A brand new MYSTIC CIRCLE track, entitled "The Bloody Path of God", has ben posted online at here.

"The Bloody Path of God" is the title track of the German "dark Satanic metal" band's seventh full-length album, due on February 20, via Dockyard 1, the new company formed by Dirk Putzke, Christine Stephan (both ex-Sanctuary/Noise Records) and Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR). The new CD was recorded at State of the Arts studio in Ludwigshafen, Germany with producer Alex Koch and contains 13 songs, including a cover version of CELTIC FROST's "Circle of the Tyrants".

"The Bloody Path of God" track listing:

01. Psalm of the End (intro)
02. The Bloody Path of God
03. Doomsday Prophecy
04. Nine Plagues of Egypt
05. The Grim Reaper (intro)
06. The Grim Reaper
07. Riders of the Apocalypse
08. Hellborn
09. Church of Sacrifice
10. The Forgotten
11. Unholy Terror
12. Memento Mori (outro)
13. Circle of the Tyrants (CELTIC FROST cover; bonus track)

Commented MYSTIC CIRCLE guitarist Ezpharess: "We're taking one step back to our early black metal roots with 'The Bloody Path of God'. We used keyboards again, to provide the haunted atmosphere songs like 'Doomsday Prophecy', 'Riders of the Apocalypse', 'The Forgotten' or 'Unholy Terror' deserve. Also singer Graf Von Beelzebub is screaming again, and doesn't use the death-metal-alike growls of 'Open the Gates of Hell' anymore."

MYSTIC CIRCLE issued a "best of" album, entitled "Mystic Circle Unholy Chronicles 1992–2004", in November 2004 via Massacre Records. The CD, which contains 18 songs spanning the group's entire career, includes a bonus DVD, featuring concert and backstage footage, as well as interviews and a video clip.

Norwegian extreme metallers ENSLAVED are putting the finishing touches on their new album, "Ruun", tentatively due on May 8 via Tabu. "The final mixes are being made at this very moment in Propeller Studio in Oslo," the group write on their web site. "The band produces the album themselves, with Mike Hartung as leader of the pack. Mastering will take place in Sweden immedeatly after the mix is finished. Later in February the band will make not one, but two videos from 'Ruun'."

Commented guitarist Arve Isdal: "We're very happy with the result, and the feedback from the few chosen ones who had a sneak listening has been awesome! The songs needs time to get into, but we hope you will take that time. Keep it up, loonies!"

According to a posting on ENSLAVED's web site, the band are "confirmed for more festivals. The guys especially looks foreward to play on the Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway the 8th or 10th of August. It's a big outdoor festival and one of the bigger events in Norway during the summer. Apart from that, this weekend the band will play two shows in Tromsø, Norway during the By:Larm festival and an exclusive unplugged session live on Norwegian radio. No amps, no drums, just pure acoustic music."

The recordings for the follow-up to the band's Norwegian Grammy- and Alarm award-winning album "Isa" (2004) began in early January at Amper Studio in Oslo, Norway. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Path of Vanir" and "Essence", both of which the band are planning on shooting videos for.

ENSLAVED will be teaming up with KHOLD and VREID for a European tour in the fall. More information will be made available soon.

San Francisco power/thrash metallers IMAGIKA have finalized the track listing for their new CD, entitled "My Bloodied Wings", tentatively due late spring/early summer. The follow-up to last year's "Devils on Both Sides" was recorded at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California and was mixed at Los Angered Recording in Gothenburg, Sweden with Andy LaRocque of KING DIAMOND fame.

"My Bloodied Wings" track listing:

01. The Tongue of Nyx
02. Hunter's Moon
03. Second Coming
04. Throw the Horns
05. Heart of Icarus
06. Weaken
07. The Darkest of All Secrets
08. Inhuman
09. One More Day
10. Forever Darkened
11. My Bloodied Wings

IMAGIKA released "Devils on Both Sides" in the U.S. via Mausoleum Records. The End is handling distribution for the release. The album was issued in most European territories last March.

Swedish melodic black metallers SIEBENBÜRGEN have split up. The group's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"I am hereby sad to inform you all that SIEBENBÜRGEN is no more.

"On the 1st of February 2006 we had a band meeting and came to the conclusion that we have to bury SIEBENBÜRGEN. After 12 years, we sadly don't have the energy and inspiration to take the band any further and it would be wrong to us and to our fans to continue without the passion that SIEBENBÜRGEN deserve.

"During these years, we have struggled and bled to keep SIEBENBÜRGEN alive and well, we have published five albums that we are very proud of we got to see the world and we met a lot of great people in the process, and our fans fucking rule! But now it is over and we will lay SIEBENBÜRGEN to rest. It has been a great experience that we would not trade for anything in the world.

"We would like to thank Ed and Karen of No Cross Management, Sabine at IDB booking, Eva and the staff at Napalm Records and all the bands we have toured with during the years, and last but not least, all of our devoted fans that believed in us and kept us going through all this time.

"Thanks for everything and may the gods of metal be with you!"

SIEBENBÜRGEN's fifth album, "Darker Designs & Images", was released last year via Napalm Records.

Century Media Records’ U.S. office, relentlessly championing barrier-shattering music, celebrates its 15-year Anniversary in 2006. Quickly establishing itself as an incendiary musical force, Century Media brought its vision to North America in 1991 delivering its unique European style metal largely ignored by mainstream and underground labels. Tirelessly supporting a disappearing music scene, the label at once became a bastion for the artists creating extreme music and a haven for fans who found themselves disassociated, and thus Century Media generated a resurgence of the musical style.

To celebrate the anniversary, Century Media documents the past while pioneering the future. Commissioning a unique logo for its official releases and communications the label signifies the anniversary’s importance. In the coming months Century Media plans new studio efforts from label heavyweights such as LACUNA COIL and SHADOWS FALL, and also to reissue early albums from artists who have helped shape their current distinctive image like: NEVERMORE, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, THE GATHERING, ICED EARTH, STUCK MOJO and MOONSPELL.

These reissued CDs will contain reworked artwork, new liner notes with artist comments, and bonus tracks. Passionately expressing songs with images, Century Media artists have been creating videos from the label’s onset and two different DVD sets will be forthcoming chronicling these efforts. First off is "Century Overload", 2-discs exploding with Century Media’s more recent talent delivering musically as well as visually. The discs include over 60 different recently released videos from their current roster including GOD FORBID, NAPALM DEATH, ARCH ENEMY, LACUNA COIL and more. Due to incessant demand Century Media has compiled their three out-of-print VHS collections, highlighting the company’s first dozen years, and combined them into their second DVD set the 2-DVD release entitled The Visual Experience. Finally, Century Media artists themselves have also contributed special recordings for a CD whose nature will be announced at a later date.

The flagship label of The Century Family, Century Media Records was founded in 1988. Its American branch opened three years later. With nine offices around the globe, the label employs more than 150 people worldwide.

http://www.smnnews.com/

Reactivated New Jersey thrashers LETHAL AGGRESSION have uploaded two songs from their upcoming EP on their MySpace.com page. Check them out at this location.

According to the band's official bio, "LETHAL AGGRESSION has been thrashing for 20 years now with various lineup changes. They have played with some of the undergrounds finest bands such as: AGNOSTIC FRONT, CRUMBSUCKERS, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, VERBAL ABUSE, HIRAX, ANTHRAX, OVERKILL and more. Currently they are trying to gain an all-new fanbase with the younger generation while retaining their core fans."

Swedish death metallers NOMINON have uploaded their video for the song "Hordes of Flies", taken from their "Recremation" album, released last year by Konqueror Records. "This video is of course a low-budget thing and done with a lot of affection to all the NOMINON fans and underground freaks in general around the globe," the band write on their on their web site. "Thanks for keeping the spirit of true old school death metal alive and kicking! The video clip also has a very special guest appearance and introduction by our great friend Dave Suzuki (VITAL REMAINS, ex-DEICIDE). Worth mentioning are also that the live moments you can find on this promo was filmed during the European tour 'Vital Brutality' as well as at some shows in Sweden last year. So, you might see yourself somewhere in there...! The video was directed and edited by D.Garptoft/Insane Pictures."

Check out the clip at this location.

"Recremation" was recorded and mixed at Necromorbus Studio in Stockholm with engineer Tore Stjerna.

Apocalyptic Swedish outfit CULT OF LUNA have completed work on their new album, entitled "Somewhere along the Highway". Slated for an April 24 release via Earache Records, the album's initial tracking took place over seven days in a wooden octagon barn surrounded by "Blair Witch"-style scenery close to the band's hometown of Umeå in northern Sweden.

According to sound engineer Magnus Lindberg, the remote location coupled with the spotting of "Wicca witch women dancing in the woods" and the actual acoustics of the barn itself all contributed towards creating the perfect ambiance to lay down the basic tracks which were done primarily live, as a unit — a departure from previous CULT OF LUNA recording protocol. Further recording and mixing happened in Tonteknik studios where both the band's 2004 album "Salvation" and its predecessor "The Beyond" (2003) were recorded. And the result promises to more raw and unpolished then the bands previous releases.

"Somewhere along the Highway" track listing:

01. Marching to the Heartbeats
02. Finland
03. Back to Chapel Town
04. And With Her Came the Birds
05. Thirtyfour
06. Dim
07. Dark City, Dead Man

GAMMA RAY guitarist/keyboardist Henjo Richter, who is recovering after suffering injuries in a fall he took on January 15 on a ferry boat between Stockholm and Helsinki, has issued the following update via the group's official web site:

"I've been asked to say something about my injury 'cause I was still missing at the shows in Russia, where again Kasperi [Heikkinen] from GUARDIANS OF MANKIND [Finnish GAMMA RAY tribute band] helped us out and played the guitar beside Kai. First, I want to thank Kasperi for making all shows happen and not bringing me, the band and of course the fans (not to forget the promoters, ehe) in trouble. Sure, I'm very sad that I had to stay at home, thinking 'Guess now they go on stage rocking,' but it was absolutly impossible, otherwise I would have done it. On the other hand, I'm happy for the fans, getting a very special GAMMA RAY show, and Kasperi, who might had a good experience at all playing with the originals.

"Last week I underwent another examination at my orthopedist in Hamburg because of too strong pain and by the way my left forearm looked like the one from Popeye. The result is a fracture on the left forearm, I've bruised my ribs and pulled my back. But I already can eat solid food again, ehe... ;) The healing process will take a few weeks and I will start with rehabilitation training soon, hoping everything will cure well, not to play only slide-guitar in the future. ;) And besides, picking my nose for bogeys I could use the free time for writing a new song for the next album, very classic GAMMA RAY melodic speed metal...

"Thanx to all of your best wishes and support, and... ...stay away from the towers, eh, frozen steps on ferry boats."

THE HAUNTED bassist Jonas Björler has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"We have now been rehearsing and writing new material for about a month and everything is going really well. This week we made four new song ideas, and we now have a total of eight. Finally, we got ourselves a computer in the rehearsal room, and that makes the whole process so much easier. We can now easily mix, edit and move things around. It saves us a lot of time, and we can for once hear what we're doing.

"We are planning on entering Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen in May. Prior to this, Per [Möller Jensen] will record the drums in Puk Studios in Randers, Denmark, during the first week of May. The vocals will probably be recorded at Studio Fredman. The plan is to have everything mixed and mastered in June.

"We are looking at a possible late October 2006 release. More news to come soon..."

THE HAUNTED's fourth album, "rEVOLVEr", entered the Swedish album chart at position No. 18 upon its release in October 2004. The follow-up to 2003's "One Kill Wonder" was recorded at Gothenburg's famed Studio Fredman (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY) with co-producers Patrik J. Sten and Fredrik Nordström and mixed at Denmark's Antfarm Studio by Tue Madsen. The album was released as jewel-case CD and limited edition digipak (each with a different cover), featuring two special bonus tracks, "Fire Alive" and "Smut King".

METAL CHURCH have issued the following statement:

"Due to health complications from years of struggling with diabetes, Kirk Arrington has stepped down as METAL CHURCH's drummer. He will be missed and we wish him only the best.

"We are pleased to announce that filling Kirk's shoes is the 'one and only' Mr. Jeff Plate (SAVATAGE, CHRIS CAFFERY, TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA). We are very honored to have a musician of Jeff's caliber working with us and we know that he will do a fantastic job in METAL CHURCH."

For more on Jeff, visit his web site at www.jeffplate.com.

METAL CHURCH are currently working on the follow-up to 2004's "The Weight of the World", tentatively due later in the year via SPV Records. The band's current lineup is completed by guitarists Kurdt Vanderhoof and Jay Reynolds (ex-MALICE), vocalist Ronny Munroe (ex-ROTTWEILLER), and bassist Steve Unger. A short European tour is scheduled for June.

Arlington Heights, Illinois-based death metallers ENFORSAKEN have uploaded their cover of the CARCASS classic "Incarnated Solvent Abuse" on their MySpace.com page at this location. "Some of you may have already heard [this recording], some not," the band write in a statement. "We recorded it way back in 2000 with original drummer Pat O'Keefe. No pro tools, no Britney Spears studio magic etc. It's raw, sloppy and shitty...just the way it should be! This track originally appeared on the European version of our 2001 CD, 'Embraced By Misery' (Lifeforce Records), as a hidden track."

ENFORSAKEN's new album, "Sinner's Intuition", is scheduled for release on March 7 via Crash Music Inc.. The follow-up to 2004's "Forever Endeavor" (Olympic/Century Media) was recorded at Studio One in Racine, Wisconsin with engineer/owner Chris Djuricic and assistant Aaron Brigman. The album was mastered at The Bolier Room Studios in Chicago, IL with Collin Jordan.

"Sinner's Intuition" will feature back-up vocals from Swedish multi-instrumentalist/producer Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, PAN THY MONIUM).

Audio samples from SINISTER's forthcoming album, "Afterburner", have been posted online at this location.

The reunited Dutch death metallers' new album, "Afterburner" was recorded at Stage One studio in Germany in December 2005 and is scheduled for release in Germany on April 7 via Nuclear Blast Records.

SINISTER's current lineup consists of Aad Kloosterwaard, drummer and founder of the band, on vocals, Alex Paul on guitar, and Paul Beltman (ex-JUDGEMENT DAY) on drums. A session bass player will be added when the band hits the road again.

The band, who re-signed with Nuclear Blast back in 2002 after a one-album stint with the now-defunct Hammerheart Records, issued their last studio album, "Savage or Grace", in 2003.

Latvian technical death/black masters NEGLECTED FIELDS will be issuing their third CD, entitled "Splenetic", in April through Aghast Recordings.

Described as "the missing link between latter-period DEATH and EMPEROR," the album was recorded in part at Astia studio in Finland, while the entire production and mixing was handled by T.T. Oksala, best known for his work with STRATOVARIUS, TIAMAT and APOCALYPTICA, and mastered at Finnvox studios in Helsinki. A full-length MP3 of a new song, entitled "Teufelswerk", can be downloaded at this location.

Legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes has posted the following message on his official web site:

"Just wanted to let you all know that yesterday all the tracking for the album was completed. We had the final day of string section yesterday. It is a massive piece of work. 15 songs were recorded. I would like you all to know I spent all of last year writing, arranging and preparing these songs. I spent way more time on this album than any other album of my career. I don't think anybody will argue that this is a turning point for me. A few of my real close friends have been to Chad's [Smith, GLENNHUGHES/RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer and producer of Hughes' new CD] to listen and they are saying that this album and the vibe is exactly where I should be headed. I can tell you it is a mature album, and more than ever before I can't wait for you all to hear it. We start mixing mid-March and the album is scheduled to be released May 29th."

As previously reported, Hughes is recording the new album with the aid of Smith and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist John Frusciante. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Oil and Water", "Frail", "Black Light", "Stepping On" and "The Valiant Denial". Also playing on the set will be guitarist J.J. Marsh, who has appeared on Hughes' last several solo releases.

Former WARLOCK frontwoman Doro Pesch has recorded a new version of the WARLOCK classic "Für Immer" (from the "Triumph and Agony" album) for inclusion in a fan project for the German soccer team Borussia Dortmund. According to a posting on Doro's web site, the team's fans want to offer their support by collecting money for a so-called "Borrusseum" and are making a CD sampler available on March 18 featuring the new version of "Für Immer".

"I am very interested in soccer but I don't have a favorite team," stated Doro. "I just love my fans and I'm always willing to support any project that helps fans." Doro will perform the song live at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund on March 18 before Borussia Dortmund's soccer match that is being held that day.

As previously reported, Doro has completed work on her new album, "Warrior Soul", due on March 27 via AFM Records. The CD will be issued in a regular version (featuring 12 songs) and a limited edition, containing two bonus tracks.

German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have revealed the complete track listing for the third single from their "Rosenrot" album. "Mann Gegen Mann" will be released in a limited digipack version and will contain the original version of the title cut, a live video of "Ich Will" recorded on the "Reise, Reise - Tour" 2005 as well as remixes by Vince Clarke (DEPECHE MODE, ERASURE) and Sven Helbig (Dresdner Sinfoniker). An exact release date for the single will be announced soon.

"Mann Gegen Mann" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Mann Gegen Mann (3:51)
02. Mann Gegen Mann - Popular Music Mix by Vince Clarke (4:06)
03. Mann Gegen Mann - Musensohn Remix by Sven Helbig (3:12)
04. Ich Will - Live (Video) at Festival de Nimes (4:02)

A video for "Mann Gegen Mann" by famed Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund (METALLICA, SATYRICON, MADONNA, THE PRODIGY) was recently shot and received its premiere on MTV Germany on Wednesday (Feb. 1). According to a posting on the RAMMSTEIN fan site Herzeleid.com, "In it, the entire band aside from Till [vocals] plays totally naked with only their instruments to cover them up. As Till only has a microphone, he wore a 'latex diaper' (according to Paul in an interview) as well as a long, black wig. The video alternates between shots of the band playing and a teeming mass of naked men. Towards the end, the band crowd surfs over the naked men and Till morphs into the 'demon' that can be seen on the cover."

Finally, the time has come. Immediately after the release of the Out of Line Festival DVD, which included some live clips of Hocico, fans started to vividly demand the release of a complete show of the Mexican Electro berserkers. This is little wonder, as the Hardfloor pioneers enjoy the reputation of being one of the best live bands in the scene. On CD, Hocico´s music simply lacks the visual component of a frenetic Erk Aicrag, drenched in sweat, giving his very last bit of energy, as if his life were depending on it. In March 2006, the first Hocico-DVD, aptly titled „ A través de Mundos que arden“ is finally going to see the light of day … and you can believe us when we tell you that Erk and Racso have been extremely busy to put together a package that will make your eyes gleam. The DVD not only features a complete recording of the group´s show at the M’Era Luna Festival 2005 in superior picture and audio quality but also a rather impressive array of bonus material: different live recordings across the planet, rare behind-the-scenes snippets and documentaries, TV-performances, short films, the group´s live projections, interviews and the rare and wanted animated video clip to “Born to be (Hated).” Now the vivid destructive energy of a Hocico-concert can finally be relived within the confines of one´s own four walls! “A través…” will be released as a single-disc version and as a special limited edition in deluxe packaging including a bonus CD titled “Scars” which features 5 unreleased and new tracks recorded over the years. A feast for fans and those that wish to become captivated by the electronic madness of the Mexican Hardfloor legend … because the phenomenon of Hocico can only be fully grasped when experienced live. (Street Date: 10.03.2006)
Tracklist normal DVD:
01. Without a god
02. Tales from the third world
03. Distorted face
04. Born to be (hated)
05. Poltergeist
6. Spirits of crime
07. Bloodshed
08. Odio bajo el alma
09. Bizarre words
10. Untold blasphemies
11. Forgotten tears
12. A broken glass
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
Widescreen * All regions * Digital stereo
Total Running time: 152 minutes

Bonus CD " SCARS" (exclusive on limited edition)
01. Scars
02. Not like you (apestas! version)
03. Trip to my past (voces del pasado)
04. Fake (old tape track 95’)

PARIS IS BURNING, the band featuring SOULFLY bassist Bobby Burns on guitar/bass, Billy Keeton (ex-SKRAPE) on vocals and new addition Kobie Jackson (PRIMER 55, ALSTON) on guitar, have changed their name to KING STREET. "Having spent the last month in the studio, we wrapped up the first of many sessions on (Wednesday, January 25) with Tim Lau engineering and me and Kobie producing what is soon to become some of the most kick-ass rock and roll songs you've ever heard!!!" Burns writes in a posting on SOULFLY's official web site. Songtitles include "So Low", "Daddy T-Rex", "Time Away", "Hate Me So" and "Can't Get Enough". A MySpace account will be launched shortly featuring some of the band's recently recorded music.

According to an article in the February 3, 2006 edition of the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti, the release date of NIGHTWISH's much-anticipated live DVD, "End of an Era" is in danger of being postponed due to contract complications involving the group's now-former lead singer Tarja Turunen. Riku Pääkkönen, chief executive of Spinefarm Records — NIGHTWISH's Finnish record label — told the paper that Tarja's manager/husband Marcelo Cabuli (photo) is demanding that Spinefarm, the members of NIGHTWISH and the group's management company sign a contract preventing them from saying anything about Tarja or Marcelo, or anything related to them, without prior written permission from Marcelo. This contract would also practically ensure that the group's planned book would not see its previously announced spring 2006 release date.

"We found [Marcelo's] request to be very strange and very quickly realized that this kind of a document cannot be signed. You can't make contracts like this," Riku Pääkkönen is quoted as saying in the Iltalehti article.

According to the proposed agreement, the band, their management and record company would be slapped with a 250,000-euro fine every time the terms of the contract were violated.

In order for Spinefarm to release the "End of an Era" DVD in Finland, all parties are required to provide their signatures of approval — including Turunen. A member of NIGHTWISH since their inception, Tarja was famously fired from the group via an "open letter" given to the singer immediately following the October 21, 2005 concert at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki which was shot for the upcoming DVD.

As a possible worst-case scenario, the Finnish fans of NIGHTWISH may be forced to order their copies of the DVD from outside Scandinavia in order to comply with the group's existing international recording agreements.

"Maybe one could see this as another example how the fans are [being] treated" by NIGHTWISH's former singer and her manager, NIGHTWISH leader Tuomas Holopainen is quoted saying in the Iltalehti article.

Founding BIOHAZARD guitarist Bobby Hambel has re-emerged and is currently in pre-production on his first solo record since leaving the music industry nearly 10 years ago. 2006 will bring a new fresh EP to the fans. You can check out clips of new material in raw form, messages from Bobby himself, and join his mailing list for recording and upcoming touring news at www.myspace.com/bobbyhambel.

Hambel appeared on the first three BIOHAZARD full-length releases: 1990's "Biohazard", 1991's "Urban Discipline" and 1994's "State of the World Address".

The track "Warrior's Quest" from Finnish folk-influenced melodic death metal band ENSIFERUM, now featuring in its ranks NORTHER frontman Petri Lindroos, is available for streaming at this location. The song comes off the group's new EP, "Dragonheads", due on February 15 via Spinefarm Records. The mini-CD was recorded and mixed in November at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki by Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. It will contain one new track, new studio recordings of several old demo songs, and a couple of traditional Finnish folk covers.

Hungarian hardcore/thrash metallers EKTOMORF will enter Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark on July 10 with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, WITCHERY, RAUNCHY, HIMSA) to begin recording their new album, entitled "Outcast".

EKTOMORF have just released a live DVD, entitled "Live and Raw...You Get What You Give", via Nuclear Blast. The package includes live footage of the band performing at the Summer Breeze festival in 2005 and all of their video clips, plus a bonus CD containing a remastered version of the band's "Kalyi Jag" album (originally issued in 2000), done by producer Tue Madsen.

EKTOMORF have been confirmed for this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 3-5 in Wacken, Germany. EKTOMORF will perform on the "True Metal Stage" on August 4.

Finland's FINNTROLL have issued a statement regarding their recent split with frontman Tapio Wilska (SETHIAN, ex-WIZZARD, former session vocalist for NIGHTWISH). The statement reads as follows:

"We have reached a situation in which we find it impossible to continue FINNTROLL with our singer Wilska. This decision was very hard to make, but after long talks and deep conversations we finally came to the conclusion that if we were to continue FINNTROLL, we had to let Wilska go.

"We thank Wilska for the past three years.

"FINNTROLL is now actively searching for a new singer, and will continue working on a new album which should come out by the end of 2006. Although FINNTROLL does not have a permanent singer in its ranks at the moment, we will not let this affect our already scheduled performances."

FINNTROLL recently completed a short North American tour with German thrashers SODOM. The band are scheduled to take part in the No Mercy Festivals 2006 European tour beginning in early April (along with CANNIBAL CORPSE, KATAKLYSM and LEGION OF THE DAMNED).

Lords of Metal e-zine recently conducted an interview with IN FLAMES guitarist Björn Gelotte. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Lords of Metal: IN FLAMES has always been the kind of band with a lot of diversity, with this new release being no exception. There is the balance between intensity and aggression but with an emphasis on melody. How difficult is it to find that balance? Is it something that comes naturally or do you have to look after?

Björn Gelotte: "Well, to us it is extremely important to stay true to ourselves. We are not focusing on what others would like to hear but do what we want to do and what we do best. We want to stay loyal to ourselves. So when you hear a kind of balance it is something that is natural and not something we have been searching for or tried to achieve."

Lords of Metal: If you do not stay loyal to yourself and try to do what everybody else want to do, if you are not being yourself, making music for the fans or the label instead of making it for yourself; well, it shows in the end?

Björn Gelotte: "You know, in the end it is us playing and hearing the song on an (almost) daily basis. Fans can come up to the show, they might even visit a couple of them and they will be playing the songs regularly but the ones we have to write the music for … is ourselves, as we work with our songs each and every day. And if we would do something that feels not great for even just one of us, I am sure this will show either way in the performance or the quality of the music."

Lords of Metal: On the track 'Dead End' there is a female vocalist singing with Anders [Fridén]. Who is she and how did you get in touch with her?

Björn Gelotte: "Her name is Lisa Miskovsky. She is a singer/song writer from Sweden and here everybody knows about her. She has a very beautiful voice and is a very talented singer. The things she normally does do are very far away from what we do and I think nobody expected her to come up on one of our CDs. We heard that she, although she does do a totally different thing in music, likes metal and especially IN FLAMES. So once we got the chance to do something together we fully went for it and I think it worked out great. The vocals of Lisa are a great contrast with the vocals of Anders and it turned out perfectly. The vocals do not sound gothic as well as we definitely did not want that to happen."

Lords of Metal: Anders has been quoted as saying "We would never do the same album over and over again." With that said, how do you feel that the band continues to evolve while still maintaining the IN FLAMES overall sound?

Björn Gelotte: "Hey, we all have grown older now, we have become different people. Sometimes people ask us if we ever can write an album like 'The Jester Race' again, but we do not want and cannot write such an album again. We all have grown into different people and musicians now, so that is impossible and is not something we want to achieve. Now we focus on playing the songs live and that is different from the songs on 'The Jester Race', although they turned out to be great live."