MYSTIC PROPHECY, the melodic power metal band consisting of VALLEY'S EVE vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, ex-STORMWITCH bassist Martin Albrecht, FIREWIND/ex-DREAM EVIL guitarist Gus G., and SACRED STEEL drummer Mathias Straub, have finished recording their new album, "Savage Souls", for an early 2006 release via Massacre Records.

The CD, which is being mixed and mastered at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden, will feature guest appearances by Chitral "Chity" Somapala (AVALON, FIREWIND) on backing vocals and Marios iliopoulos (NIGHTRAGE) on lead guitar. Check out a few studio photos at this location.

MYSTIC PROPHECY will film their December 17, 2005 concert at the Matrix in Bochum, Germany for an upcoming DVD, to be available as a bonus disc with "Savage Souls". The band's third album, "Never-Ending", was released in October 2004 via Nuclear Blast Records.

CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster has released the complete track listing for the group's upcoming album, "Kill", tentatively due on March 21, 2006 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL).

Commented Webster, "We have only four more days of mixing, and then the album will be finished. At this point, it looks like the album will be released on March 21st, 2006. After that, we will begin touring, starting with the No Mercy festivals in Europe, followed by a headlining tour throughout Europe. We will hopefully be touring the States in the early summer months, but nothing is booked at this point."

"Kill" track listing:

01. The Time To Kill Is Now
02. Make Them Suffer
03. Murder Worship
04. Submerged In Boiling Flesh
05. Five Nails Through The Neck
06. Purification By Fire
07. Death Walking Terror
08. Barbaric Bludgeonings
09. The Discipline Of Revenge
10. Brain Removal Device
11. Necrosadistic Warning
12. Maniacal
13. Infinite Misery

Said Webster: "This may not be the exact order of the songs for the album, but it should be pretty close."

CANNIBAL CORPSE recently announced the addition of guitarist Rob Barrett as a permanent replacement for guitarist Jack Owen, who left the band in 2004. Barrett, who played with the group from 1993 to 1997 and appeared on "The Bleeding" and "Vile" albums, has contributed a song to "Kill".

CORNERSTONE, the Danish/British melodic metal band featuring YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ex-RAINBOW frontman Doogie White and ex-ROYAL HUNT bassist Steen Mogensen, are putting the finishing touches on their fourth studio album, "Two Tales and One Tomorrow", for an early 2006 release through an as-yet-undetermined label. The follow-up to 2003's "Once Upon Our Yesterdays" (Massacre) contains 10 new "classic" CORNERSTONE tracks, according to a posting on the group's web site. "We are all very pleased with the direction and vibe the songs are taken this time. Heavy, moody and rocky." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Requiem", "Wicked" and "Two Tales and One Tomorrow".

CORNERSTONE's live album, "Cornerstone In Concert", was released in July in Japan via Yamaha Communications and in Europe through Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at several shows on the group's debut tour of Europe in January/Febuary 2005. Included in the package is a video clip of live and backstage footage from the band's private archives.

Earache Records has set a January 23, 2006 release date for DEICIDE's "When London Burns" DVD. Featuring an incendiary live set filmed on November 29, 2004 before a rabid, sold-out crowd of maniacs at The Mean Fiddler in London, Glen Benton and Co. rip the place apart with a smoking set, featuring crowd favorites. From the opening chords of "Scars of the Crucifixion", anthems like "Kill the Christian" to the apocalyptical end with "Oblivious to Evil", "When London Burns" captures DEICIDE at their diabolic best. There's also a bonus 30-minute documentary "Behind the Scars", featuring behind-the-scenes footage of DEICIDE recording "Scars of the Crucifix", candid interviews at home and backstage with the band, exclusive footage from the rehearsal room and the formation of DEICIDE and explanation of Glen's forehead branding.

"When London Burns" DVD track listing:

01. Scars of the Crucifix
02. They Are the Children of the Underworld
03. Bastard Of Christ
04. When Satan Rules His World
05. Once Upon the Cross
06. Kill the Christian
07. Serpents of the Light
08. Dead but Dreaming
09. Lunatic of God's Creation
10. Sacrificial Suicide
11. When Heaven Burns
12. Dead by Dawn
13. Behind the Light Thou Shall Rise
14. Deicide
15. Crucifixation
16. Christ Denied
17. Oblivious to Evil

Long-running Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER have set "The God That Never Was" as the title of their seventh album, due in Europe in late January via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Where Ironcrosses Grow" was once again produced by drummer Fred Estby at Sami Studio in Stockholm. The group's current lineup is completed by Matti Kärki (vocals), David Blomqvist (guitar), Martin Persson (guitar) and newcomer Tobias Christiansson on bass.

With regards to the upcoming CD, Estby said, "Musically we're trying to do better with every album. Most of us are in our 30s and we have got to prove ourselves a little bit more every time. We fought hard with this album.

"Me and David, who have done most of the music throughout the years, are terribly conservative. We realized a long time ago what kind of riffs that will work and which ones that will have to go. No, you won't hear cheesy guitar licks on a DISMEMBER album, but at the same time the band have to keep on moving in order to keep things interesting."

On the album's lyrical approach, Fred said, "It became very hostile towards religion. I have always written lyrics like that, while Matti has been more into war and serial killers. This time we decided that we had had enough of the crap going on in the world today and decided to write about everything that pisses us off."

"The God That Never Was" track listing (in no particular order):

01. The God That Never Was
02. Shadows of the Mutilated
03. Time Has Nothing
04. Autopsy
05. Never Forget, Never Forgive
06. Trail of the Dead
07. Phantoms (Of the Oath)
08. Into the Temple of Humiliation
09. Blood for Paradise
10. Feel the Darkness
11. Where No Ghost Is Holy

German progressive metallers VANDEN PLAS will release their new album, "Christ.0", on February 24, 2006. It is a concept album inspired by Alexandre Dumas' novel "The Count of Monte Cristo". The recordings are currently taking place at the Bazement studios near Wiesbaden, Germany. The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Christ 0
02. Postcard to God
03. Wish you Were Here
04. Silently
05. Shadow I Am
06. Fireroses Dance
07. Somewhere Alone in the Dark
08. January Sun
09. Lost in Silence

Bonus track on initial pressing: "Gethsemane" (lyrics: Tim Rice/music: Andrew Lloyd Webber).

VANDEN PLAS' most recent album, "Beyond Daylight", was released in 2002 via InsideOut Music.

Out on the Japanese Label Supernatual Organisation Discs on December 5th is the limited edition release of Death In June's "The Phoenix has Risen". This limited run of 1000 copies is a very obscure one and was first suspected to be a bootleg, but it is not. Named after the scratched message on Death in June’s very first vinyl release "Heaven Street" (1981), this CD comes from the same label that released Current 93’s LP "Earth Covers Earth" back in 1988.

Although brand new this new Death In June release bears the year 1999 on the back sleeve. Conceived and put together by Douglas P. himself the CD contains most probably the earliest Death in June recording ever released such as an 8-tracks ‘Rehearsal Tape’ from 1981, with alternative demo-versions of tracks, of which most were later published on the 12” "Heaven Street" and the album "The Guilty have no pride" (1983). Death in June at this early stage were Douglas P., Tony Wakeford and Patrick Leagas. Also included are 8 additional tracks, recorded live at "The Living Room" in London on September 9 1983. The booklet furthermore contains some amazing photos (among others ‘live at The Fridge’) from the very early days of Death in June.

Tracklist:
[U.K. Rehearsal Tape 1981]
01 We drive East
02 Knives
03 Nation
04 In the Night
Time
05 Himmel Strasse (German for ‘Heaven Street’)
06 Nothing Changes
07 Untitled
08 All alone in her nirvana
[intermission] [Live at the Living Room]
09 Intro
10 Till the living flesh is burned
11 All alone in her nirvana
12 Fields
13 We drive east
14 Nothing changes
15 In the Night time
16 Heaven Street

Spinefarm Records has set a January 11, 2006 release date for the new NORTHER single, entitled "Scream". The title track comes off the group's upcoming full-length CD, "Till Death Unites Us", due on January 25, 2006 via Spinefarm.

"Till Death Unites Us" track listing (in no particular order):

01. Scream
02. Throwing My Life Away
03. The End of Our Lives
04. Evil Ladies
05. Drowning
06. Die
07. Everything
08. Alone In the End
09. Norther
10. Omen
11. Fuck You
12. Wasted Years

As previously reported, NORTHER have announced the addition of drummer Heikki Saari (VIRTUOCITY) to the group's ranks.

Legendary Nowegian black metallers DARKTHRONE will be releasing their twelfth album, entitled "The Cult is Alive", in February 2006 via the group's newly rekindled partnership with Peaceville Records. A single, "Too Old, Too Cold", will precede the album in January. The track listing for both releases is as follows:

"Too Old, Too Cold" single (projected release date: January 2006):

01. Too Old, Too Cold
02. High on Cold War (feat. Grutle from ENSLAVED on guest vocals)
03. Love in a Void (SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES cover)
04. Graveyard Slut

"The Cult is Alive" album (projected release date: February 2006):

01. The Cult Of Goliath
02. Too Old, Too Cold
03. Atomic Coming
04. Graveyard Slut (Fenriz on vocals)
05. Underdogs And Overlords
06. Whisky Funeral
07. De Underjordiske
08. Tyster På Gud
09. Shut Up
10. Forebyggende Krig

Both releases will also be available on DMM (Direct Metal Mastering) pressed vinyls.

Peaceville Records have just released a special edition boxset of DARKTHRONE's "Preparing for War" anthology (originally issued in 2001), which covers more rare tracks and includes a DVD of rare interview and live footage. It is only available for pre-order online from Peaceville's online store at this location (product will ship from December 14).

ATTARA, the Finnish "black/dark metal" project featuring former AMORPHIS frontman Pasi Koskinen (a.k.a. Ruoja), will release their fourth full-length album, "Äpäre", on March 22, 2006 via Spinefarm Records. The band have just released a new Christmas single, featuring an original song entitled "Teuras", backed by a cover of the track "Kansallispäivä", originally written and recorded by the Finnish band SIELUN VELJET.

AJATTARA's third album, "Tyhjyys" ("Emptiness") was released late last year through the Spinefarm Records subsidiary Spikefarm. Recordings for the CD took place at Savonlinna's Sundi Coop studio, where AJATTARA recorded their earlier releases, "Itse" (2001) and "Kuolema" (2003).

Norwegian symphonic metal band TRISTANIA have posted the following message on their official web site:

"The band feels it is about time to reveal some more details regarding the upcoming album. "It looks like it will be recorded in March, and they are happy to announce that it will be produced by Waldemar Sorychta [LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, SAMAEL].

"For this last week they have been working together with him on the pre-production in their studio. The collaboration seems to work perfect, and they are now confident that he will be the perfect producer for them in order to achieve the best possible result.

"As Waldemar Sorychta has produced some of their favorite metal albums (SAMAEL's 'Ceremony of Opposites', MOONSPELL's 'Wolfheart', and TIAMAT's 'Wildhoney'), they already knew that he was a brilliant producer. It was a huge relief to find that they also are working very well together. In the end, it was exactly what they were hoping for.

TRISTANIA's most recent album, "Ashes", is available now on SPV Records.

Long-running Canadian thrash legends ANNIHILATOR will be issuing a retrospective double-disc DVD set, entitled "Ten Years in Hell", on February 21, 2006 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV. The set contains seven classic, official ANNIHILATOR music videos, offstage band footage and bonus underground, fan-shot, live performances and a special interview with ANNIHILATOR founder and guitarist Jeff Waters as he recounts his memories of the band's first ten years in Hell. Also included are special appearances by original co-lyricist John Bates, "Neverland" frontman Coburn Pharr, "Criteria" bassist Russell Bergquist, and "Set the World on Fire"'s Mike Mangini and Neil Goldberg. Check out a DVD trailer at this location (Windows Media).

"Ten Years in Hell" track listing:

DVD 1:

01. Intro
02. Alison Hell
03. Release Party
04. TV Media One
05. Stonewall
06. TV Media Two
07. TV Media Three
08. Backstage
09. Fun Palace LIVE
10. TV Media Four
11. Set The World On Fire
12. KOTK back vocals
13. King Of The Kill
14. Jeff In Japan
15. 21
16. Only Be Lonely
17. Syn. Kill 1
18. Criteria Rehearsal
19. Alison / Homicide
20. Oh Canada
21. Ultraparanoia
22. Pharr LIVE
23. Rampage Raw
24. End Credits

Running Time: approx. 120 minutes

DVD 2:

01. Pre Annihilator era
02. Demo Days
03. Alice In Hell
04. Never, Neverland
05. Set The World On Fire
06. King Of The Kill
07. Refresh & Remains
08. Criteria
09. Other releases
10. Catch ya later
11. Mike Mangini
12. Neil Goldberg

Running Time: approx. 110 minutes

Sweden's CRYSTAL EYES have announced the addition of Danish singer Søren Nico Adamsen to the group's ranks.

"The band didn't really know what to expect when we went public with this 'vocalist search thing' since none of us have experienced anything like this before, but the response has been overwhelming," the group write on their web site. "Mikael [Dahl, guitar] received tons of material from vocalists from all over Europe, and actually most of the vocalists were from outside Sweden. Many thanks to all of you who showed interest, and put down the effort to record and send us some really great stuff. A few auditions were held this autumn at Crystal Sounds, and Nico, which is his preferred name, was simply Mr. Right. Singing-wise he's a cool mix of Rob Halford and Dio, so expect some raw and powerful vocals on the next CRYSTAL EYES album.

"Nico comes from Copenhagen, Denmark, which is actually just a few hours with the bus from Borås, so rehearsing and recording will not be a problem even though he's living in another country. The language is no problem either since the difference between Swedish and Danish is probably less than ten beers. Nico is 37 years old, and has previous recorded one album with the Danish band STARRATS, which he will continue to sing with.

"The plan for the nearest future is to rehearse the songs for the upcoming fifth CRYSTAL EYES album. Plus a few old ones as well for a one off gig, which probably will be in February at the club Heavy Fidelity, but we'll come back with more exact info about that gig soon. Then start recording the new album directly after that gig, and hopefully we can have it out before the summer."

CRYSTAL EYES' fourth full-length album, "Confessions of the Maker", was issued earlier in the year. The group's first two albums, "World of Black and Silver" (1999) and "In Silence They March" (2000), were re-released at the same time.

The cover artwork for the upcoming IN FLAMES album, "Come Clarity", has been posted online at InFlames.com. A brand-new IN FLAMES track, entitled "Take This Life", has been made available for download at this location.

As previously reported, "Come Clarity" will include a free bonus DVD featuring the band performing the album in full in a rehearsal room, akin to what METALLICA did with initial versions of their "St. Anger" album. In addition, one of the album's songs — "Dead End" — features the vocals of Swedish singer/songwriter Lisa Miskovsky.

"Come Clarity", is scheduled for a February 7, 2006 North American release through Ferret Records. The CD will be issued in Europe on February 6, 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The follow-up to 2004's "Soundtrack to Your Escape", "Come Clarity" was mixed at Tonteknik studio in Umeå, Sweden and is "the best one we've ever done," according to IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad. A video for the album's opening track, "Take This Life", was shot late last month with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL).

"Come Clarity" track listing:

01. Take This Life
02. Leeches
03. Reflect The Storm
04. Dead End
05. Scream
06. Come Clarity
07. Vacuum
08. Pacing Death's Trail
09. Crawling Through Knives
10. Versus Terminus
11. Our Infinite Struggle
12. Vanishing Light
13. Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone

Reactivated Finnish melodic extreme metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW are continuing work on their as-yet-untitled fifth album for a tentative March/April 2006 release via Spinefarm Records. "We've spent some days at the studio now with the rest of the songs for the album [as part of the second main recording session]," the band write on their web site. "Drums have already been recorded, now it's time for the rhythm guitars. Things have progressed smoothly here at Tico-Tico [studios]."

According to the band, "The material for the fifth album is heavier, much more diverse and more guitar-orientated compared to the fourth album 'A Virgin and a Whore' [2001]."

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW's current lineup is as follows:

Altti Veteläinen - Bass, Vocals
Jarmo Puolakanaho - Guitar
Risto Ruuth - Lead Guitar
Janne Tolsa - Keyboards
Petri Sankala - Drums

SOULFLY's video for the track "Frontlines" has been posted online at the Roadrunner Records U.K. web site. Check it out: MOV

"Frontlines" is the second single off the group's new album, "Dark Ages" (Roadrunner Records), available now on Roadrunner Records. The clip was filmed during the same week as the band's previous video, "Carved Inside", which was shot at a 700-year-old fortress on the shores of the Danube river in Serbia.

The follow-up to 2004's "Prophecy", "Dark Ages" was produced by SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera and was mixed by Terry Date, who has previously worked with PANTERA and DEFTONES, among others.

SILENT FORCE, the power metal band featuring ex-ROYAL HUNT singer D.C. Cooper, have posted the following message on their web site:

"Guitar recordings [for the band's fourth album] started at 'Guitars from Hell' Studio in Krefeld, Germany. We are very satisfied and excited about the results so far, we're sure next album will kick ass more than ever!!"

SILENT FORCE recorded the drums for the new CD at the House of Music studio in Winterbach, Germany with producer Dennis Ward. Guitars, bass and keyboards will be laid down at Guitars from Hell while the vocal recordings will be done at Ward's new studio in Bruchsal, Germany. "The song material is in the same direction like the last album, 'Worlds Apart'," according to a posting on the group's web site.

SILENT FORCE's third full-length album, "Worlds Apart" was released in the U.S. in October 2004 via Noise Records.

Swedish musician Dag Swanö (a.k.a Tom Nouga), a member of NIGHTINGALE and a solo artist, has launched his new homepage at www.tomnouga.se. Dag is offering for download his current album, "Inte Som Andra Barn" (Tom Nouga's own releases are solely in Swedish language) and a rarity, a 15-year-old EP from his band TOM NOUGA AND DEPP DÖDEN, entitled "Titta Först På När Jag Dansar". This EP was recorded in late 1990 at his brother's Dan Swanö's Unisound Studio with the following lineup:

Tom Nouga - Vocals, Saxophone, Keyboards
Patrik Selsfors - Guitars
Roger "Ragge" Sjögren (WOUNDED KNEE with Dan and Dag Swanö) - Bass
Dan Swanö - Drums

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, the band featuring former DEEP PURPLE/RAINBOW guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and his fiancée Candice Night, will release their new album, "Village Lanterne", on January 25 in Japan. The Japanese version will have a bonus track called "Once In a Garden". The European release is scheduled for February 6.

There are two versions of RAINBOW's "Street of Dreams" on the album. One of them is a special duet between Candice Night with Joe Lynn Turner (ex-RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE).

"Village Lanterne" track listing:

01. 25 Years
02. Olde Village Lanterne
03. I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore
04. The Messenger
05. World Of Stone
06. Faerie Queen
07. St. Teresa
08. Village Dance
09. Mond Tanz / Child In Time
10. Streets Of London
11. Just Call My Name (I'll Be There)
12. Olde Mill Inn
13. Windmills
14. Street Of Dreams
15. Once In A Garden (Japan-only bonus track)
16. Street Of Dreams (special track featuring Joe Lynn Turner)

QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali has posted the following message on his official web site:

"I have recently completed recording the drum tracks for two future tribute record releases. The track for THE BEATLES tribute is 'Magical Mystery Tour' and the track for the MÖTLEY CRÜE tribute is 'Dr. Feelgood', both of which I expect will be released sometime in 2006.

"As we wind down 2005 and begin to musically think about QUIET RIOT in 2006, I want to thank all the friends and fans for the continued support that you have given to QUIET RIOT. We have two shows left for this year, one in Salt Lake City, UT on November 29 and the final one on New Year's Eve in Ft Mohave, AZ. We will spend the month of December putting the finishing touches on the new material for the next QUIET RIOT studio CD which we hope to commence recording in January for a 2006 release. Again, my sincere thanks for your support and for all your dedication."

QUIET RIOT's current lineup includes Banali, Kevin DuBrow (vocals), Chuck Wright (bass) and Alex Grossi (guitar).

Guitarist Rob Barrett has officially rejoined CANNIBAL CORPSE as a permanent replacement for guitarist Jack Owen, who left the band in 2004. Barrett, who played with the group from 1993 to 1997 and appeared on "The Bleeding" and "Vile" albums, has contributed a song to the band's upcoming tenth album, "Kill", due on March 21, 2006 via Metal Blade Records. The CD is being recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL).

With regards to the new album's musicial direction, the band had previously said, "We are doing everything we can to make sure it's the heaviest, most brutal one we've ever made."

CANNIBAL CORPSE have been utilizing session musicians for their recent touring activities, including Barrett and Jeremy Turner, who had previously played with ORIGIN.

The Associated Press is reporting that Marilyn Manson married his longtime girlfriend Saturday (Dec. 3) in Ireland.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, married 33-year-old Heather Sweet in front of about 60 guests at Castle Gurteen, the home of a friend in Kilsheelan, County Tipperary.

Sweet is a burlesque dancer who uses the stage name Dita Von Teese. They have been dating for four years and Manson proposed at their Los Angeles home in March 2004, People magazine reported.

Manson, 36, wore a black silk taffeta tuxedo and Von Teese was in royal purple silk taffeta with a corset. They traded vows and were married in a non-denominational ceremony conducted by underground filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky, a friend of Manson, the magazine reported.

Manson, who's completing his sixth, as-yet-untitled studio LP, told MTV News back in late October that the wedding would be small, and that just a few invites went out to celebrity friends, "because it isn't about that. I wasn't looking to just have some sort of exploit out of it — I wanted it to be meaningful and something to remember," Manson said. "But the remembering part's going to be hard, because you're supposed to get drunk."

PINK CREAM 69 frontman David Readman is currently working on a solo album, tentatively due next year.

"Yes, busy, busy," Readman writes on his web site. "It's now December and I have nearly finished all the vocals. It's going really well. I also uploaded a small studio report [Windows Media], and it's small... I hope to get more footage when we go to studio this month. Dirk Brunneburg will be playing drums, he played on the first two ADAGIO records. We met back then, and I was really impressed with his playing. Some would say very progressive, but for my material it won't need that kind of approach. I've also co-written a song with Paul Logue, he's from Scotland, so with Dirk from Holland....it's already a cool mix.

"Let's see how we get on when we go on tour! Paul will also play bass and some guitar. He is the bass player from CRY HAVOC."