Canadian death metal band CESSATE is having a world-premier broadcast of their new album, "Shattered Hopes", on Wednesday, August 10 on www.radio306.com . The follow-up to the "Our Ungodly Descent" EP (2004) was recorded in May-June 2005 at Built Low Studios with producer Justin Bender and was mastered by Daxton Day at Nascency Studios in Saskatoon, SK.

"Shattered Hopes" track listing:

01. Suicide Black
02. My Right to Die
03. Belial Adytum
04. Baby Shaker
05. The Sweet Darkness of Despair
06. It Ruins Us All
07. Remains As Misery
08. Past the Hatred
09. Chapter II
10. Knuckles (Deep In Sorrow)

CESSATE is:

Justin Bender - Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Colin Cheechoo - Drums/Vocals
Harley Kowalsky - Lead Vocals
Peter Dabrowicz - Bass Guitar
Chad Mahlberg - Rhythm/Lead Guitar

Surely one of the most unusual releases will be the little box of the A-HA classic "The Sun always shines on T.V." produced by IN STRICT CONFIDENCE and MELOTRON cooperatively. Apart from the new and self-produced version of the song that is pressed on a CD of only 3 inches, the item offers extraordinary artwork: It contains a special picture presentation that can be watched on TV by clicking the device.

If you would like to own this exceptional collector’s item keep your eyes open in September. Note: Only 2000 pieces will be issued worldwide. Apart from this little box, the song will not be found on any other CD of the two bands.

NEW ALBUM BY IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
The release of the new IN STRICT CONFIDENCE album is scheduled January 2006 – exactly two years after the issue of the band’s last fulltime-work "Holy". Recordings are planned to be finished by August. Also, the extensive and complex artwork shall be completed by then, so the band is very confident to meet the schedule.
At present, the release of a single-EP is being discussed within the band. Most probably, it will be available as soon as November. In March 2006, ISC will embark on a grand tour. More info on that will be provided within the next days.

Crave Trendware is currently selling several officially licensed watches from Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL. Other artists whose watches are being sold through Crave include CANNIBAL CORPSE, CHILDREN OF BODOM, DARKTHRONE, Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN), DIMMU BORGIR, DIO, KATATONIA, KING DIAMOND, KREATOR, MINISTRY, MORBID ANGEL, MY DYING BRIDE, NAPALM DEATH, NILE, OPETH, RUSH, SHADOWS FALL, SKID ROW, TESTAMENT and VENOM.

For more information, visit www.cravetrendware.com.

DARK FUNERAL in May entered Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, IN FLAMES, BEHEMOTH) to begin recording of their new, as-yet-untitled album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Regain Records. The CD will feature a guest appearance by former MESHUGGAH bassist Gustaf Hielm.

DARK FUNERAL's live album, "De Profundis Clamavi ad te Domine", was released in the U.S. on May 31 via Candlelight USA/Regain Records. The CD was recorded during the band's successful 2003 tour of South America (including stops in Brazil, Chile and Colombia) and features a selection of material that spans the band's decade-long career.

DARK FUNERAL currently features vocalist/bassist Emperor Magnus Caligula, guitarist Lord Ahriman, guitarist Chaq Mol, and drummer Matte Modin.

BOLT THROWER drummer Martin Kearns has posted the fifth installment of the group's studio report at their official web site. Check it out at BoltThrower.com.

As previously reported, BOLT THROWER recently entered Andy Faulkner's Sable Rose studios to record their eighth, as-yet-untitled album. The band expect to spend three months recording the CD for a tentative October/November release via Metal Blade Records.

Earlier this year, BOLT THROWER announced the return of original vocalist Karl Willetts as a full-time member.

Willetts rejoined the group as the replacement for Dave Ingram, who left the band in August 2004 due to long-standing "health and personal problems."

BOLT THROWER's upcoming CD will be the follow up to 2001's "Honour, Valour, Pride", which was the only BOLT THROWER release to feature Ingram on vocals.

Peaceville has set an August 22 release date for the long-awaited second DVD longform from MY DYING BRIDE, entitled "Sinamorata". The disc is expected to include a video for the track "The Blue Lotus" (directed and conceived by David Palzer), live footage (12 songs) shot on November 2, 2003 in Antwerpen, Belgium, as well as backstage extras, the "Prize of Beauty" promotional clip, two videos made by MY DYING BRIDE fans ("Hope the Destroyer" and "My Wine In Silence") and a photo gallery featuring fan-created artwork inspired by the band's music."Sinamorata" track listing:01. A Sea to Suffer In 02. The Raven and the Rose 03. Under Your Wings and into Your Arms 04. The Prize of Beauty 05. The Cry of Mankind 06. A Kiss to Remember 07. Catherine Blake 08. She Is the Dark 09. My Hope the Destroyer 10. The Wreckage of My Flesh 11. Sear Me 12. The Fever SeaAs previously reported, MY DYING BRIDE's reissue of their first DVD, "For Darkest Eyes", has been delayed until the fall to avoid confusion with "Sinamorata".MY DYING BRIDE's eighth studio album, "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light", was released in February 2004 through Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Dreadful Hours" was recorded and mixed at Academy Studio in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire with producer Mags.

German melancholics END OF GREEN have uploaded their new single, "Dead End Hero", at www.dead-end-dreaming.de. Also available at the same location is a video for the track, which was directed by Michael Schneider (AMON AMARTH, THE CROWN, BRAINSTORM) at the Hifi Six club in Göppingen, Germany.

"Dead End Hero" comes off the group's new album, "Dead End Dreaming", due on August 22 via Silverdust Records. The CD will be released in a special limited digipack version containing one exclusive bonus track, the "Dead End Hero" video clip and other video features.

"Dead End Dreaming" track listing:

01. No Coming Home
02. Dead End Hero
03. Speed My Drug
04. Cure My Pain
05. Weakness
06. Sad Song
07. So Many Voices
08. Sick One
09. She's Wild
10. Drink Myself to Sleep
11. All about Nothing

Swedish "gothic metallers" BESEECH have uploaded audio clips of three songs from their forthcoming "Sunless Days" at their official web site. Check out the tracks "Innerlane", "The Outpost" and "A Bittersweet Tragedy" at Beseech.net.

"Sunless Days" is scheduled for release in Europe on September 5 via Napalm Records (September 27 in the U.S.).

The follow-up to last year's "Drama", "Sunless Days" was recorded at StudioMega in Varberg, Sweden and is set to include a a cover of the DANZIG track "Devil's Plaything" as well as a re-recording of the song "Manmade Dreams" (on the digipack version only) from BESEECH's second album, "Black Emotions".

"Sunless Days" track listing:

01. Innerlane [MP3]
02. The Outpost
03. A Bittersweet Tragedy
04. Everytime I Die
05. Devil's Plaything (DANZIG cover)
06. Lost
07. Last Obsession
08. Emotional Decay
09. Restless Dreams
10. The Reversed Mind

The digipack version of "Sunless Days" will also include:

11. Manmade Dreams (remake, 2005 version)
12. Lost (emotional & shorter version)

BESEECH will for the first time play a complete acoustic set in two stores on their mini-tour of Finland. See a list of upcoming tour dates at this location.

Long-running German thrashers DESTRUCTION have revealed the track listing for their new album, "Inventor of Evil", due on August 22 via AFM Records.

DESTRUCTION recorded "Inventor of Evil" with producer Peter Tätgtren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN), V.O. Pulver (GURD) and their live engineer Franky Winkelmann at studios in Germany and Switzerland. The mix was done by Tätgtren at the Abyss Studios in Sweden. A "making of" studio clip, featuring an unmastered rough-mix recording of the song "Soulcollector", is available at this location.

"Inventor of Evil" (view cover http://www.destruction.de/img/pictures/inventor_of_evil.jpg
here) track listing:

01. Soul Collector
02. The Defiance Will Remain
03. The Alliance of Helloundz
04. No Man's Land
05. The Calm Before the Storm
06. The Chosen Ones
07. Dealer of Hostility
08. Under Surveillance
09. Seeds of Hate
10. Twist of Fate
11. Killing Machine
12. Memories of Nothingness

Bonus tracks (digipack):

13. We are the Road Crew (MOTÖRHEAD cover)
14. The Alliance of Hellhoundz (Schmier vocals only)
video clip + wallpapers

Japanese version bonus tracks:

13. Eternal Ban (re-recording)
14. The Alliance of Hellhoundz (karaoke version)

DESTRUCTION tapped nine diferent world-renowned metal singers from all different heavy metal styles to make a guest appearance in their track "The Alliance of Hellhoundz", to be included on "Inventor of Evil". The confirmed guest musicians are as follows:

Biff Byford (SAXON)
Doro Pesch
Shagrath (DIMMU BORGIR)
Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK)
Paul Di'Anno (ex-IRON MAIDEN, KILLERS)
Messiah Marcolin (CANDLEMASS)
Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)
Peter "Peavy" Wagner (RAGE)
Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN)

Commented DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, "The all-star song 'The Alliance of Hellhoundz' will make metal history: from Paul Di'Anno to Messiah, we'll have the best metal singers in ONE fuckin' song!"

DESTRUCTION's most recent album, "Metal Discharge", was released in September 2003 through Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Antichrist" was the first DESTRUCTION album to feature drummer Marc Reign, who replaced Sven Vormann in 2001.

Ex-Death In June member Patrick Leagas aka O'Kill is due to release a new double album CD digipack entitled "Headless" under the 6 Comm monniker. The second disc holds collection of tracks entitled "Let the moon speak". "Headless" is Patrick's first solo 6 Comm album since the 1989 release "Asylum". The album will be released by the German label Dark Dimensions. In related news, Patrick Leagas has also re-opened his label Kenaz. The first issue will be a re release of 6 Comm's first album "Content with Blood" as a digipack including unreleased bonus tracks and is expected by October/November 2005. A first 6 Comm gig in the UK is already announced in London for 2006.

German power metallers SYMPHORCE, featuring BRAINSTORM frontman Andy B. Franck, will be supporting SONATA ARCTICA on their upcoming European tour beginning in early September. Also appearing on the bill will be MACHINE MEN.

SYMPHORCE's new album, "GodSpeed", is scheduled for release on September 12 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Twice Second" was recorded at House of Music studios in Winterach, Germany and features 10 tracks. A limited-edition version of the album will include a bonus DVD of approximately 45 minutes of "live and backstage" footage and the video clip for "Cause of Laughter". The cover artwork was designed by Travis Smith (ICED EARTH, NEVERMORE).

New West Records and PureVolume.com are hosting a free "Listening Party" for a limited time for ALICE COOPER's new album, "Dirty Diamonds". People can get a chance to hear the new album in its entirety before its official U.S. release next week (August 2). Check it out at this location.

Production on "Dirty Diamonds" — which is said to be a continuation of the more organic approach found on Cooper's last effort, "The Eyes of Alice Cooper" — was overseen by Steve Lindsey, who co-produced Cooper's 2004 duet with rapper XZIBIT, "Stand" (off the official Olympics Games album, "Unity") and has worked with Elton John, Luther Vandross and Leonard Cohen.

XANDRIA is back again! The 5 Bielefeld musicians made quite some impact last year with RAVENHEART. For weeks RAVENHEART topped the charts and now it s time to produce a decent follow up. Right now XANDRIA is finishing the last details for the album INDIA.
Again produced by Jose Alvarez-Brill in Belgium, a next highlight is expected. The DEUTSCHEN FILMORCHESTER BABELSBERG has contributed to some tracks This ensemble has worked for RAMMSTEIN, NENA and SOHNE MANNHEIMS and has performed the musc for SCHINDLERS LIST. INDIA will be released at 22.08.2005. Already you can download the free single of this album until 21.08.2005 at http://www.drakkar/xandria

The Mexican Electro cyborgs of Amduscia strike again and resistance is futile!
With "Impulso Biomechanico" Amduscia bring their hardfloor music towards a new musical level. A must for fans of harsh electronic music. Limited to only 1000 copies and handnumbered, the release is a 5 track maxi with a cool digipack design.

Tracklist:
01. Impulso biomecànico
02. Impulso biomecànico (english version)
03. Sad warrior soul
04. Impulso biomecanico (hell model version)
05. Impulso biomecànico (Grendel mix)

Italy's NOVEMBRE have inked a deal with Peaceville Records.

Commented the band in a statement: "Our journey through nothingness and slumber has come to an end. NOVEMBRE finally get signed to the legendary Peaceville Records. A label that, with the bands they produced and the albums released, has traced a deep and indissoluble mark in our songwriting spine. Definitely the label we should have always been signed to.

"'Materia' is our fifth and best album. No discussions about that. Furthermore, we never had the chance to get such a huge and professional sound before. We've been trapped in the pleasant Antarctic town of Helsinki, at Finnvox Studios, freezing our bones to death in order to release this magnum opus. We're sure some of that abysmal cold remained imprinted somewhere in the tracks."

"Materia" is tentatively scheduled for release on in November.

Finnish goth-metallers CHARON have uploaded an audio sample of their new single, "Ride on Tears", at their official web site. Download it at this location.

"Ride on Tears" is scheduled for release in Finland on August 3 via Spinefarm. The complete track listing for the single is as follows:

01. Ride on Tears
02. Divine (non-album track)
03. Frail I Stand (non-album track)

"Ride on Tears" comes off the group's upcoming album, "Songs for the Sinners", due in Finland on August 31 (September 5 internationally) via Spinefarm Records.

CHARON entered Finnvox Studios in Helsinki in February with producer Mikko Karmila to begin recording the follow-up to 2003's "The Dying Daylights".

Back in April 2004, CHARON named FOR MY PAIN… guitarist Lauri Tuohimaa the permanent replacement for Jasse Von Hast, who left the group in November 2003.

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 signed a three-month management deal with Fortress Music and Artist Development. To further enhance this development, a completely new cover design for their demo has been made, along with new wallpaper and banner design. Check it out at this location.

ANGTORIA are currently in the studio making a pre-production recording of the rest of the songs that will be included on the group's upcoming debut album. A full-length MP3 of the ANGTORIA demo track "Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough" has been made available for download here.

As previously reported, ANGTORIA recently won the "Sunshine and Lollipops" contest organized by the metal community and web radio station Goth Metal World. 40 unsigned acts were competing for the honor, according to a posting on ANGTORIA's web site.

ANGTORIA last summer completed a five-song "industry-only" demo at Virtual Symphony Studios in Sundsvall, Sweden and are currently seeking a record deal. The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough
02. Confide In Me (KYLIE MINOGUE cover)
03. Little Girl
04. Deity Of Disgust
05. I Cried Alone

The German synthpop band Melotron announce the first dates for their upcoming 2005 Cliché tour, in support of their latest release, Cliché. The first show will take place in Glauchau, Germany, September 17. Tour dates are posted here and further details can be found on the Melotron Web site.


Saturday 17. Dezember 2005
Bremen · Club Moments
Friday, 18. November 2005
Krefeld · Kulturfabrik
Saturday, 12. November 2005
Görlitz · Kulturbrauerei
Friday, 4. November 2005
Frankfurt/Main · Nachtleben
Thursday, 3. November 2005
Augsburg · Kantine
Friday, 28. Oktober 2005
Göteborg · Trädgär’n
Saturday, 15. Oktober 2005
Halle/S. · Volkspark
Sunday, 9. Oktober 2005
Moskau · B2 Club
Friday, 7. Oktober 2005
Hannover · Capitol
Saturday, 1. Oktober 2005
Zandaam (NL) · Kade
Sunday, 17. September 2005
Glauchau · Alte Spinnerei
Sunday, 14. August 2005
Hildesheim · Flugplatz (Mera Luna Festival)

Following the release of their second album "Vain City Chronicles", THE CREST now make their brand-new video clip available to their fans! The clip to "Run Like Blazes", also in the style of the fourty's like the album's artwork, is available for free on both Season of Mist's and THE CREST's websites.
THE CREST's "Vain City Chronicles" was released through Season of Mist on the 9th of May this year and praised for Nell's enchanting vocals, its heavier approach, soothing melodies and for successfully combining metal, rock and pop. Besides being THE CREST's frontwoman, Nell is also THEATRE of TRAGEDY's female vocalist.

Swedish modern thrashers SCAAR have announced the addition of drummer Kristian Huotari to the group's ranks. "Kristian has been playing in numerous different bands in Eskilstuna for the better part of his life," the band write on their web site.

Huotari will make his live debut with SCAAR on August 18 at Club Distortion/Pub Anchor in Stockholm. Also appearing on the bill will be ABUSED and SUBCYDE.

SCAAR recently released their latest CD, "The Second Incision", via Holland's Karmageddon Media. Described as "nothing short of energy, hard-hitting and straight into your face. . . a killer mix of MACHINE HEAD, SLAYER, PANTERA and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY," the album's artwork was created by Niklas Sundin, who has previously worked with IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, PASSENGER, NIGHTRAGE, and his own band, DARK TRANQUILITY.

Blazefans.com have posted the following update from BLAZE guitarist Luca Panciotta online, confirming both Panciotta and guitarist Oliver Palotai (DORO) as official members of the band:

"Hi everyone!!! I read a lot in these days about your feelings, your doubts and your hope about what it’s gonna happen in the next months. I can understand you because I’m a fan, too, and I can remeber when one of my favourite bands changed some members or made a bad album! Everything looks sad, but there’s another point of view: mine and that of the other guys I’m working with! We are definitely proud and happy to be in BLAZE. When I saw there was a possibility to join in the band I jumped more than I do on stage!

Now I want to update you. This is the least I can do. Me and Oli are 100% in the band, and an announcement regarding the bass player and drummer will made soon. As I’ve already said, me, Oli and Blaze (Bayley) are composing new songs. There are 14 songs so far, nine of these are finished. We need to rehearse them with the whole band and add some arrangements. Then we will be able to choose some of them to put in the next DVD. Sound seems a bit different because all last line up left, but not worse at all. Blaze feels really, really confident.

I don’t wanna disclose other things but…fasten your seat belts...BLAZE is coming back!!!!"

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has posted the following update at the band's official website:

"Hey Friends, Now for something completely different: Tobi posts news himself! :) I just wanted to state how happy I am with the first press reactions to our forthcoming EP, Superheroes, out in early September. I just thought I let you know that the songs on this EP are REAL songs, not stupid bonustracks and I would like to play some of these songs live as well. BUT, as they won’t be on any other release (except the title track), please get this CD so you KNOW the songs. First week of September is OUR week, okay?! I mean, listen to 'Judas At The Opera' and you’ll know what I am talking about.

As for the DVD: you will love it. It’s about 80 minutes at the price of a DVD-single only. So, NO RIP OFF AT ALL!!! Great quality and really funny stuff. Okay, now I am off to prepare for the forthcoming shows - Munich, Wacken, Sweden and America. Stay tuned, we keep on working and you will not be disappointed by the releases, I am sure. I mean, this is the best band in the world, isn’t it?"