SLIPKNOT's Sid Wilson has just released his debut solo album, "Sid", via iTunes and other Internet retailers. The CD features Wilson on lead vocals and sees him departing from his usual role as a DJ in both SLIPKNOT and as DJ Starscream.

"Sid" was written, produced, engineered and recorded by Wilson himself and was mixed by Ross Robinson (SLIPKNOT, KORN, LIMP BIZKIT) and Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTACH). The mastering duties were handled by Chris Gehringer (CEE-LO GREEN, DRAKE, RIHANNA).

In a recent interview with Billboard.com, Wilson described the disc as "an eclectic mix of all the different styles of music I grew up listening to. There's a strong B-Boy influence in my music, 'cause I'm a DJ. I used to listen to a lot of SKINNY PUPPY and more mainstream things that came out of industrial, like NINE INCH NAILS. I was always influenced by the BEASTIE BOYS a lot and RUN-DMC and the way they mixed their rock influences in their hip-hop stuff."

The 13-track album begins with an intro entitled "Paul" which contains audio of SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray talking about Sid, recorded prior to Paul's untimely passing in 2010. Other songs on the CD include the first single "Nervous Central" and "Flat Lace", which Wilson wrote for Gray five years before the bassist's death.

"It's just about the different struggles in his life," Wilson told Billboard.com, "and it was just my way of letting him know that I was always there for him and that I was aware of the things he had to deal with. It's definitely difficult (to sing). It's hard for me to even talk about it."

"Sid" track listing:

01. Paul
02. Flat Lace
03. Bad History
04. Hearts That Race
05. Go the Distance
06. Live & Strong
07. I Can't Save Ya
08. All I Want
09. Petrified
10. Leave it All
11. Segue to Orion
12. Nervous Central
13. Punk Rock Noise

Several tracks, including "Nervous Central", can be previewed by visiting www.sidthe3rd.com and clicking on the "Music" icon.

Swedish metallers PREY have postponed the recording sessions for their third album, "Seven Deadly Sins", to the beginning of November. The decision to delay the sessions was made after PREY's singer and guitarist Thomas Nystroem was diagnosed with pneumonia for the second time within the space of several months.

The remastered version of PREY's latest single, "Heal Me", was made available in August via GMR Music.

The "Heal Me" artwork was created by acclaimed cover artist Monowasp, who has previously worked with TNT, HOUSE OF LORDS and OVERDRIVE, among others.

PREYs' sophomore album, "Knights of the Revolution", came out in May 2009 through GMR Music.

The band's debut CD, "The Hunter", was released in September 2005 via Mausoleum Records. Sitting behind the kit during the recording sessions for the album was drummer Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P., STORMWIND). He was subsequently replaced by Robert Bäck.

PREY is:

Thomas Nystroem - Guitar and Vocals
Peter Baecke - Bass
Robert Bäck - Drums
Fredrik Plahn - Keyboards

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS/ex-VELVET REVOLVER singer Scott Weiland will release a Christmas album, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", on October 4 via Rhino Records. According to a press release, the CD covers "a variety of styles including big band swing, orchestrated ballads, reggae, bossa nova and more, all delivered with surprising ease by Scott Weiland."

"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" track listing:

01. The Christmas Song (3:16)
02. I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:05)
03. White Christmas (2:23)
04. Silent Night (3:00)
05. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2:20)
06. What Child Is This? (3:20)
07. Winter Wonderland (2:15)
08. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (2:35)
09. Happy Christmas And Many More (3:16)
10. O Holy Night (4:11)

Massachusetts rockers STAIND performed their new single, "Not Again", on last night's (Tuesday, September 13) edition of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on ABC. You can now watch video footage of their appearance below.

"Not Again" is the first single from STAIND's self-titled seventh album, which was released on September 13 via Atlantic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner). Produced by Johnny K — known for his work with 3 DOORS DOWN, DISTURBED, and SEVENDUST, not to mention his Grammy Award-nominated collaboration with STAIND, 2008's "The Illusion Of Progress" — and mixed by the legendary Chris Lord-Alge, the CD stands as STAIND's most intense and powerful work to date.

Standard CD:

01. Not Again
02. Eyes Wide Open
03. Falling
04. Wannabe
05. Throw It All Away
06. Now
07. The Bottom
08. Take A Breath
09. Paper Wings
10. Something To Remind You

Special-edition digipack CD/DVD:

01. Not Again
02. Eyes Wide Open
03. Falling
04. Wannabe
05. Throw It All Away
06. Now
07. The Bottom
08. Take A Breath
09. Paper Wings
10. Something To Remind You
11. Spleen (Live)
12. For You (Live)

+ Bonus DVD including

Dutch metallers LORD VOLTURE have completed work on their new album, "Never Cry Wolf" for a November 11 release through the band's own distribution network. The CD was produced by Yuma van Eekelen (PESTILENCE) and Bart Hennephof (TEXTURES) at Final Focus Studio and contains 11 tracks with a running time of over 67 minutes. The cover artwork was created by Bas Wijers, who also worked with the band on their previous album, "Beast Of Thunder".

"Never Cry Wolf" features a special guest appearance by vocalist Sean Peck from U.S. power metal crusaders CAGE.

Legendary KISS drummer Eric Carr was an integral part of the band for over 11 years. His powerful drumming rocked the music world through the metal Eighties. Carr is still an influence on drummers and rock fans alike.

Due on November 8 through a label imprint set up by Eric's sister Loretta Caravello, "Unfinished Business" is a special 20th-year commemorative CD release that features over 17 rare Eric Carr recordings, including previously unreleased music, live performances, interview clips and more. Guests include current and former members of KISS, TWISTED SISTER, SEETHER, ZO2, EUROPE, DANGER DANGER and more.

This CD is a testament to a man whose personality and heart were as big as his enormous talent. Eric's spirit is alive in each and every song.

For more information, go to this location.

Greg Prato, the author of such books as "Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History Of Seattle Rock Music", "Touched By Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story" and "A Devil On One Shoulder And An Angel On The Other: The Story Of Shannon Hoon And Blind Melon", last year released "The Eric Carr Story", the first-ever book to tell the life story of KISS drummer Eric Carr. Comprised of all-new interviews, the book also doubles as a study of 1980s-era KISS. You'll find insight into all of KISS' albums that featured Carr (from producers Bob Ezrin, Michael James Jackson, and Ron Nevison), as well as those closest to him (sister Loretta Caravello, girlfriend Carrie Stevens, KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick), and music-related friends (Eddie Trunk, DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy, ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante). Also included is one of the last-ever interviews conducted with KISS' original manager, Bill Aucoin, and for the first time ever, KISS fans will be able to learn what the real story line to KISS' controversial release "(Music From) The Elder" was all about (thanks to an explanation from Ezrin).

With the 20-year anniversary of Eric Carr's passing (November 24, 1991) approaching in 2011, what better way to celebrate the subjects than with all-new book? The book is set up in an "oral history" format (in other words, you're getting the story straight from the source) and is chock-full of rarely seen (or, in many cases, never-before-seen) photographs.

The Eric Carr book is 256 pages long and priced at $19.99 (ISBN # 978-0-578-07424-5).

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR will be joined by an orchestra and a choir for an appearance at next year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 2-4, 2012 in Wacken, Germany..

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AMON AMARTH
CRADLE OF FILTH
DIMMU BORGIR
ENDSTILLE
FORBIDDEN
GAMMA RAY
HAMMERFALL
MINISTRY
AXEL RUDI PELL
HENRY ROLLINS (spoken word)
SCORPIONS
SIX FEET UNDER
U.D.O.
WATAIN

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine revealed during an appearance at today's (Wednesday, September 14) "Big Four" concert at the new Yankee Stadium in New York City that he needs to undergo surgery on his neck after suffering an injury during the recently completed Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour.

Although it looked at one point on Monday like MEGADETH wouldn't be able to perform today due to Mustaine's condition (with Dave apparently lying in a hospital bed yesterday in preparation for his upcoming surgery), the guitarist/vocalist and his bandmates rocked through a 10-song set included the group's new single, "Public Enemy No. 1".

MEGADETH's setlist was as follows:

01. Trust
02. Hangar 18
03. She-Wolf
04. Public Enemy No. 1
05. Head Crusher
06. A Tout Le Monde
07. Sweating Bullets
08. Symphony Of Destruction
09. Peace Sells
10. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

"Public Enemy No. 1" has just been released digitally via iTunes. The song comes off MEGADETH's new album, "TH1RT3EN", which is scheduled for release on November 1 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others. The artwork was once again created by artist John Lorenzi, who worked on the last two MEGADETH studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest".

"Through The Shadows", the new album from Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "One For Sorrow", which will be released on October 12 in Finland, October 17 in the rest of Europe and October 18 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with sound engineer Daniel Antonsson (also bassist in DARK TRANQUILLITY and guitarist in DIMENSION ZERO) and at Fantom studios in Tempere, Finland, where the album was also mixed by Samu Oittisen.

A new INSOMNIUM song, "Unsung", is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The track, which is said to be "one of the faster and heavier songs from the diverse album," is as epic as it is melodic, as melancholic as it is majestic and as brutal as it is beautiful.

Commented INSOMNIUM guitarist Ville Friman: "'Unsung' was the last song we finished only just one day before hitting the studio. It's a bit more in vein of early INSOMNIUM and definitely reminds us from our roots. Regardless of bowing to past, this song gives you good insight of the versatility of 'One For Sorrow' and also introduces something new in terms of clean vocals in courtesy of myself."

Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have parted ways with Regain Records. The band's guitarist, Lord Ahriman, states, "Time went by and we didn't see any future whatsoever to continue to work with them." He adds, "At this point in time we have not signed to a new label, but negotiations are currently taking place. And until we have signed a new deal, we are open to any and all offers that come our way."

MPIRE OF EVIL (formerly PRIMEVIL) — the new band featuring former VENOM members Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar), Antony "Antton" Lant (drums; brother of VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant) and Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (bass, vocals) — will release its debut mini-album, "Creatures Of The Black", on October 21 via Scarlet Records. The CD will feature cover versions of four songs that influenced the members of MPIRE OF EVIL ("Exciter" by JUDAS PRIEST, "God Of Thunder" by KISS, "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be" by AC/DC and "Motörhead" by MOTÖRHEAD), plus two new songs, "Hellspawn" and "Reptile", which are available for streaming on the group's Facebook page. A full-length effort will follow sometime in 2012.

Progressive instrumentalists ANIMALS AS LEADERS will release their second full-length album, "Weightless", in North America on November 8, in mainland Europe on November 4 and in the U.K. on November 7 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was produced by drummer Navene Koperweis and his bandmates, and was mixed by guitarist Javier Reyes. The album marks the recording debut of Koperweis and Reyes with ANIMALS AS LEADERS.

"Weightless" track listing:

01. An Infinite Regression
02. Odessa
03. Somnarium
04. Earth Departure
05. Isolated Incidents
06. Do Not Go Gently
07. New Eden
08. Cylindrical Sea
09. Espera
10. To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question
11. Weightless
12. David

Check out the cover artwork b

"My Darkened Eyes", a brand new song from Oakland, California death metallers SUFFOKATE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Return To Despair", which will be released on September 27 via Mediaskare Records. The CD was recorded at Undercity Studios in North Hollywood, California.

"Return To Despair" track listing:

01. My Darkened Eyes
02. Always Hopeless
03. Distant Words
04. Return To Despair
05. Let The Water Rise
06. Vanishing
07. The Hole Beneath
08. Never Found
09. It's Fading Away
10. Everything Is Lost
11. Dissolving

Long-running German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL has announced his first dates for 2012 as follows:

April
20 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol
21 - Weert, Netherlands – De Bosuil
22 - London, UK - Underworld
24 - Langen, Germany - Neue Stadthalle Langen
25 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
27 - Nürnberg, Germany - Hirsch
28 - Kaufbeuren, Germany - All-Karthalle
29 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

May
1 - Erfurt, Germany - HsD
2 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
4 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
5 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche

Axel Rudi Pell is releasing his new compilation, featuring three brand new tracks, called The Ballads IV on the following dates:

Germany: September 23rd
Europe: September 26th
USA/Canada: September 27th

The Ballads IV will be released as standard version, double gatefold LP in coloured vinyl and download t

The past few years have seen Norway's TAAKE busier than ever before with numerous tours around the world and increased productivity. With its fifth studio offering, "Noregs Vaapen", TAAKE has refined its respected black metal sound, expanding this time around to include new elements. The album is filled with Hoest's trademark riffs, melodies and vocals, but also embraces the unpredictable — more black 'n' roll grooves, ice-cold mellotrons and Southern-inspired banjo. It is, without a doubt, TAAKE's most diverse and unique recording to date.

Due on November 1 via Candlelight Records, "Noregs Vaapen" was produced by Bjørnar E. Nilsen (DEAD TO THIS WORLD, THE BATALLION, HELHEIM, VULTURE INDUSTRIES) and features guest appearances by Nocturno Culto (DARKTHRONE), Attila Csihar (MAYHEM) and Demonaz (IMMORTAL).

"Noregs Vaapen" track listing:

01. Fra Vadested Til Vaandesmed
02. Orkan
03. Nordbundet
04. Du Ville Ville Vestland
05. Myr
06. Helvetesmakt
07. Dei Vil Alltid Klaga Og Kyta

Formed in 1993, TAAKE has built a loyal fanbase and an even more curious press profile. The controversial episodes of band leader Hoest have resulted in several incarcerations.

The band's previous album, simply titled "Taake", was released in the U.S. via Century Media.

Polish extreme metallers HATE have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records.

Commented the band's frontman ATF Sinner: "We are really proud to have found a new partner with Napalm Records for our future endeavors!

"Even though we have been touring intensively in support of our latest album, 'Erebos', we have already started writing new material for a 2012 release. It sounds very promising to my ear, and with this new record deal, I am quite sure it will definitely signify a progress in our career. At the same time, I'd like to show my appreciation for our past record label, Listenable Records, for their dedication and help that we experienced thru years of collaboration. I wish you all the best!"

HATE will embark on a European headlining tour on September 16 with support from VESANIA, NEGURA BUNGET, INFERI and LIVARKAHIL.

HATE recently finished filming a video for the song "Erebos" with the Warsaw-based Agency Moderna and visual art group Suka Off, who are well known for their performances and film art activities. The entire clip, which will make its online debut later this month, was shot at club M25 in Warsaw, famous for its post-industrial atmosphere.

Commented ATF Sinner: "We've managed to gather a great group of people consisting of Moderna Agency and Suka Off to work on this video. It's a dark, apocalyptic vision of humanity showing its downfall, moral and biological degradation. In the script we used lots of metaphors and symbolism; some of it is based on classical Ancient Greek tragedies. We tried to capture the destructive mechanisms of human nature and show the basic instincts in man getting out of control. The main figure in the clip is Erebos — embodiment of Darkness dominating the human psyche and actions. Our goal was to make a video on a high artistic level, avoiding clichés and all those accessories usually associated with metal clips."

"Erebos" is the title track of HATE's latest album, which came out last year via Listenable Records. The CD was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski (DECAPITATED, VADER).

"Erebos", which comes from ancient Greek and means literally "deep darkness" or shadow, contains ten new songs, which are said to be a fusion of blackened death metal, industrial and ambient sounds, deathcore and heavy metal.

Craig Locicero — guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the reactivated Bay Area thrash band FORBIDDEN — has issued the following update:

"After getting kicked in the balls last month, we've managed to land on our feet and keep running. We're already starting to think about the next record now and will be choosing a drummer sometime in October. I would call that progress!

"Ever since we started our quest for a new drummer, we've been walloped by videos from some pretty amazing players as well as offers from more established guys. It's been fun looking at the videos objectively and imagining what these hopeful dudes could do with FORBIDDEN if given the chance.

"There will be a lot more videos posted on our YouTube channel and we're still taking video submissions through the end of September.

"Some of the most impressive guys aren't all from the U.S.; some drummers from abroad have to be taken seriously.

"We'll announce our decision as to who gets to come out and jam with us soon. Stay tuned for that.

"We performed at Belgium's Alcatraz festival in late August with Gene Hoglan on the drum kit. It was an incredible night. The fan reaction was a huge lift to our spirits. That gig may have been one of our BEST shows since we've gotten back together! Getting to play there after cancelling our European tour was pretty special, and hanging out with our friends in DEATH ANGEL, HELSTAR, ANACRUSIS, and VICIOUS RUMORS was way too much fun. Seeing them on the side of the stage while we were playing was good motivation!

"Thanks to everyone involved with the festival and all of the fans that came from different parts of Europe to see us. We still have a tour to make up!

"We've been invited to play the ProgPower festival in Atlanta this weekend. This will be another show with Gene behind the kit. We're getting spoiled!

"There are many cool things about playing this gig, but the coolest one is that we'll be filming it for a live DVD, to be released sometime in the near future.

"Our fans have been hounding us about when we're going to do something like this; the time is now. Those of you fortunate enough to be there on Saturday will be a part of our history! We will be playing a few songs we have not brought out in years, too. Maybe even something off of 1995's 'Distortion'? We shall see..."

Drummers interested in online auditions should send a Dropbox, Fileblaze, or Mediablaze download link to: forbiddendrummer2011@gmail.com.

Italian black/thrash metal veterans NECRODEATH will release their brand new album, "Idiosyncrasy", in October via Scarlet Records. This new effort is arguably the band's most challenging so far, both musically and lyrically, consisting in one single, 40-minute-long track which sums NECRODEATH's musical approach without necessarily trying to sound "progressive." Drummer Peso has once again written the majority of the music, this time with a big help from guitarist Pier Gonella, whose importance within the band's dynamics is constantly increasing. Singer Flegias and Peso are co-authors of the lyrical concept, inspired by the eternal conflict between good and evil and the struggle towards reaching the interior peace against all odds.
"Idiosyncrasy" was recorded at Outer Sound Studios in Rome, Italy and Music Art Studios in Rapallo, Italy and mixed by Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE). The artwork, inspired by Quentin Tarantino's classic movie "Reservoir Dogs", was created by Nerve Design (NILE, THRESHOLD, VISION DIVINE, BULLDOZER). Leif Jensen (DEW-SCENTED) is credited as a very special guest on vocals.

A trailer for the new album can be seen below.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of WITHIN TEMPTATION's September 10, 2011 performance at Terminal 5 in New York City can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Mother Maiden (Short Movie)
02. Shot In The Dark
03. In The Middle Of The Night
04. Faster
05. Fire And Ice
06. Ice Queen
07. Iron
08. Our Solemn Hour
09. Stand My Ground
10. Sinéad (Short Movie)
11. Sinéad
12. What Have You Done
13. The Howling
14. Angels
15. Memories

Encore:

16. Deceiver Of Fools
17. Mother Earth

Encore 2:

18. Stairway to the Skies

Guitarist/singer Vincent Cavanagh of the U.K. atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA has told Greece's Rock Overdoseweb site that the band is in the studio recording 14 songs for its next studio album, which is tentatively due in April 2012.

A six-and-a-half-minute excerpt from the chat can be streamed using the audio player below.




In other news, ANATHEMA has parted ways with keyboardist Les Smith due to "creative and musical differences. " The band states, "All of us, including Les, tried our best to make the partnership work for many years through hard work together, but it was felt there was always a difficulty and the creative process was just not working. Sadly the split was inevitable. Great respect and thanks is due to Les for all his tireless work behind the scenes for the band.

"It has been a very difficult few months for everyone concerned as Les is a unique character and is still much loved by all in the band.

"You will have noticed that Daniel Cardoso has been performing in concerts over the festival season as a live player, but the writing and recording lineup will remain the nucleus of the band as it always was."

Notorious and resurrected U.S. black metal enigma LEVIATHAN (masterminded by multi-instrumentalist Wrest) has completed work on what has already been deemed one of the most controversial releases of the year, "True Traitor True Whore", for a November 8 release through Profound Lore Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Massive Conspiracy Against All Life" is described in a press release as "different and more unique than anything Wrest has created under the guise of LEVIATHAN. [It] is the most introverted, claustrophobic, disturbing, maniacal, progged-out, and eerily beautiful LEVIATHAN album to date. This work of black metal psychosis was realized within the confines of Engine Studios in Chicago with producer/engineer Sanford Parker at the helm, which incidentally marks the first LEVIATHAN album to be recorded in an actual proper studio environment."

"True Traitor True Whore" track listing:

01. True Whorror
02. Her Circle Is The Noose
03. Brought Up To The Bottom
04. Contrary Pulse
05. Shed This Skin
06. Every Orifice Yawning Her Price
07. Harlot Rises
08. Blood Red And True

The official lyric video for "Specter", a brand new song from the Southern California metal outfit ELITIST, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new EP, "Earth", which will be released on October 25 via Blkheart Group.

ELITIST recently announced the addition of vocalist Alex DeHeart to the group's ranks.

Regarding ELITIST's split with previous singer, Jacob Katz, the band said, "Jake is a talented guy and we would have loved for him to stay but his work schedule wouldn't allow for enough time for the band. We're all still great buddies [and] he will definitely be doing guest vocals at our shows!"

ELITIST is:

Vocals: Alex DeHeart
Guitar: Julian Rodriguez
Guitar: Sean Hall
Bass: Mike Danese
Drums: Andrew Slane

Denmark-based symphonic metal band EVIL MASQUERADE has completed work on its fifth album, "Pentagram", for a late 2011/early 2012 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The CD was once again produced by guitarist Henrik Flyman and mixed by Tommy Hansen (JORN, HELLOWEEN) at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Pentagram
02. A Silhouette
03. Perfect Disgrace
04. The Spirits of the Dead
05. Moonlight Fantasy
06. Unholy Water
07. Pray For Mercy On Our Souls
08. Soul Taker
09. On a Bed of Thorns
10. Strangers Might Fool Ya
11. When the Fire Dies
12. The Golden Ratio

Swedish power metallers DRAGONLAND will release their new album — the third part of the "Dragonland Chronicles" trilogy — on November 18 via AFM Records. Musical actor Fred Johanson will play the role of the antagonist, with all three singers from AMARANTHE — Elize Ryd, Jake E and Andy Solveström — also set to make appearances.

The visual artist from million-selling PC game "The Witcher", Damian Bajowski, will provide artwork for the album; not only will he be responsible for the cover, but will also make illustrations for the various locations in the saga.

Commented guitarist Olof Mörck: "To say I am excited about this album is a grave understatement!

"We were more than thrilled when both Damian Bajwoski and Fred Johanson accepted to contribute to this album. To have the album fully illustrated with majestic scenes and vistas from the story, and to have such a powerful and convincing voice in the role of the antagonist will lend a lot of credibility and depth to the final project! Our singer friends from AMARANTHE also appear in minor roles, further developing the universe the story is set in.

"We really feel that our ambition to give our fantasy story a touch of depth, credibility and maturity paid off well! Lending influences from classical mythology, the best fantasy movies, video games and books, we feel that fans of the style who normally finds fantasy power metal to be too over the top and ridiculous could wholeheartedly enjoy this. We also have some further surprises for you before the actual album release, to keep your eyes open and your senses wary!"

DRAGONLAND recently parted ways with guitarist Nicklas Magnusson and bassist Christer Pedersen. Taking over bass duties is Anders Hammer (NIGHTRAGE) and sitting behind the drums is Morten Lowe Sorensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION, AMARANTHE). Previous drummer Jesse Lindskog will handle second-guitar duties in the future.

DRAGONLAND 2011 is:

Vocals: Jonas Hedigert
Guitars: Olof Mörck
Keyboards: Elias Holmlid
Guitars: Jesse Lindskog
Bass: Anders Hammer
Drums: Morten Lowe Sorensen

DRAGONLAND's fifth album was recorded at several different studios, with Jacob Hansen adding his magic touch to the mix at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark. Twelve songs were recorded during the sessions, and the music itself is based on a deep and emotional story, picking up where the band's second album, "Holy War", left off nine years ago. The effort also includes a guest appearance by the legendary musical stage actor Fred Johanson.

Songtitles set to appear on the new album include "The Tempest", "A Stranger I Know", "The Shadow Of Th

"Cult", the new video from British thrashers EVILE, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's third album, "Five Serpent's Teeth", which is scheduled for release on September 26 in Europe and October 18 in North America via Earache Records.

Commented lead guitarist Ol Drake: "Finally, another EVILE video! It's been so long since 'Infected Nation' and we couldn't wait to get another video out and try something completely different. The director, Ramy, had all the right ideas for us to achieve something off the wall that we were looking for this time around. 'Cult' is quite a solid, stomping song, so we wanted something to capture that visually without the typical 'shaking' effect. Hope you all like it."

Added vocalist/rhythm guitarist Matt Drake: "As we have often said, we like to do things a bit differently and occasionally side-step the typical or obvious, so here is our video for the first single, 'Cult', from our new album, 'Five Serpent's Teeth'. We hope you enjoy it and have a laugh with it. Most of all, we hope this song will convince you to JOIN OUR CULT. I'm glad I remembered to clean my teeth before we filmed this."

EVILE will celebrate the release of "Five Serpent's Teeth" by taking part in a number of in-store signing sessions at Blue Banana stores in the U.K.