Swedish gothic doom metal band DRACONIAN have pushed back the projected release date of their special "bonus" album, tentatively titled "The Burning Halo" (Napalm Records), to February 2006 from the previously announced November. The CD will feature three new songs, two or three demo songs in new versions and three covers.

DRACONIAN's sophomore album, "Arcane Rain Fell", was released in January 2005 through Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Where Lovers Mourn" was recorded at Studio Underground in Västerås, Sweden and contains more than 60 minutes of music, including the 16-minute epic "Death, Come Near Me" (previously released on the 2002 demo "Dark Oceans We Cry").

Norwegian black metallers TIDFALL have posted the following message on their official web site:

"This will be a final update for a while. Not forever, but for the time beeing we have not any plans and/or projects with TIDFALL to broadcast. Several of us are so tied up on a personal level with things that comes natural at a certain stage of life that we just have to lay down our weapons for a while, and finish some other 'projects.' If you have any questions, but don't get any answers, we're sorry... We wish all of you fans a happy metal X-mas and for all of you who are awaiting a new album, all we can say is 'future brings many things!'"

TIDFALL's most recent album, "Nucleus", was issued in August 2003 via Nuclear Blast Records.

RHAPSODY guitarist Luca Turilli is currently putting the finishing touches on a new solo album, tentatively due in January/February 2006. Turilli's last solo CD, "Prophet of the Last Eclipse", came out in 2002.

RHAPSODY will be releasing their first live album ever in early 2006. The recordings will be based on performances made during leg one of MANOWAR's "Demons, Dragons and Warriors World Tour" where RHAPSODY appeared as the special guests in spring 2005.

RHAPSODY released "Symphony of Enchanted Lands II - The Dark Secret", in September 2004 via Magic Circle Music/SPV. The CD features a very special appearance by acclaimed actor Christopher Lee ("Star Wars - Episode 2: Attack of the Clones", "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", "Gremlins II", "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow").

DARK TRANQUILLITY guitarist Niklas Sundin has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"As many of you know, I'm not only a criminally overrated guitarist but also a freelance graphic designer, having created artwork for bands like IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, SENTENCED and so forth. During the years I've received lots of requests for some sort of book with my work, and now the time has come.

"'Gadus Morhua' features 132 pages of b/w drawings created between 1993 and 2005. These days, when everyone and his dog can toy around in Photoshop and create 'artwork' by blending a few layers, it feels nice to release a collection of old-fashioned pencil drawings, created directly in my sketchbook without any preparational work. Just spontaneous ink-on-paper.

"Those who are interested can head over to CabinFeverMedia.com for some previews as well as video clips that show the typical development process of a drawing. It usually starts with an eye..."

DARK TRANQUILLITY will be embarking on a European headlining tour beginning in late November in support of their latest effort, "Character" (released in January 2005). After supporting KREATOR on their European tour in spring 2005, a trip to the U.S. and numerous festival appearances, the sextet will be headlining this time, with support from thrash/metalcore hybrid CHIMAIRA, HATESPHERE and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE.

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry has told The Providence Journal that the band will start work on a new studio record in the spring. Ever since the second album of their comeback, 1987's "Permanent Vacation", the band have worked with outside songwriters such as Desmond Child, Diane Warren and Jim Vallance. Perry says he's not sure yet whether that'll happen again, but whatever happens, he's OK.

"It's inspiring. When you bring someone in, they have an idea of what an AEROSMITH song should be, and it's interesting to hear what their interpretation of the AEROSMITH sound is — whatever that is," he explained. "It's always fun to do. We've got piles of stuff — some of it works and some of it doesn't. . . . It depends on what the vibe is when we start rolling."

AEROSMITH are currently on tour in support of their latest disc, "Rockin' the Joint".

NIGHTINGALE, the Swedish progressive-metal band headed by Dan Swanö, have set "White Darkness" as the title of their upcoming album, tentatively due next year. About 75 percent of the material for the forthcoming CD was composed by Dan Swanö's brother Dag (a.k.a. Tom Nouga). The record will reportedly be very 1970s-inspired.

As previously reported, NIGHTINGALE have been confirmed as one of the support acts for KINO (featuring members of such bands as MARILLION, IT BITES, ARENA, and PORCUPINE TREE) on December 17 at John Dee in Oslo, Norway. Also scheduled to appear on the bill is GAZPACHO.

NIGHTINGALE recently posted a live recording from their gig at Sweden Rock Festival 2005. The song "Into the Light" can be downloaded from the homepage of Dag Swanö at this location.

NIGHTINGALE completed their "10-Year Anniversary Tour" — covering Germany, Netherlands and Denmark — in April. A collection of re-recorded songs from the group's first three releases, "Nightfall Overture", was made available earlier in the year.

Former STRATOVARIUS bassist Jari Kainulainen has joined forces with drummer Atte Sarkima (AJATTARA, VERENPISARA), vocalist Tommi "Tuple" Salmela (TAROT, CARDIANT) and guitarist Elias Viljainen (E.VIL) in a new Finnish heavy metal band called MESS. The group, whose musical style is being described as "BLACK SABBATH meets PANTERA," was originally formed in 2001 but went on hiatus the following year after Jari and Atte were unable to find the right singer for the project. Check out audio samples of the songs "Demolished by Fire", "Anathematized" and "Behind the Gates" at www.messmetal.net.

QUEENSRŸCHE have set a March 14, 2006 release date for the sequel to their platinum 1988 concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime", tentatively titled "Operation: Mindcrime II". Guitar overdubs for the CD were completed last week, according to a posting on the group's web site.

As previously reported, QUEENSRŸCHE have tapped Reiner Design Concepts — the art direction company that did all the artwork for "Operation: Mindcrime" — to work on their upcoming album. Production has already begun and the group expect artwork by the end of the year.

QUEENSRŸCHE's follow-up to 2003's "Tribe" will be released via the group's new label, Rhino Entertainment. "Bootleg"-quality live recordings of two tracks slated to appear on the new CD — "Hostage" and "I'm American" — are available for download at Queensryche.com.

Canadian thrashers ANNIHILATOR have posted a free full-length MP3 of the song "Maximum Satan" at their official web site. The track comes off the group's eleventh studio album, "Schizo Deluxe", which was released in North America this past week via Locomotive/Warner. The CD was issued in Japan on October 21 via Marquee Inc. Also available for download at the band's site is a free seven-minute collage of some of the guitarwork from the "Schizo Deluxe" CD.

"Schizo Deluxe" is the follow-up to 2004's "All for You", which marked the recording debut with the group of new singer Dave Padden following the departure of previous vocalist Joe Comeau (ex-OVERKILL, LIEGE LORD) in June 2003.

Music Video Distributors and Metal Mind will be releasing PAIN's "Life is Overrated" DVD in the U.S. on January 24, 2006. View the DVD cover at this location.

This is the first DVD in the discography of PAIN, the brainchild of Peter Tägtgren, famous musician and multi-instrumentalist (PAIN, HYPOCRISY) and producer (DIMMU BORGIR, DARK FUNERAL, AMON AMARTH, MARDUK, RAGNAROK)! It features two great, energetic shows played at Metalmania 2005 and at Cracow TV Studio, covering PAIN's whole discography. It also includes Peter Tägtgren's unique version of THE BEATLES' "Eleanor Rigby"!

Bonus features: bootleg from Tavastia Club in Helsinki Finland, seven video clips, interview with Peter, biography, discography, photo gallery, downloadable desktop images, and weblinks.

Track listing from Metalmania 2005:

01. Supersonic Bitch
02. End of the Line
03. On Your Knees
04. Dancing with the Dead
05. It's Only Them
06. Just Hate Me
07. Same Old Song
08. Shut Your Mouth

Bonus Live Video

Krzemionki TV Studio, Kraków:

01. Greed
02. Breathing In Breathing Out
03. Suicide Machine
04. Nothing
05. Eleanor Rigby
06. On and On

Tavastia Club, Helsinki:

01. Supersonic Bitch
02. End of the Line

Bonus Video Clips:

01. End of the Line
02. Suicide Machine
03. On & On
04. Shut Your Mouth
05. Just Hate Me
06. Same Old Song
07. Bye / Die

Danish metalcore act AS WE FIGHT are currently working on material for their sophomore full-length album, tentatively due next summer via an as-yet-undetermined label. If all goes according to plan, the band will begin recording the new CD in the spring. Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Left In Torment", "Walk of the Dead" and "Coldhearted".

AS WE FIGHT's full-length debut, "Black Nails and Bloody Wrists", was issued in April 2004 via Goodlife Recordings. The CD was produced by Tue Madsen at Antfarm studio and features artwork by Michael Lauritsen Dahl. Samples from the album can be heard at this location.

Vocalist Ciaran O'Hagan of the long-running Irish folk metal act WAYLANDER has issued the following update on the group's activities:

"At long last, the much talked about promo CD is finally ready! The sound could have been better and the tempos refined a lot more but we feel it's of a decent enough quality to use as a tool to remind the world that WAYLANDER are very much alive and kicking in 2005.

"At least one of the songs will be available to download from this site or if anyone wants the CD, they can send us a blank CD, and some pennies toward postage and packing. In the U.K. £1.50 or 6 first-class stamps should cover it. Ireland and Europe, 3 euro, rest of the world 5 euro. 4 Ballinteggart Road, Battlehill, Co. Armagh, BT62 4HN, N. Ireland.

"We are still on schedule to have the album written by the year's end. At the moment five songs are more or less completed, with three other songs in various stages of development. We've decided not to bother with a cover song after all as it seems like everyone takes that route. We prefer to tread our own pathways. If the 8 songs aren't enough, we will write another.

"'Reawakening Pride Once Lost' [WAYLANDER's cult debut album] looks well with the proper logo now. The re-release of this album with some old demo tracks as bonus material will now officially take place in December via Ulster's Midhir Records. Pre-orders are likely, try www.midhirrecords.com.

"Many thanks to Dave Briggs [of RUNECASTER fame] for recording our promo for us, it is greatly appreciated and I'm sure we all took something positive from the experience.

"We are now contacting record labels and weighing up our studio options and as soon as we know anything you will be the first to know of it!"

Audio samples from the upcoming AMORPHIS album, "Eclipse", have been posted online at the Nuclear Blast Musicshop.

"Eclipse" is scheduled for release on February 10 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to last year's "Far from the Sun" was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki with engineer Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE). The production duties were handled by the band and Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH) for vocals. The mixing was taken care of by Mikko Karmila (who previously worked with the group on their "Am Universum" CD) at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki.

"Eclipse" track listing:

01. Two Moons
02. House of Sleep
03. Leaves Scar
04. Born from Fire
05. Under a Soil and Black Stone
06. Perkele (The God of Fire)
07. The Smoke
08. Same Flesh
09. Brother Moon
10. Empty Opening
11. Stonewoman (bonus track)

THE DARKNESS' video for their new single, "One Way Ticket" (audio), has been posted online at Kerrang.com. The song comes off the British rockers' second studio album, "One Way Ticket to Hell …and Back", which is scheduled for release on November 28 in the United Kingdom via Must Destroy/Atlantic and a day later in North America. The "One Way Ticket" single will be released commercially November 14 in the United Kingdom.

"One Way Ticket to Hell …and Back" is the follow-up to THE DARKNESS' 2003 debut, "Permission to Land", (Must Destroy/Atlantic), which has sold almost 700,000 units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD will be THE DARKNESS' first release with new bassist Richie Edwards (ex-ONION TRUMP), who replaced Frankie Poullain in June. For the past two years, Edwards has toured extensively with the band as their guitar technician.

According to a posting on Toolband.com, TOOL are planning to release a DVD featuring the videos for "Schism" and "Parabol/Parabola" with added extras (more details later) sometime in December (possibly December 20). The posting adds: "Please note that this is NOT the (much-anticipated) TOOL live DVD, which will be released at some point, although exactly when is still a great unknown."

It's been four years since TOOL released their last album, 2001's "Lateralus", and drummer Danny Carey told Launch that the band prefer to take their time recording the follow-up. "We're not pressured, I think, and we don't have a record company hanging over us, saying, 'You have to do an album every year,' or something," he said. "It's a lot more important to take our time and have something to say, and if you're putting out a record every year, how much can you really learn in one year? You know, you've got to develop as a person and develop as a player."

Tarja Turunen, the ousted lead singer of Finnish metal group NIGHTWISH, said in a press conference in Helsinki on Friday (Nov. 11) that she had decided to quit the band already in December 2004, according to NewsRoom Finland. In tears, Turunen said she regretted the announcement came in the format of a letter instead of a face-to-face conversation. Check out video clips (and photos) of Turunen during her press conference, which took place earlier today.

A NIGHTWISH fan by the name of "Niko" (from the group's official forum) has posted the following summary of the things Turunen said during the press conference:

* Tarja doesn't think that business is "necessary evil." Instead she thinks that getting money is a good thing. She reminds that the band shares all the money equally and no band member has funded his part to charity. She also says that if she had preferred money over music she would have accepted to [make guest appearances with] all those heavy bands who have asked her to do so.

* Tarja says about the things she said in an airplane (that she could leave NIGHTWISH at any time, giving them only one day’s warning in advance) that she was angry and didn't really mean that she would do so. She said that any band member could leave the band at any time. But she gave the band two and half year's warning in advance (meaning she had already told them to leave the band after the next album and tour).

* Tarja says that the reason she never came to rehearsals before recording was that the band had worked that way since the beginning and no one had asked her to come practice. Instead she had practised the songs at home with the demo tape. About flying, she says she preferred flying because she couldn't sleep well in the bus.

* Tarja says she never underestimated fans. About the Oslo gig, she says, she was informed about the concert after it was already sold out and she had already made other plans. She said she has to rest enough or she loses her voice. She [points out] that the gig was not cancelled and Norwegian fans are as important to her as any other fans.

* Tarja doesn't understand why the band blames [her husband] Marcelo. She says that all band members had an own technician helping with the instruments. Her "technician" was Marcelo who, for example, often arranged her private room where she could change her clothes during the concert.

* Tarja is still very sad about the way she was fired. She starts to cry when she is talking about that.

* In the future Tarja is going to start her solo career and she is going to keep some elements of heavy metal in her music. She also said she will be interested about the next NIGHTWISH album and she may even go to watch some of their gigs.

JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the solo project of SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, have set "Maniacal Renderings - Chapter 2" as the title of their sophomore album, tentatively due next spring. "The title is very fitting considering the direction of the new music and the lyrics Jon is putting down on paper," JON OLIVA'S PAIN drummer Christopher Kinder writes on the group's web site. "This is going to be one twisted ride with some very dark lyrics and some very heavy friggin music!...YES!

"As some may already know, pre-production is being done at Pig-Pen Studios (which is basically the studio in my house). I had my garage professionally converted into a fully funtional studio, and while the six of us are a little short on elbow room, you would be amazed at what we get accomplished. Oliva actually sits in the control room area with a good monitor mix and great isolation from the band. Did I mention that Oliva uses my clothes dryer for a table...? That's right, he sits right in front of my washer and dryer!...How funny is that? (I will post pictures in the coming days...We know you won't believe it until you see it for yourselves).

"We had an interesting band meeting last night as we were discussing the upcoming future for JON OLIVA'S PAIN...and the future is very good! Following the meeting, we began work on another great Oliva guitar riff. Jerry [Outlaw, guitar] had recorded some ideas a few weeks ago and we found a perfect match to compliment this new diddy!...An hour later and this song was in the bag. It is sort of like a 'Moutain King' meets Zakk Wylde meets BLACK SABBATH vibe. Heavy and in your face. A working title for this song is 'Time To Die'! We laid down all the necessary tracks including keyboard drums performed by cement-fingers himself...( Oliva). Jerry has been bringing some amazing sh*t to the table. The teamwork displayed by everyone in the band has been something special. Oliva could easily write every song on his own, so it is nice to see him rubbing his hands together, and with a snickering laugh says 'Wait til they hear this!'

Working songtitles so far are: 'Maniacal Renderings', 'Time To Die', 'I Don't Want Blood On Your Hands', 'Pyramid on Mars' (instrumental), 'Steaming Pig' (not really,...but that's all we have for now...hehe), 'The Answer' (from the original JON OLIVA'S PAIN demos) , 'Reality's Fool' ( another demo from Chapter 1), and a whole bunch more that I just cannot remember right now...Sorry!

"The goal is to get 16 songs ready for recording. We need some bonus tracks for different countries...plus we like to hear the sounds of our own instruments (and our voices) so we will record as much as possible."

ANGTORIA, the new Swedish/British orchestral/metal band formed by female singer Sarah Jezebel Deva (CRADLE OF FILTH, THERION, MORTIIS), composer Chris Rehn (ABYSSOS) and Tommy Rehn (MOAHNI MOAHNA), have inked a deal with France's Listenable Records. The group's debut album is tentatively scheduled for release in the spring. A full-length MP3 of the ANGTORIA demo track "Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough" has been made available for download here. Other songtitles expected to appear on the upcoming CD include "Confide In Me" (KYLIE MINOGUE cover), "Little Girl", "Deity Of Disgust" and "I Cried Alone".

HATE PROFILE, the new "cold, eerie and chaotic" black metal project featuring Amon 418 (HORTUS ANIMAE, OPPOSITE SIDES) and GroM (ANCIENT, HORTUS ANIMAE, ex-DOOMSWORD, PSYCHORDER), will release their debut album, "The Khaos Hatefile", on December 20 via Cruz del Sur Music. The CD was produced by Amon 418 for Era Vulgaris Musick and the first pressing will be a limited-edition digipack featuring artwork by Fabban of ABORYM. The album is being described by the band as "a truly heart-taking project that moulds the old-school black metal feel with the new world, a must for those who seek a stylish album that dwells in the roots of the genre without fearing experimentation...and some damn good riffs!"

Amon is also engineering the forthcoming HATE PROFILE/DEFIXIO split CD, which features GroM handling the drums for both bands. Era Vulgaris Musick is taking care of the production and visuals creation.

A full-length video of ARCH ENEMY performing the track "Nemesis" live at the UNSW RoundHouse in Sydney, Australia on November 5 has been posted online at HailMetal.com (free registration required). Also included are the clips for "My Apocalypse" and "Taking Back My Soul". A very comprehensive gig review is available at this location.

As previously reported, ARCH ENEMY have recruited Fredrik Åkesson as a replacement for Chris Amott (guitar) for the continued "Doomsday Machine" touring campaign. Åkesson has lent his awesome guitar talent to such varied artists such as TALISMAN, JOHN NORUM, KRUX, TIAMAT and his own (now defunct) group, SOUTHPAW.

ARCH ENEMY's latest album, "Doomsday Machine", entered the official German Top 100 chart at position No. 34. The CD was co-produced by the band and Rickard Bengtsson at Slaughterhouse Studio in Sweden and was mixed by Andy Sneap at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, U.K.

A brand-new DRAGONFORCE track, entitled "Through the Fire and Flames", is available for download at this location.
The song comes off the London-based "extreme power metal" band's upcoming third album, "Inhuman Rampage", due on January 9, 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "Sonic Firestorm" was recorded at Thin Ice Studios in Virginia Water (Surrey) and guitarist Herman Li's own studio in West London between April and September, while production duties were shared between Li, fellow axeman Sam Totman and keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov.

"Inhuman Rampage" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Through the Fire and Flames
02. Revolution Deathsquad
03. Storming the Burning Fields
04. Operation Ground and Pound
05. Body Breakdown
06. Cry for Eternity
07. The Flame of Youth
08. Trail of Broken Hearts

The album will be released on CD and picture vinyl, with the CD featuring an enhanced section and other surprise goodies.

DRAGONFORCE recently parted ways with bassist Adrian Lambert and are currently seeking a replacement. Former HEAVENLY/current MALADAPTIVE guitarist Frederic Leclercq will fill in on a temporary basis for their upcoming shows in the U.S. and Canada during November.

Former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider and ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick will be making guest appearances on the new LORDI album, entitled "The Arockalypse". Dirkschneider will visit the band in the studio this week and is expected to contribute his distinctive voice to a song called "They Only Come Out at the Night".

"Udo has my absolute favourite heavy metal voice," said LORDI leader Mr. Lordi. "I saw U.D.O. on the 'Animal House' tour in 1998. I was there in the first row, and since that I've been to every single U.D.O. and ACCEPT gig in Finland. His voice has influenced me a lot. I'm sure that some fans may have noticed how I sometimes desperately try to imitate his singing style," Mr. Lordi laughed.

Bruce Kulick, KISS's lead guitarist for 12 years and a member of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, UNION and ESP, will play a solo in a song called "Snowing in Hell".

"We are all huge KISS fans, so to co-operate with a legend like Mr. Kulick is the greatest honor we could get!" LORDI guitarist Amen said. "I remember when I was a kid and I saw KISS's video 'Who Wants to Be Lonely' where Bruce Kulick is playing a solo in a shower. Well, of course I wanted to be like him! Me and my friends went to my parents' garden, and while the others spurted water all over me I was playing a guitar — it was a lot of fun! This is something I never could have imagined, even in my wildest dreams. To play guitar on the same track with Bruce Kulick is just unbelievable."

"Without KISS, we wouldn't have our little band", added Mr. Lordi. "I grew up in the '80s, and I grew up with KISS with Bruce in the group. So, for me personally in some way, Bruce Kulick is the 'real' lead guitarist of KISS! Also, KISS's musical influence on LORDI comes primarily from the Eighties lineup."

"The Arockalypse" is tentatively scheduled for release early next year.

ANTIMATTER's Mick Moss has recently wrapped up the writing for the group's fourth album, entitled "Leaving Eden". A tentative track listing is as follows:

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

Recording should take place sometime in spring 2006 at Studio 33 ("Planetary Confinement"). Confirmed guest musicians on the CD include Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA) and Chris Phillips (drums; "Planetary Confinement").

Check www.antimatter.tk where there is still a free four-track live video available for download, including full artwork to print off. "Antimatter 06 06 03" was filmed during their 2003 tour and features live acoustic renditions of "The Last Laugh", "Going Nowhere/Destiny", "In Stone" and "Empty".

In July of 2005 the band released to rave reviews "Planetary Confinement", an mesmerizing and stripped-down collection of songs that further extended the band's emotional journey of sorrow and pain. Around the same time of the release date founding member Duncan Patterson (ex-ANATHEMA) decided leave the band to pursue his solo project ION.

German power metallers FREEDOM CALL have announced the addition of bassist Armin Donderer to the egroup's ranks. "He convinced us mainly with his great musical abilities," drummer Daniel Zimmermann (GAMMA RAY) writes on the group's web site. "With him, the band sounds more compact and groovy. He is a nice guy and fits very well into our band."

FREEDOM CALL's latest studio album, "The Circle of Life", was released in March via SPV Records. A live album, entitled "Live Invasion", came out in May 2004. The disc, which was recorded on the band's tour with BLIND GUARDIAN, came with a special bonus CD featuring the "Tears of Taragon" EP plus two tracks that were previously only available in Japan.