rebro, Sweden-based metallers SAINT DEAMON have announced the addition of drummer Oscar Nilsson to the group's ranks. He replaces founding member Ronny Milianowicz, who left the band earlier in the year.

Commented the SAINT DEAMON: "Oscar is from Gothenburg, the metal heart of Sweden. He has been hanging with us for the last couple of gigs — since Ronny's defection earlier this spring —and man he knows how to work those drums, In almost no time not only did he manage to learn the songs, but also put his own touch to them in an all good way. We were all blown away as soon as the intro for 'My Judas' faded on the first gig."

SAINT DEMON is working on material for its third album, tentatively due next year via Frontiers Records.

Stipe Juras, one of the founders of the Croatian IRON MAIDEN fan site and a long-time music journalist and writer, has announced plans to publish two new books — a book about MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith and a special book about the band's fans.

According to Juras, the Smith book will "surpass" his previously published book on IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris and will be made available no earlier than on Smith's birthday in February 2012. Those who order the Smith book will get it in a personalized form, with their name printed on one of the first pages, just like the fan book.

Swedish symphonic power metallers DRAGONLAND have completed work on their fifth album for a late 2011 release via Germany's AFM Records. Several different studios were used to track this utterly ambitious CD, 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.

Commented DRAGONLAND guitarist Olof Mörck: "After 'Astronomy', we knew we needed to explore our music further not to risk becoming a band that releases music every year cast in the same mold, so the idea from the beginning was: what would it be like with a metal album based in fantasy that respects the literary genre, that actually tries to be mature and that enriches said fantasy world with inspiration from millenias of human mythology?

"To make a neoclassical album filled with overly bombastic clichés of steel clad warriors was out of the question — instead we explored the themes and sounds around various fantasy movies, new and old, and also countless computer RPG soundtracks to infuse the musical aspect with a genuine fantasy feel, and as previously stated, heaps and stacks of tomes on every mythological tale from Gilgamesh to the Aeneid provided a genuine and credible backdrop to the story.

"The album is genuinely a concept album in every aspect, and we will collaborate with some truly gifted artists who are experts in this genre to bring our world to life visually.

"Prepare yourself to be engulfed in a world of enchanting phantasy and songs of swirling magic later this year!"

Songtitles set to appear on the new album incude "The Tempest", "A Stranger I Know", "The Shadow Of The Mithril Mountains" and "A Thousand Towers White".

DRAGONLAND's fourth album, "Astronomy", was

Guitar virtuoso Joe Stump (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR) is working on a new solo album, tentatively due early next year. According to Stump, "most of the guitars for [the follow-up to 2009's 'Virtuostic Vendetta'] are recorded. I spent some of May and most of June holed up tracking guitars in my home studio. All melodies, harmonies, solos, and most of the rhythm guitars are done, leaving just some nylon string stuff and rhythm guitar overdubs to finish.

He added, "This record is heavier, darker, more classically based and technical compared to 'Virtuostic Vendetta'.

"With every record I try to step it up and challenge myself, both playing-wise and compositionally, and I've certainly done that with this upcoming release."

Three-camera video footage of Joe Stump shredding the axe at a guitar showcase at Sam Ash in Cincinnati, Ohio in June 2010 can be viewed below.

Am 2 September 2011 erscheint das neue MAJESTY Doppel-Album "On The Crown", welches auf der ersten CD die größten MAJESTY Hits der bisherigen Bandgeschichte bietet und auf der zweiten CD werden neben den beiden komplett neuen Songs "Own The Crown" und "Metal On The Road" auch viele rare Songs sowie Neueinspielungen sein, welche die meisten Fans noch nie gehört haben. Den neuen MAJESTRY Track "Own The Crown" kann man derzeit via http://www.massacre-records.com/ streamen

Die True Metaller von MESSENGER streamen den Titeltrack ihres Massacre-Records Debüts (VÖ am 9 September 2011) via http://www.massacre-records.com/.

"See You in Hell" Trackliste:

1. Flames Of Revenge 1:06
2. See You In Hell 4:35
3. Make It Right 4:16
4. The Prophecy 4:32
5. Alien Autopsy 5:10
6. Final Thunder 5:47
7. Falconlord 7:55
8. The Dragonships 5:41
9. Lindisfarne 5:24
10. Valkyries 6:50
11. Land Of The Brave 6:32
12. Dr. Stein 4:32

In April, EMI Music launched a program to help out victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN helped out by offering an exclusive studio session for two at their own Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany. This studio time was auctioned off on eBay and the winner was David McGregor from Quebec, Canada, who — along with his friend Martin Machado — purchased this unique experience for 1,317.42 euros.

Last month, BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kürsch and his bandmates went into the group's own studio in Grefrath to re-record their biggest hit "The Bard's Song". During the session McGregor directed the members of BLIND GUARDIAN, giving them exact instructions on how the new version of this 19-year classic should sound. In addition, the fans sang along and laid down the bass parts on the song.

After six hours of intensive studio work, Kürsch declared the recording "finished" and added that "everything worked out amazingly well."

Commented Hansi: "The catastrophe on March 11 in Japan has affected the whole world and the horrible consequences will be felt for years to come. We didn't have to think twice when asked by our former record company EMI if we would like to take part in this fantastic relief project."

Video footage of the studio session can now be seen below (courtesy of the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine).

Proceeds from this and the other EMIfamily4Japan auctions will go to help the survivors of the tragedies in Japan.

The current lineup of WARRANT paid tribute to its former frontman, Jani Lane, last night (Friday, August 12) during the band's concert at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. WARANT singer Robert Mason eulogized Lane on stage by saying, "The guy was loved and he wrote some amazing songs. Truth be told, I love singing them, I've always said that. If we do this one, can we dedicate this entire show to his memory? Let's all do this together… Can we have cigarette lighters and cellphones, can we all bond together?"

ABSURD UNIVERSE, the old-school death/thrash metal band featuring members of SINISTER, will release its debut album, "Habeas Corpus", in October via Italy's Punishment 18 Records. The CD was recorded at Flighing Visch studio in Zaandam, Holland by Gertjan Vis. The cover art was created by Andrey Kroms from Belarus and can be seen below.

"Habeas Corpus" track listing:

01. Violence Revealed
02. Red Water
03. Flesh Collector
04. Under Command
05. Freedomless
06. Ships Of Enslavement
07. A Stone For Your Skull
08. Boiled By Dead Water
09. New World Domination

FANTÔMAS, the eclectic supergroup featuring Mike Patton (FAITH NO MORE, TOMAHAWK, PEEPING TOM), Buzz Osborne (MELVINS), Trevor Dunn (MR. BUNGLE, MADLOVE) and Dale Crover (MELVINS, SHRINEBUILDER), release "The Director's Cut Live: A New Year's Revolution" on DVD and as a standalone audio download on September 6 via Ipecac Recordings.

Filmed at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on December 31, 2008, the DVD features audio commentary by comedian Neil Hamburger.

FANTÔMAS released the studio version of "The Director's Cut" in July of 2001. The album tackles a collection of beloved and eerie film compositions including Nino Rota's "The Godfather", Bernard Herrmann's "Cape Fear" and Jerry Goldsmith's "The Omen (Ave Satani)". Upon its release, Pitchfork said the effort was "as cinematic as its source material" and NME called it "gleeful butchering."

Two songs featured on "The Director's Cut Live: A New Year's Revolution" were not in the original release of "The Director's Cut": Al Green's "Simply Beautiful" and Marc Bolan & T. Rex's "Chariot Choogle".

"The Director's Cut Live: A New Year's Revolution" track listing:

01. The Godfather
02. Night of the Hunter
03. Cape Fear
04. Experiment in Terror
05. One Step Beyond
06. Rosemary's Baby
07. The Devil Rides Out
08. Spider Baby
09. The Omen (Ave Satani)
10. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer
11. Vendetta
12. Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion
13. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
14. Der Golem
15. Charade
16. Intermission
17. Simply Beautiful
18. Chariot Choogle

MISFITS will release their new album, The Devil's Rain, online and in stores this October. The cover art is pictured below:

The Misfits return with their long awaited, first full-length release of all-new, original material in nearly a decade! Rooted in the horror and sci-fi themes their audience craves, The Devil's Rain showcases 16 fiendish, soon-to-be Misfits classics including 'Twilight Of The Dead', 'Dark Shadows', 'Curse Of The Mummy's Hand' and the title track itself, 'The Devil's Rain'.

Produced by Ed Stasium, (whose credits include THE RAMONES' Road To Ruin and Too Tough To Die, as well as the Misfits' 1999 release Famous Monsters), the album showcases a jaw-dropping, two-panel front/back cover painting featuring the rebirth of the band's iconic Fiend mascot in an epic setting rendered by Arthur Suydam (known for his immensely popular work on the Marvel Zombies series, among others).

The packaging, designed to emulate a CD sized gatefold LP, also features some incredible new Misfits portraits shot by the legendary Mick Rock. Rock's imagery (which includes BOWIE, IGGY, and QUEEN to name a few), has become part of the very fabric of rock 'n' roll. Having also served as an on-set photographer for cult-movie classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Rock lends a perfectly suited eye to view the band's surrealistic and highly theatrical persona.

The Devil's Rain is not just a continuation of a historic legacy, it's a total reboot ushering in a new era of terror. In a sense, it's the debut album from the legendary Misfits of this decade. From fans of their classics, to newcomers discovering the band for the very first time, The Devil's Rain sets the bar, and redefines the ferocity and melody that has made the Misfits omnipresent and immortal.

US-based Viking thrash band THE HORDE has inked a deal with Stormspell Records. Their sophmore album, entitled Thy Blackened Reign, is set for a September release.

"We are all very happy to be a part of the Stormspell roster," said guitarist Tim Matthews. "Thy Blackened Reign is our second album, and it's by far our heaviest and most diverse to date. Recording in analog helped get that old school feeling without losing any of the sonic power thatis held in high regard in today's extreme metal scene."

The Horde was formed in 2006 and released their debut album, From Empire To Ashes, via Scenester Credential Records in June of 2008. Their new album was engineered, mixed and mastered by John Hopkins and John Svec at Minstrel Studios in Iowa City, IA using old school technology married with new school production values.

Thy Blackened Reign tracklisting:

'Death Foretold'
'Thy Blackened Reign'
'Hell Beast Of The Pale Frost'
'Odin's Blood'
'Into War We Ride'
'Supertusk'
'War God'
'A Kingdom Cries'
'Vengeance For A King'
'With Death (Comes The Horde)'

Check out The Horde live at Central Illinois Metalfest 2011 below:

Bassist Shane Embury of British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH spoke to Decibel magazine about the status of the recording sessions for the band's next album, tentatively due before the end of the year. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Decibel: How much of the record is done?

Shane Embury: It's pretty much done — it's mastered. Barney's [Greenway, vocals] returned today; he was on holiday in Japan. We got to the situation where we'd recorded 19 songs and thought, "Right, this is enough now," and basically, we're just trying to work out the track listing.

Decibel: It's been quite a long time since you put out "Time Waits For No Slave"; has there been much change in the band as people/musicians since then?

Shane Embury: I think we've always wanted to do that; personally, you have your ups and downs through the years as people, but in a vision sort of way we are all on the same page. Occasionally, we might listen to the odd riff and think, "That's a little bit strange," but it always tends to work out; when you're all looking in the same direction you're not afraid to try things. I think we know each other so well, in our musical backgrounds as well, it's not a surprise if Mitch [Harris, guitar] comes up with something and I don't really question it because I've known him so long as a person. He's been my friend for like 22 years or something; he's not going to throw a real mad curveball at me. It's more a question of "Let's try it." It always works out. Even if I think it's a bit strange, it will work because, collectively, we'll start practicing, just the two, three of us, and when it all comes together with Barney's voice on top it just becomes NAPALM DEATH.

Decibel: 19 songs is a lot to take in.

Shane Embury: I think the main release will have 15 or 16. We'll probably put a different track on the vinyl, maybe an exclusive download track, and we have that thing where we license the album to Japan and we'll probably give them a couple of tracks for the imports. We've actually got a few more songs that we didn't finish that we're gonna use for splits, because I've been trying to work on a split with the MELVINS for a while. That's in the pipeline at some point.

Decibel: Do you have a name for the record yet?

Shane Embury: I've been told by the powers that be that I've got to keep it under wraps for the time being. I think Barney wants to keep it quiet — songtitles, though, we have songs like "Quarantine", "The Wolf I Feed", "Collision Course", "Analysis Paralysis", "Leper Colony": those are some of the songtitles we have at the moment. It will be interesting to hear what people think. I think it's a good continuation from the last record. One of the songs, "Fall on Their Swords", the first couple of riffs on that I wrote 20 years ago and I've finally finished it. It's kind of a strange track, it starts of sort of in the vein of "Utopia Banished", with a really atmospheric SWANS, doomy black metal bit in the middle — not black metal, but that sort of weird chord. Strangely enough, the first two riffs on that, I have been playing about with for years. For me it's a good step on from the last record. I've played them back-to-back and, I dunno, it's just evolved in its own course. In the time between albums you are always conscious about making another album and not wanting to repeat yourself. And you're always scared that you might.

Decibel: When will it be out?

Shane Embury: I'm hoping it will be out before the end of this year, but I don't know if it will. We were talking about November-ish, but I don't know, it's a bit of a weird time. That's when I imagine it's going to come out, but it might even be held on 'til next year. Hopefully, though, it will be October/November. I originally wanted to do 14 or 15 songs and we ended up doing 19 and I thought, "Fuck, what do we do?" And Mitch had a lot of stuff and we were coming up with stuff — we could have probably have done a double album, but that would have been crazy. No, it's encouraging that we're confident that we're doing this record and we've already got ideas for another album. That's obviously encouraging because, obviously, we've been about for a number of years and ideas still seem to be flowing. It's positive.

Despite all the KISS-related merchandise and marketing tie-ins, guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley tells Spinner.com that he never worries the band name is branded on too much stuff.

"It's misleading because of the volume of things we have, that KISS is just a schlock house," Stanley says. "The truth of the matter is, we have pride in everything we do. At the core this is a rock 'n' roll band, but we don't put our name on anything that we don't believe in, or that the fans don't believe in.

"People sometimes say, why do you have things like KISS sleeping bags? Because a fan asked for it. We're not great merchandisers — we're great listeners. We give the fans what they want. If that's a crime, I'm ready for my trial."

When asked what makes the KISS brand endure like it does, Stanley tells Spinner.com, "KISS is a timeless truth. It was true 100 years ago and it will be true 100 years from today. It's all about self-empowerment, it's about believing in yourself and believing that the only thing in the way of you and your dreams is hard work. We believe a great work ethic will pretty much get you wherever you want to go."

He adds, "KISS will outlive me, for sure. What we've done is create a way of thinking, an ideal that hopefully will go on beyond me and the other guys in the band because the idea is bigger than any individual."

According to the Los Angeles Times, authorities on Friday were trying to determine why former WARRANT singer Jani Lane was at a Woodland Hills, California motel when he died Thursday.

Lane has a home in Redondo Beach, approximately 27 miles south of the location where he was found, so it is unclear exactly why he was at the Ventura Boulevard motel, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the case. Alcohol and prescription drugs were found in the motel room, the sources said, but there was no indication he intentionally took his own life.

The source spoke to the Los Angeles Times on the condition of anonymity because the case is still under investigation.

An autopsy performed Friday on Lane proved inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter says it may take seven or eight weeks to finalize the cause of death.

Lane was pronounced dead by Fire Department personnel who responded to a call shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the Comfort Inn in the 20100 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, California, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

"He was discovered unresponsive," said Winter.

Lane's family will convene Sunday for a private memorial service, the singer's manager and longtime friend Obi Steinman told the Associated Press. A public memorial with performances by fellow metal rock bands including GREAT WHITE and L.A. GUNS will be held in Hollywood on August 24 at a venue to be announced later, he said.

Jani is survived by his wife, Kimberly; a brother, Eric; three sisters, Marcine Williams, Michelle Robinson and Victoria Oswald; a daughter from his first marriage, Taylar Lane; a daughter from his second marriage, Madison Lane; and two stepdaughters, Ryan and Brittany.

Das Debütalbum 'Human Maze' der italienischen Gothic Metaller MY BLACK LIGHT wird von Massacre Records am 23. September 2011 in die Läden gehievt.

'Human Maze' Tracklist:

1. Energy Core 1:12
2. Being Human 4:19
3. Detriny 4:14
4. The Abstainer 4:47
5. Noise For Sale 5:32
6. Inner World 5:14
7. Deadline 4:06
8. A Lie For Eternity 5:08
9. Ideal 0:49
10. Guiding Light 5:39
11. Ti Sento 3:59
12. Unbreak My Heart 3:49

Black Bards verkünden mit Stolz das Weltweite Signing der Death/Thrash Newcomer BLEEDING RED !

Die Band dazu: "Wir freuen uns sehr über die Zusammenarbeit mit Black Bards! Bereits in den Vorgesprächen haben wir gemerkt, dass wir auf der selben Wellenlänge funken. Wir sind natürlich sehr froh, dass wir nun endlich die Möglichkeit haben, unseren Fans ein Full-Length Album präsentieren zu können. Die Vorproduktion steht bereits, im September geht es dann ins Studio um das Material einzuspielen. Der Release ist dann im Frühjahr 2012 geplant. Wie die Scheibe heißen wird verraten wir allerdings noch noch nicht."

Die Ture Metaller von MESSENGER haben bei Massacre-Records unterschrieben und werden ihr neues Album "See you in Hell" am 9 September 2011 veröffentlichen.

"See You in Hell" Trackliste:

1. Flames Of Revenge 1:06
2. See You In Hell 4:35
3. Make It Right 4:16
4. The Prophecy 4:32
5. Alien Autopsy 5:10
6. Final Thunder 5:47
7. Falconlord 7:55
8. The Dragonships 5:41
9. Lindisfarne 5:24
10. Valkyries 6:50
11. Land Of The Brave 6:32
12. Dr. Stein 4:32

Croatian female fronted doom/gothic metallers ASHES YOU LEAVE have signed a worldwide management deal with Rock N Growl.

Says the band: "We are proud to announce that from now on we will be represented by Rock N Growl promotion and management agency. We are really happy to have this renowned German agency as a partner. I would like to take this opportunity to send our regards to Axel and the whole Rock N Growl team for the demonstrated support and confidence in the band!"

Axel, Rock N Growl states: "It's great to have this talented pro band now in my roster! We are working now together to climb the next step. “

Band lineup:

Giada "Jada" Etro - vocals
Berislav "Bero" Poje - vocals & lead guitar
Matija Rempesic - guitar
Marta Batinic - violin
Luka Petrovic - bass guitar
Armando Floricic- drums

The band is currently working on their sixth album, The Cure For Happiness. Now it’s time to rewrite the history as AYL is ready to record the successor to Songs of the Lost. The band’s sixth album, The Cure for Happiness, is scheduled for a tentative release in the first quarter of 2012. The record will see the enchanting Ms. Giada “Jade” Etro behind the microphone. This mesmerizing and amazingly talented singer comes from Italy and this will be her first release as a lead singer.

According to TMZ.com, former QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE/KYUSS and current KYUSS LIVES! bassist Nick Oliveri has been charged with four felonies and faces up to 15 years in prison stemming from his arrest last month in Hollywood after a five-hour standoff with police.

Nick Oliveri was booked on July 12 on felony domestic violence. The police was called to the scene by Oliveri's neighbor who reported a "disturbance" between the 39-year-old rocker and his girlfriend. A standoff between a SWAT team and Nick ensued before Oliveri finally agreed to let his girlfriend exit the duplex.

Oliveri was taken into custody about 10:30 p.m. after Los Angeles police officers knocked down his front door.

Nick's girlfriend reportedly told police Oliveri hit her during an argument the day before and she had returned to collect her stuff so she could move out.

During a search of Nick's home on Hobart Boulevard, cops reportedly found a fully loaded high-powered rifle, cocaine and methamphetamines..

Oliveri is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Oliveri was forced to miss several KYUSS LIVES! shows in Europe earlier this month due to his legal troubles. His temporary replacement was Scott Reeder (GOATSNAKE, THE OBSESSED, KYUSS).

Gran Canaria, Spain-based death metal act APOSTLES OF PERVERSION have issued their first official release. The EP, entitled Meeting Of Atrocities, is available through Pathologically Explicit Recordings, and contains five new songs and three songs from their 2006 demo.

The band produced their first demo, Intracranial Hypertension, in 2006. This demo brought the band new opportunities to play some important shows with bands like AVULSED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, NAPALM DEATH, DESTRUCTION, WORMED and others.