and SACRIFICIAL, have posted their entire three-song demo on their official web site, www.downlord.dk. The tracks available for download are as follows:

1. Hate Brace
   
2. Loathe. Scorn. Detest
   
3. Groin of God +++Amen & Out+++
   

Commented frontman Dave Ingram: "We've been working our asses off to get the mix exactly as we want, and are damn proud to have done it all ourselves! Now we celebrate its end, so pass me the damn whisky!!!"

DOWNLORD's new demo features the contributions of acclaimed Danish drummer Reno Kiilerich, who has previously played with DIMMU BORGIR, VILE, PANZERCHRIST and DEW-SCENTED, among other groups. The band are currently shopping around for a record deal.

Finland's NIGHTWISH have announced the final tracklisting for their forthcoming much-anticipated live CD/DVD package, entitled "End of an Era". Due out June 2, "End of an Era" will contain footage of NIGHTWISH's final concert with singer Tarja Turunen, which took place on October 21 at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki, Finland.

NIGHTWISH fired Turunen via an "open letter," which was given to the singer immediately following the Helsinki show. The group are currently seeking a replacement vocalist before entering the studio in September 2006 to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Once", tentatively due in mid-2007.

"End of an Era" track listing:

1. Dark Chest Of Wonders
   
2. Planet Hell
   
3. Ever Dream
   
4. Kinslayer
   
5. Phantom Of The Opera
   
6. The Siren
   
7. Sleeping Sun
   
8. High Hopes
   
9. Bless The Child
   
10. vWishmaster
    
11. Slaying The Dreamer
    
12. Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan
    
13. Nemo
    
14. Ghost Love Score
    
15. Stone People
    
16. Creek Mary's Blood
    
17. Over The Hills and Far Away
    
18. Wish I Had an Angel
    

Reactivated Finnish melodic extreme metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW have uploaded the cover artwork for their fifth album, "Before the Bleeding Sun", due in Finland on April 26 via Spinefarm Records. Check it out at this location.

"Before the Bleeding Sun" was recorded at Tico-Tico Studios in Kemi and at Note-On Studios in Kuopio and marks the group's first release to feature lead guitarist Risto Ruuth (also in SCYRON) and keyboardist Janne Tolsa (also in TAROT).

Commented the band: "The album is damn heavy but still more diverse and more melodic than any of our previous albums. The whole process has rarely been so easy and rewarding for us before, all the pieces really clicked together this time."

"Before the Bleeding Sun" track listing:

1. Sweet Lilith of My Dreams
   
2. Another Me
   
3. Red Dawn Rising
   
4. Upon the Moors
   
5. Sakura No Rei
   
6. Sinister Rain
   
7. Lost Rune of Thunder
   
8. Tar Still Flows
   
9. Angelheart, Ravenheart (Act I: Before the Bleeding Sun)
   

Guest vocalists: Lead vocals by Jarmo Kylmänen (SCYRON) and Miriam "Sfinx" Renvåg (RAM-ZET). Backing vocals by Jarmo Kylmänen, Miriam Renvåg, Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA) and Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT).

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW 2006:

• Altti Veteläinen (vocals, bass)
  
• Jarmo Puolakanaho (guitar)
  
• Risto Ruuth (lead guitar)
  
• Janne Tolsa (keyboards)
  
• Petri Sankala (drums)
  

Portuguese avantgard maniacs THANATOSCHIZO have signed a deal with the Mexican label Divenia Records for the release of their first album, "Schizo Level", on the American continent. The CD, which garnered attention due to its combination of "schizoid black metal, saxs, trumpets and ethereal doom passages," will be issued through Divenia in May. The group are now rehearsing and writing material for their fourth album, with plans to enter the studio in November. A summer 2007 release is expected.

For more information, visit www.thanatoschizo.com.

Swedish metallers SATARIEL are putting the finishing touches on their new mini-CD, tentatively titled "Chifra", for a spring release in Europe and Asia via Pulverised Records. A U.S. release for the effort has yet to be announced. Once again, the group used producer Daniel Bergstrand and Dug-Out Studios (IN FLAMES, MESSHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) in Uppsala, Sweden for parts of the production. Lyrically, the CD is said to be "a sort of ending of the concept which was the basis" for SATARIEL's third album, "Hydra", according to a statement from the band.

SATARIEL are still signed to Cold/Regain Records for their next full-length album, which will most likely be recorded sometime in late summer/early autumn.

"Hydra" recently received its long-awaited U.S. release via Candlelight Records. A full-length MP3 of the track "Vengeance Is Hers", taken from "Hydra", can be downloaded at this location.

SATARIEL released their sophomore CD, "Phobos & Deimos", in 2002 through the now-defunct Dutch label Hammerheart Records.

Metal Axe Records will release a limited 180-gr vinyl edition of the latest MYSTIC PROPHECY album, "Savage Souls", on March 20. The album will be limited to 666 copies and will include a folding cover. The LP can be ordered from the Metal Axe homepage. The first 50 orders will receive a signed copy by the whole band. The price will be 16.99 euros plus shipping and handling.

MYSTIC PROPHECY is the melodic power metal band featuring VALLEY'S EVE vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, ex-STORMWITCH bassist Martin Albrecht and SACRED STEEL drummer Mathias Straub. "Savage Souls" was mixed and mastered at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and features guest appearances by Chitral "Chity" Somapala (AVALON, FIREWIND) on backing vocals and Marios Iliopoulos (NIGHTRAGE) on lead guitar.