Drummer Pedro "Pete" Sandoval (MORBID ANGEL) and guitarist Jesse Pintado (ex-NAPALM DEATH) are currently working on material for a new TERRORIZER album and DVD. The band, who are currently unsigned, expect to begin recording the effort this summer. Labels interested in discussing a possible deal are asked to contact World Management at worldentertainment@comcast.net. Both Pete and Jesse are interested in playing shows once the album has been released.

Speaking to Finland's Sonera Plaza last year, Sandoval expressed his enthusiasm for reviving the cult grindcore project that has been considered an influence for so many bands that followed in their wake. "I know that there has been rumors over the years [about the band recording the follow-up to 1989's 'World Downfall'] but this time it's really going to happen, I'm going to force the other guys into the studio with me if I have to]!" he said. "On the album, there's going to be me, Oscar Garcia [vocals] and Jesse Pintado."

With regards to the musical direction of the new TERRORIZER album, Sandoval said, "It's gonna be like the first TERRORIZER album... I mean, the sound of the album is going to be about the same. Maybe I'll play a little bit faster though..."

A radio-broadcast-quality recording of OPETH's new track, entitled "The Grand Conjuration", has been posted online in MP3 format at this location (length - 9:55; size - 22.71 MB; quality – 320 kbps).

"The Grand Conjuration" comes off the Swedish band's upcoming album, "Ghost Reveries", due late August/early September through Roadrunner Records.

"Ghost Reveries" was mastered on June 16 at the Cutting Room facilities in Stockholm and will feature a running time of 65 minutes. The full track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Ghost of Perdition
02. The Baying of the Hounds
03. Beneath the Mire
04. Atonement
05. Reverie/Harlequin Forest
06. Hours of Wealth
07. The Grand Conjuration
08. Isolation Years

SEVEN WITCHES will enter the studio on July 18 to begin recording their sixth album, "Metal Nation". The follow-up to last year's "Year of the Witch" will be the group's first album to feature new singer Alan Tecchio, formerly of HADES and WATCHTOWER.

SEVEN WITCHES have yet to announce a new record deal following their split with the Sanctuary label earlier in the year.

In other news, two new audio samples from SEVEN WITCHES guitarist Jack Frost's upcoming solo album, "Out in the Cold", have been posted online. Check out the song "Crucifixation" (.WMA file), featuring Neil Turbin of ANTHRAX fame, and "Wasting Your Luv" (.WMA file), featuring Ted Poley of PROPHET/DANGER DANGER.

Frost's sophomore solo CD, "Out in The Cold" is due to be released in September. The album includes guest appearances by Poley, Jeff Martin of BADLANDS and RACER X, Tecchio, Kevin Bolembach of NON-FICTION, Turbin, Dale Toth of RATTLE BONE, Terry Ilous of XYZ, Eric Ragno of VOX TEMPUS, Dennis Hayes of WINTERS BANE and SEVEN WITCHES, Mike LePond Of SYMPHONY X, Patrick Johansson of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, Rev Jones of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, Joey Vera of ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING and SEVEN WITCHES, Mike Duda of W.A.S.P., Jeff Curenton of SEVEN WITCHES and Chuck White of ION VEIN. The track listing is as follows:

01. Wasting Your Luv
02. Hell Or High Water
03. Crucifixation
04. Out In The Cold
05. Sign Of The Gypsy Queen
06. Peter and Me
07. Cold As Ice
08. Covered In Blood
09. Hold On Loosely
10. Passage To The Classical Side
11. Headfirst

SEVEN WITCHES will be releasing their first official DVD, entitled "Years Of The Witch", featuring a recent live performance of the band shot with seven cameras as well as bonus features that will include never-before-seen video shot from all over the world including footage from the OVERKILL/SEVEN WITCHES tour, footage of every incarnation of the band and as a bonus to the bonus footage, pictures from all over the world and personal photos never before seen outside the SEVEN WITCHES circle.

Sweden's KATATONIA have entered Fascination Street studio, located in the outskirts of Örebro, Sweden, to begin recording their new album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Peaceville Records. The band have posted the following recording update on their official web site:

"Daniel [Liljekvist] finished the drum takes two week ago on and did one helluva solid job on 14 songs all in all. He hits hard and precise so a fat and punchy sound came natural. Upon that, we took a little break and some of us got the chance to visit Sweden Rock and Hultsfred festivals and enjoy the action there.

"Earlier this week we went back and twiddled amps and checked cabs and nailed a very heavy guitar sound. Rhythm guitars for half of the material has been done so far. Now, we're taking yet another break, celebrating 'midsommarafton' — a Swedish traditional weekend and then we're doing the Estonian and Greek gigs next week. After that we'll be back to the crank and crunch."

KATATONIA's last album, "Viva Emptiness", was released in 2003.

As previously reported, The End Records recently licensed through their sub-label Infinite Vinyl series KATATONIA's "Saw You Drown" — a mini album from 1998 that collectors regard as maybe the rarest and most-wanted item in KATATONIA's discography. The vinyl version is limited to 1,000 copies, all hand-numbered. It also features an unreleased band photo, lyrics to all songs, plus personal liner notes from the band.

British metallers ANATHEMA have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Sewerside Studios is the name of Les's [Smith, keyboards] recording facility in Yorkshire, U.K. A fully digital recording studio, rehearsal room, video editing studio, multimedia, webdesign and more. Work has been ongoing in between tours at the studio the last few months for Les with help from the rest of the band and friends. ANATHEMA have been rehearsing, recording and mixing there for a while now. The audio for our latest DVD was mixed at Sewerside Studios. We are, of course, busy recording new songs there too. We'll give you more specific news about the new music in a different post. A website is under construction for the studio, we'll put the link up and some images as soon as we can."

Former CARCASS frontman Jeff Walker has contacted BLABBERMOUTH.NET to refute a rumor that the much-missed Liverpool, U.K.-based gore-grind pioneers may be reuniting for a possible tour.

A June 22, 2005 posting on the Earache Records-affiliated web site www.metaltracks.com indicated that Walker, along with former CARCASS guitarist Bill Steer and ex-AT THE GATES drummer Adrian Erlandsson, hinted at the recent Metal Hammer Awards in London that the two bands are considering reforming and going on tour together in the near future.

In an e-mail sent to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Walker said, "For the record, Bill Steer wasn't even at the Metal Hammer awards and I didn't speak to Adrian that night! I'd find the whole matter hilarious if it wasn't for the fact that the rumor is probably gonna put a few people's noses out of joint..."

As previously reported, THE HAUNTED bassist Jonas Björler told BLABBERMOUTH.NET earlier today that the rumors of a possible reunion of his former band, legendary Swedish thrashers AT THE GATES, were "untrue."

Sweden's IN FLAMES have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the [new] album's done — when it comes to the music, that is. We still have to do the cover, booklet etc. Once again, we would like to say how pleased we are with the result and we can't wait until you get your hands on the finished product.

"This is the eighth IN FLAMES album and it's awesome to feel as excited as it was our first. The name of the album will NOT be 'Crawl through Knives', instead it will be 'Come Clarity'."

"Come Clarity" final 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. Crawl through Knives
10. End of Things
11. Our Infinite Struggle
12. Vanishing Light
13. Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone

"Come Clarity" was mixed at Tonteknik studio in Umeå, Sweden for a fall 2005 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

IN FLAMES singer Anders Fridén recently told Nuclear Blast magazine that the upcoming album "will be more uptempo" and will feature "more guitar harmonies" than was the case with 2004's "Soundtrack to Your Escape".

MelodicRock.com has revealed the details behind who takes the mic on individual tracks on "The Battle", the highly anticipated album featuring SYMPHONY X's Russell Allen and MASTERPLAN's Jorn Lande. The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Another Battle (Jorn & Russell)
02. Hunters Night (Russell)
03. Wish for a Miracle (Jorn & Russell)
04. Reach a Little Longer (Jorn)
05. Come Alive (Jorn & Russell)
06. Truth of Our Time (Jorn & Russell)
07. My Own Way (Jorn)
08. Ask You Anyway (Russell)
09. Silent Rage (Jorn & Russell)
10. Where Have the Angels Gone (Jorn)
11. Universe of Light (Russell)
12. The Forgotten Ones (Jorn & Russell)

"The Battle" artwork was painted by the legendary designer Rodney Matthews (ASIA, MAGNUM, DIAMOND HEAD, PRAYING MANTIS) and can be viewed at this location.

With songs written by LAST TRIBE and STARBREAKER guitar sensation Magnus Karlsson and with the production of the Scandinavian studio wizard Anders "Theo" Theander (PAIN OF SALVATION, LAST TRIBE, URBAN TALE), the two monster vocalists for the first time unite their talents in a fabulous record that seems to be forged in the fires of mayhem.

Since 1995, Russell Allen has been the singer of the American prog-metal band SYMPHONY X, which has released six studio albums and one live CD. Current MASTERPLAN vocalist Jorn Lande has a vocal capability that is world class, distinctive, rich and spanning a large range. As such, the man is in high demand since he has guested or sung for such bands as MILLENIUM, ARK, THE SNAKES and many others. He is also a well known solo artist with three albums under his belt, beginning with his 1999 debut, "Starfire".

The album will be released in Europe on September 19 on Frontiers Records. Preview the exclusive MP3 sample of the track "Hunter's Night", at this location.

Reuters is reporting that singer Billy Corgan said on Tuesday (June 21) he plans to revive the SMASHING PUMPKINS, his Grammy-winning band which broke up in 2000 after more than a decade of blending alternative rock with the avant-garde.

In full-page advertisements in Chicago newspapers, the bald-headed Corgan said, "I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams."

He did not say which if any of the band's former members would be involved in the revived group, which broke through with albums such as "Gish" and "Siamese Dream".

The PUMPKINS' top selling album was "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" which came out in 1995, but as the 1990s progressed their work became increasingly obscure as tensions arose in the group.

Reactivated Swedish death metallers DISSECTION have announced the addition of bassist Haakon Forwald (MYRKSKOG, DISIPLIN) to the group's ranks. A photo of the band's new lineup can be found at this location.

As previously reported, DISSECTION entered the studio on February 2 to begin recording their long-awaited third album, the group's first release since 1995's classic album "Storm of the Light's Bane". The recording is taking place at Black Syndicate Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, with DISSECTION mainman Jon Nödtveidt's brother Emil Nödtveidt (a.k.a. THE DEATHSTARS' Nightmare Industries) and Skinny Kangur behind the wheels. Eleven songs are being recorded for the album and the material is being regarded by the band as "a work of sonic black magic, actively channelling the anti-cosmic current 218."

DISSECTION are currently in negotiations with several labels for the upcoming release (which is planned for the fall 2005), but the recordings are being completely financed by the band itself independent of any record company. A final decision about the group's new label home is expected to be made soon.

Late last year, DISSECTION released their comeback single/EP, "Maha Kali", via Escapi Music/Screaming Ferret Wreckords.

Los Angeles-based cyber-metallers FEAR FACTORY have finalized the track listing for their new album, "Transgression", due on August 23 via Trillion Records. Trillion is the new imprint from Liquid 8 Records and Entertainment founder and CEO, Mike Cattain, who has created Trillion as a home for FEAR FACTORY and new bands seeking a creative haven grounded in growth.

FEAR FACTORY entered Track Record Studios in North Hollywood, California on May 5 with producer Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, SOULFLY) to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "Archetype". In addition to Toby Wright, there is a list of guest musicians collaborating on "Transgression", including bass player Billy Gould of FAITH NO MORE fame. Billy contributes to two songs: "Echo of My Scream" and "Super Nova". Also included on "Transgression" is "New Promise", which was co-written with Mark Morton of LAMB OF GOD.

"Transgression" track listing:

01. Transgression
02. Contagion Empire
03. Empty Vision
04. New Promise
05. Supernova
06. 540,000 Degrees Fahrenheit
07. Spinal Contagion
08. Moment of Impact
09. Ammunition
10. Echo of My Scream
11. Anthem (GODFLESH)
12. Millenium (KILLING JOKE)

Sweden's HYPOCRISY have finalized the track listing for their as-yet-untitled new album, due on September 5 via Nuclear Blast Records. "Even though the album is still untitled, we can guarantee you that it sounds killer!" the band write on their web site. The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Intro (not named yet)
02. Warpath
03. Scrutinized
04. Fearless
05. Craving for Another Killing
06. Let the Knife Do the Talking
07. A Thousand Lies
08. Incised Before I've Ceased
09. Blooddrenched
10. Compulsive Psychosis
11. Living to Die

HYPOCRISY's most recent album, "The Arrival", was released in February 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Catch-22" was recorded at frontman Peter Tägtgren's Abyss studios.

MORBID ANGEL bassist/vocalist David Vincent and GENITORTURERS frontwoman Gen have issued the following plea for help in the case of missing MORBID ANGEL guitarist Tony Norman (ex-MONSTROSITY):

"MORBID ANGEL are scheduled to fly to Portugal this Wednesday for a huge festival. As of today, no one has seen or heard from Tony Norman, MORBID ANGEL's rhythm guitarist, who also used to play in the band MONSTROSITY.

"He was last seen by us at our friends wedding when him and his girlfriend were seated at our table. This was well over a month ago and no one has had contact with him since that we can determine.

"We have contacted many of his friends, parents etc... no one has heard from him We think that he has recently moved within Tampa to a new place… No one seems to know where and none of his phone numbers are working…. so no one at this point is able to reach him.

"At this point David and the rest of the MORBID ANGEL crew are really worried about him as it is not like him to be out of touch. A missing person's report has been filed.

"If you know him or anyone that has contact with him… please help us contact anyone you know who might also know him or his girlfriend."

According to a post at CHILDREN OF BODOM fan site Scythes-Of-Bodom.com, CHILDREN OF BODOM have selected the track "In Your Face" as the first single off their upcoming album, "Are You Dead Yet?". The single is scheduled for release on August 17 via Spinefarm Records.

As previously reported, CHILDREN OF BODOM mastered their new album, "Are You Dead Yet?", on June 6 at Finnvox studios in Helsinki following a six-week recording/mixing session with producer Mikko Karmila.

CHILDREN OF BODOM mainman Alexi Laiho recently told Finland's Soundi magazine that "Are You Dead Yet?" will feature some completely new influences. The follow-up to 2003's "Hate Crew Deathroll" will apparently be even more straight-forward than its predecessor and will contain some industrial elements while retaining COB's trademark sound, including the super-fast guitar and keyboard solos.

In other news, the deluxe edition of CHILDREN OF BODOM's "Hatebreeder" album is scheduled for release on July 18 via Nuclear Blast Records. The bonus track on the CD will be a cover of the song "No Commands" by the legendary Finnish band STONE (the former band of current CHILDREN OF BODOM guitarist Roope Latvala) which was recorded during the "Hatebreeder" sesions.

Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH have posted the following update on their official web site:

"The recordings of the upcoming album, 'Ad Majorem Satanhas Gloriam', progress steadily. Infernus [guitar] and King [bass] have been in a studio in Spydeberg (Norway) for the past weeks where they have recorded bass and guitar. They have brought the tapes back to Bergen and will continue their work in Earshot Studios during this summer."

"Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam" is tentatively scheduled for release before the end of the year via Sweden's Regain Records. The band were most recently signed to Nuclear Blast Records, who released the band's last three efforts: "Twilight of the Idols" (2003), "Incipit Satan" (2000) and "Destroyer" (1998).

GORGOROTH last year inked a deal with the French label Season of Mist for the reissues of their first three albums: "Pentagram" (1994), "Antichrist" (1996) and "Under the Sign of Hell" (1997). All three were re-released earlier this year in a remastered, digipack version.

Guitarist Ronny Tyssen of the Dutch melodic death metallers CALLENISH CIRCLE has posted the following recording update on the band's official web site:

"After playing guide guitar in order to help Gav [Gavin Harte] getting the drums on tape, it was up to Gail (producer) to do some editing on the recorded tracks. After that I was the chosen victim to show my abilities on the six-stringed axe. The first day we spent a couple of hours trying to find the guitar sound we had in mind. After trying some different set-ups and guitars, we definitely succeeded finding exactly what we wanted. I started recording the first of the 36 guitar tracks (nine songs with four basic guitars per song). I must say this went pretty smooth, so after three days of a little blood, minor sweat and just a few teardrops I finished the basic tracks of one guitar. For the other guitar's basic tracks we had to find another sound fitting to the already recorded one. Again we tried several set-ups before we were satisfied. And satisfied we were! The sounds match perfectly and are causing a big smile on my face every time I hear it. Playing the other guitar parts again took three looooong days. Respect to Gail and Rene (assistent studio engineer) for making such an amount of studio hours a day. Now it was time to play the clean, acoustic, melodic and solo guitars. The solo guitars were partly recorded by Muuk [guitarist Remy Dieteren]. After three (again long) days of experimenting with sounds, riffs, little extra’s and listening the songs over and over again we finally got to see some daylight again. With all guitars on tape, knowing it shreds big-time, I can get some decent sleep for the first time in weeks. But hearing the result, it must say it was definitely worth it. Next up is Maurice (Engine of Pain) recording the basslines. Maurice replaces Rocco [Rene 'Rocco' Rokx] (who is not a member of CALLENISH CIRCLE anymore) in the studio. More news about that soon..."

CALLENISH CIRCLE are recording their fifth album at a studio in The Netherlands with producer Gail Liebling (mastermind behind GAIL OF GOD). The mix will be done at Antfarm Studio in Denmark with Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, ILLDISPOSED, MNEMIC). Mastering duties will be handled by Peter Neuber at Mega Wimp Sound in Germany. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Sweet Cyanide", "This Day You Regret" and "As You Speak". The album will include a bonus DVD, featuring a professionally recorded (audio & visual) live show (filmed at the 013 venue in Tilburg), a home video of the band's trip to the Piorno Rock Festival in Spain, and a studio report of the recordings of their upcoming album. A November release via Metal Blade Records is expected.

Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS have parted ways with longtime bassist Jari Kainulainen. In a posting to the band's official forum, STRATOVARIUS mainman/guitarist Timo Tolkki writes, "Some of you have heard rumors that Jari Kainulainen has left STRATOVARIUS. Unfortunately I have to tell you that they are true. This is due to personal reasons. We will release official statement regarding that soon."

STRATOVARIUS' new self-titled album is scheduled for release on September 5 via Sanctuary Records. A video for the album's first single, "Maniac Dance", was shot on April 15 in Helsinki by director and guitarist Timo Tolkki's old schoolmate Antti Jokinen (BEYONCÉ, WYCLEF JEAN, KORN, MISSY ELLIOT, NIGHTWISH, SHANIA TWAIN, CELINE DION).

STRATOVARIUS will be teaming up with INTO ETERNITY for a North American tour beginning in mid-September.

EXODUS frontman Rob Dukes has posted the following update on the progress of the recording sessions for the band's new album:

"Just checking in to let you know where we are at... Paul [Bostaph, drums; ex-SLAYER, FORBIDDEN] is done — fucking killed it. Gary [Holt, guitar] — rhythm tracks done...fucking awesome. Jack [Gibson, bass] — has one song left ...fucking sick... Gary's done a few leads and just shredded them. I'm done with three tracks and everyone is stoked. Me and Jack will get back to it [Saturday, June 18]."

EXODUS are currently recording their new album at Trident studios in Pacheco, California. The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2004's "Tempo of the Damned" will mark the band's first release with Dukes. Mixing duties will be handled by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR). Among the tracks set to appear on the CD is "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (working title), which Holt has described as "one of the fastest EXODUS songs of all time."

EXODUS recently parted ways with longtime drummer Tom Hunting after Hunting was taken ill and had to be hospitalized several times.

EXODUS have yet to comment on reports that guitarist Rick Hunolt has left the group. All guitar work on the upcoming CD is being handled by Holt.

DEVILDRIVER's video for the track "Hold Back the Day" has been posted online here.

"Hold Back the Day" comes off the group's upcoming sophomore album, "The Fury of Our Maker's Hand" album, due on June 28 via Roadrunner Records.

The follow-up to DEVILDRIVER's 2002 critically-acclaimed self-titled debut, "The Fury of Our Maker's Hand" was produced by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY, NAPALM DEATH) at Sonic Ranch Studios in El Paso, TX and is "way heavier and much faster" than its predecessor, according to Fafara.

DEVILDRIVER is Fafara, Jon Miller (bass), John Boecklin (drums) and Jeff Kendrick and Mike Spreitzer on guitar.