InsideOut Music, the leading label for progressive music, has announced the signing of Norway's LEPROUS to a worldwide deal.

Commented the band: "We're all very happy… no, delighted... no, enthusiastic…, no THRILLED to be a part of the InsideOut/Century Media family! InsideOut has always been the label we've considered the most suitable for our music, so this is really a dream come true for us! We're ready to take LEPROUS to new heights in 2011, and the signing with InsideOut/Century Media is just the first step."

LEPROUS is a young five-piece band (ages range from 19 to 25 years) hailing from the metal town of Notodden, Norway, also home to such bands as EMPEROR, ZYKLON, IHSAHN, PECCATUM, etc. Originally founded in 2001, they've gone through a few lineup changes and now consist of Einar Solberg (synth/vocals), Tor Oddmund Suhrke (guitar), Rein Blomquist (bass, also in ABOVE SYMMETRY), Øystein Landsverk (guitar) and Tobias Ørnes Andersen (drums).

The music of LEPROUS is not easy to classify. Various genres are included, from progressive rock, to jazz, to pure metal and the vocals alternate between clean singing and growling, adding heaviness to the music. Instead of drawing parallels to this or that, bands such as OPETH, KING CRIMSON, PORCUPINE TREE, THE MARS VOLTA, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and SHINING (Norway) should be regarded more as songwriting influences than as comparisons. It's all in the eye (or in this case, the ear) of the beholder…

LEPROUS has already made itself visible on the Norwegian prog and metal scene by releasing the self-financed full length demo CD "Aeolia" in 2007 and by making it to the finals of the Norwegian Rock Championship twice. In May of 2009, LEPROUS released its first real album, "Tall Poppy Syndrome", via American label Sensory Records and that effort quickly became somewhat of an underground cult release, heralded as the best 2009 prog metal CD by many media people.

Backed by new management/booking agency Intromental Worldwide, LEPROUS spent 2009/2010 promoting the album's release with numerous shows throughout Scandinavia, Europe and USA, as well as finally a main support slot for the fall 2010 European tour of Swedish symphonic/orchestral metal band THERION, taking them through no less than 17 countries in 30 days.

In addition to performing with their own band, the members of LEPROUS are currently also acting as the session/live band of solo artist IHSAHN, also known as the front figure of the legendary black metal band EMPEROR.

LEPROUS is currently busy with studio work for its upcoming, as-yet-untitled new album, to be released after the summer via InsideOutMusic.

"Aslimu!!! - All Slain Those Who Brought Down Our Highly Respected Symbols To The Lower Status Of The Barren Earth", a brand new song from Dutch extreme metallers THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT, can be streamed using the player below.

Commented guitarist/vocalist Michiel Dekker: "The lyrical theme of this track is mainly based on Lawrence Wright's book 'The Looming Tower'. Besides that I was inspired by the Dua-e-Sanam-e-Quraish curse and the events around the Muslim Brotherhood.

"This is a rare track which we recorded to let the people know what we are doing.

"Writing a THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT song costs a lot of time, because of all the lyrical research and musical fine-tuning. There is a huge change that the final album track will be totally different from this one, but that is how we work.

"The lyrics of this song were written during the summer/autumn of 2010 and vocals were recorded in the X-mass holiday of the same year. To our surprise, the subject became extremely relevant because of the turmoil in the Middle East region. Everybody who watched the speech of the Libyan Bedouin tent revolutionary on Al-Jazeera will understand that we MUST write a track about Muammar Gaddafi."

Norwegian metallers INSENSE will release their fourth album, "Burn In Beautiful Fire", on April 8 via Indie Recordings.

IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén, who manages INSENSE, stated about the latter act, "The first time I heard them, I wanted more. They have this amazing ability to sound extreme yet poised, dark yet beautiful, hardcore yet soft, technical yet simplistic, all without falling into the 'pathetic' trap. They are an extreme metal band that's comfortable to listen to. They're difficult to categorize that way."

"Burn In Beautiful Fire" track listing:

01. Death For Me, Death For You
02. Surviving Self Resentment
03. Alone In A Crowd
04. Overrated
05. Social Woes
06. Burn In Beautiful Fire
07. Envy The Dead
08. Perversion
09. Nothing to Live For
10. High On Rejection

INSENSE's third album, "The Silent Epidemic", was released in April 2007 in Norway via Black Balloon Records (May 2007 in the U.S. via Candlelight Records). The CD was mixed by Daniel Bergstrand and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm.

INSENSE's sophomore album, "Soothing Torture", came out in January 2005 via Black Balloon. The follow-up to 2002's "Insense" (This Dark Reign) was recorded between December 2003 and February 2004 at Caliban Studios and Musikkloftet in Oslo, Norway.

INSENSE is:

Tommy Hjelm - Guitar, Vocals
Martin Rygge - Guitar
Ola S. Hana - Bass
Truls Haugen - Drums

Scottish rock singer Doogie White (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RAINBOW, CORNERSTONE, TANK) makes a guest appearance on the second studio album from Polish hard rockers KRUK, due on June 6 via Metal Mind Productions. White contributes his vocals to a track called "In Reverie".

KRUK members Piotrek Brzychcy, Tomek Wisniewski and Krzysztof Walczyk first met White in 2005 when they shared the stage with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN in Katowice. "We were extremely happy that, after the gig, we could give each other high five, that we could make some commemorative photos," Piotrek says. "Now [Doogie] sings in our song, he sings our lyrics... on our album. It's hard to believe!"

He adds, "I remember one of my first conversations with Krzysiek Walczyk, when we expressed our utmost delight over RAINBOW's 'Strangers in Us All'. It was back when we were just starting to form KRUK and we had never dreamed that we would ever have the honor of cooperating with Doogie White. We adored White for having set new standards in the PURPLE-RAINBOW family with the way he sang with Blackmore.

"What he recorded for 'In Reverie' is to our utmost satisfaction because you can hear passion and joy in every single note. I don't think there's a more happy band today in the entire universe than us!"

Finnish metallers AMORPHIS have set "The Beginning Of Times" as the title of their new album, due at the end of May via Nuclear Blast Records. A single, "You I Need", will precede the full-length CD in April.

"The Beginning Of Times" is described as "the most challenging AMORPHIS album so far in terms of both music and lyrics." Its central character is the iconic hero of Finnish mythology, Väinämöinen, whose tale has been masterfully retold by lyricist Pekka Kainulainen.

"The Beginning Of Times" was produced by the band; vocals were recorded under the guidance of Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT) in his home studio in Kuopio. Like its predecessors, the album was mixed by Mikko Karmila. Its cover artwork shows Travis Smith's magnificent interpretation of the mythological birth of the world from a goldeneye's egg.

"The Beginning Of Times" track listing:

01. Battle For Light
02. Mermaid
03. My Enemy
04. You I Need
05. Song Of The Sage
06. Three Words
07. Reformation
08. Soothsayer
09. On A Stranded Shore
10. Escape
11. Crack In A Stone
12. Beginning Of Time
13. Heart's Song (digipack bonus track)

In June, AMORPHIS will embark on the extensive "The Beginning Of Times" tour, which is scheduled to continue through 2012.

NINE INCH NAILS main man Trent Reznor and collaborator Atticus Ross were honored in the "Best Original Score" category at the 83rd annual Academy Awards on Sunday (February 27) for their work on "The Social Network".

"Wow. Is this really happening?" Reznor asked during his acceptance speech. "When we finished work on 'The Social Network', we were very proud of our work and happy to just be involved in this film, and to be standing up here in this company is humbling and flattering beyond words."

Once backstage, Reznor added, "A side of my music with NINE INCH NAILS was going instrumental so it was not a huge leap or stretch to try [scoring a movie]. The biggest challenge was working with a picture. [Director] David Fincher knew exactly what he wanted. It was one of the best experiences of my life from start to finish.

Reznor added, "[Inception] composer, Hans Zimmer, who I've been battling at awards shows all year, told me, 'In a lot of ways, I hope you win because it's helped open up the field a bit for texture of what film scores can be.' "

Reznor and Ross's score for "The Social Network" won a Golden Globe award last month.

Reznor told Movieline.com that he did not see an Oscar nomination as a certainty, saying, "We didn't go into this project with any expectations of any kind of award recognition. The weight of the Oscar — we certainly didn't think that we were guaranteed credit. We had our fingers crossed but it was still a very nervous morning."

Reznor added that when he was a kid growing up with dreams of being a musician, the thought of being nominated for an Academy Award never occurred to him. He explained, "In fact that never crossed my mind until a few months ago when the film came out. The whole experience of working on the film — it was unexpected to have that opportunity . . . It feels great to think that the Academy recognized it because it is not a traditional score. I'm very flattered that they've taken notice of it. It means a lot to me."

"The Social Network" received a total of eight nods, including "Best Picture", "Best Director", "Best Actor" and "Best Adapted Screenplay".

Reznor and Ross's next film score is for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", also from "The Social Network" director David Fincher.

Florida death metallers SIX FEET UNDER have issued the following update:

"Just wanted to give you a SIX FEET UNDER band update and let you all know that we would like to announce our good friend Rob Arnold [CHIMAIRA] will be joining SIX FEET UNDER as second rhythm guitarist for upcoming touring duties, as well as collaborating on the new CD. "

Commented SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes: "I couldn't be happier about the new songs and lineup!

"Rob and myself have been collaborating on new songs along with the band's new drummer, Kevin Talley [DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA], for the past few months.

"We are all feeling really excited about the band's future, and the raw intensity of the songs that we have created together so far. This is the heaviest most exciting material that I've worked on since 'The Bleeding' [CANNIBAL CORPSE's 1994 album], and I'm stoked that Rob will be helping out creating this CD with us! We've all known each other for a while and we're really looking forward to continue writing the new CD and future tours. We are committed to taking SIX FEET UNDER to the next level of brutality!"

Added Arnold: "It's been an amazing honor and opportunity to have been called upon by one of my biggest idols, Chris Barnes!!

"SIX FEET UNDER and the Barnes-era CANNIBAL [CORPSE] stuff had enormous effects on me as a young musician, and still do to this day.

"In 1996, I was a kid in the front row screaming my head off to 'Lycanthropy' and 'Torn to the Bone'... And now here I am, being asked to play the songs on stage with the band! Dreams do come true!!! And the stuff we've been writing absolutely RIPS! Watch out!!"

Finnish melodic metallers MACHINE MEN have issued the following update:

"Things have been quiet for the past two years. During this time we have gone through many changes and we have been thinking about the future of the band. Unfortunately, we feel that the challenges as a band would be too hard to overcome. After long conversations we have decided that the story of MACHINE MEN ends here. It's better to end what we started together without bitterness than to make a new album we couldn't put our hearts and souls into. We wouldn't be the five guys that stuck together no matter what. We would be something else, not MACHINE MEN.

"This band has been the centre of our lives for over a decade. During these years we have experienced great and unforgettable moments on the road (and off).

"The thanks goes to all the people who have supported us and have come to see our gigs. It hasn't been an easy ride but yet we have taken all the shit with our heads held high. After all, we are from Suolahti, for fuck's sake!

"Even though it's sad, we end this with smiles on our faces and with loads of good memories to share over a pint.

"The story of the band ends here but we'll continue to make music as individuals.

"We are grateful to so many people but most of all we would like to thank our fans - without you we would have been nothing!"

Reactivated Quebec, Canada-based technical death metal band GORGUTS recently entered the studio to begin pre-production on their new album for a tentative late 2011 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The group's current lineup features genre heavyweights John Longstreth (drums; DIM MAK, ORIGIN, THE RED CHORD, SKINLESS, POSSESSION, ANGELCORPSE), Colin Marston (bass; DYSRHYTHMIA, BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS, BYLA, KRALLICE, INDRICOTHERE) and Kevin Hufnagel (guitar; DYSRHYTHMIA, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, BYLA, EUCLID STREET, THE FIFTH SEASON, GREY DIVISION BLUE) alongside guitarist/vocalist Luc Lemay.

Lemay has issued the following update on the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's new CD:

"Just a few words to let you know where we are with the songwriting of the new album. We got together at the end of January to finish up the last songs to complete the album. Colin and Kevin have contributed to the album with a song each. Amazingly well composed, their songs suit the GORGUTS aesthetic wonderfully.

"The album will have a total of nine songs, including one instrumental piece for string orchestra composed by me. [It] is going to be over one hour long. It still very brutal but darkly, ambient and progressive as well.

"The album main concept is going to be a musical journey that will talk about the wonders of Tibet as well as the dramatic fate they've been going through for over 50 years now.

"I'm hard at work on the lyrics as I'm writing this update.

"For this album, I wanted to have all the music finished first before writing any lyrics. This way, having all the musical canvas done I can now concentrate on the story-telling aspect.

"When everything will be ready we're going to record the album along with my longtime friend and producer Pierre Remillard at his Wild Studio in Quebec.

"Since we're still discussing with a label, we can't tell you a street date yet for the release of the album but we're shooting for this summer. In the meantime, you can enjoy for the first time this new song [see below] taken from one of our pre-production session which was recorded by Colin at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves Studio in Queens, New York.

"The wait is almost over for us to unleash this new beast.

Possum of Revolver TV conducted an interview with former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach at this past Thursday's (February 24) press conference at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles to announce the details of the third annual Revolver Golden Gods awards show. You can now watch the chat below.

On his forthcoming solo album:

Bach: "It's very much along the lines of SKID ROW 'Slave To The Grind'. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, I'm just trying to put stuff in your iPod that fits with the other stuff."

On whether he has any interest in a SKID ROW reunion with him on vocals:

Bach: "No, because I don't base my life in 2011 on, like, 30 years ago. And I also... I was kicked out of that band. Like, if you worked at Pizza Hut and you got fired, would you be knocking on the door of the Pizza Hut, 'Please let me back in!!' You'd be, like, 'Fuck Pizza Hut! Fuck you!' I'd be, like, 'Fuck you! You wanna fucking kick me out? Go fuck yourself!' [Laughs] I'm always perplexed by that. You don't want me to sing in your band? Kiss my fucking ass! Don't hurt yourself finding someone that can. [Laughs]"

Bach has just entered a Los Angeles studio with his new, young, virtuosic guitarist Nick Sterling and producer Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, SHINEDOWN, ATREYU, FILTER) to fine-tune the material that will appear on his next CD, tentatively due this summer via the Italian label Frontiers Records.

First let me tell you about our second visit to Russia:

I am looking so much forward to come to Moscow again really, cause last time at Moscow Doom Festival it was one of the
biggest and greatest experiences i have ever had in my entire life, the response there was really amazing, all the people
there was really nice and friendly so i have only good things to say about Russia and Moscow in general. And to see the red
square again is always special as a tourist.

About the latest news i can tell you that we have just finished the first part of mixing the new album, and i can tell you
it sounds fantastic. the next step is to write the last two songs finish and again hit a studio to record so we can release
sometime this year.

Line up has changed since last time in Moscow, it is only me that is left from that period, i have got Brain back on bass
from the old albums and that is really nice, he is like a brother to me,
On guitar i have Rune he helped us at our European tour back in 2008 and has stayed since on the other guitar we got a
Swedish guy named Mattias he is so new that he don't now yet he is permanent member of Saturnus but he will be hehe.
On Drums we got Henrik Glass back again he was the one that recorded the drums for Murky Waters on Veronika Album, he is
also permanent now, so the line-up is finally complete, we just need a keyboard player but we are not in hurry there, we
got Rune who plays keyboard to and we record it to the hardisc recorder.

The show in Moscow will hopefully make as good expression on the others in the band as the firs show did to me, but i am
sure it will the audience in Russia is just amazing

Thank You

Thomas A.G.
Saturnus

MAGENTA HARVEST, the Finnish death metal band featuring current and former members of FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN, MYGRAIN and ...AND OCEANS, released its debut EP, "A Familiar Room", on February 18. The four tracks — "Spawn Of Neglect", "Sermon", "Killing Sign" and "A Familiar Room" — can now be streamed below.

MAGENTA HARVEST was formed in 2005 as a two-man project featuring Timo Kontio (HAVOC UNIT, ...AND OCEANS) on guitar and Janne Manninen (MYGRAIN, ...AND OCEANS) on drums. In 2009, second guitarist Timo Hanhikangas (TOTAL VOMIT EXPERIENCE) and bassist Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) joined the band. Another year went by before Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) agreed to front the group.

MAGENTA HARVEST states: "[Lillmåns' addition to the band] was easy because we had discussed about this with Mathias already a few years earlier, but the decision wasn't that clear at first because Mathias were quite busy with his other musical activities and we thought also that there was no need for any singer before we had the rest of band in order and also some stuff ready to work with.

"When Mathias joined the band he actually came directly to the studio. Of course he didn't have any lyrics ready then, but luckily we got help from Jan (ex-FINNTROLL).

"Now at this point when the demo is ready, we can honestly say that this isn't a project anymore but a real band."

MAGENTA HARVEST is:

* Timo Hanhikangas (TOTAL VOMIT EXPERIENCE) - Guitar
* Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) - Bass
* Timo Kontio (HAVOC UNIT, ...AND OCEANS) - Guitar
* Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) - Vocals
* Janne Manninen (MYGRAIN, ...AND OCEANS) - Drums

VINTERSORG, the Swedish folk metal led by BORKNAGAR frontman Andreas Hedlund (a.k.a. Vintersorg), will release its eighth album, "Jordpuls" (English translation: "Earth's Pulse"), on March 25 via Napalm Records.

According to a press release, "The unrelenting visionary allows this particular album to glimpse back at the past. The result is an imposing symbiosis of traditional and modern elements taken from the Swedes' characteristic sound cosmos. Folk metal anthems meet icy black metal passages and Nordic melodies. The mix delivers multifaceted and memorable songs that carry the mastermind's unique signature.

"The album is completely sung in Swedish and its lyrics borrow from VINTERSORG's past themes: Revolving around man and nature, unique phenomena in the wild, and philosophical observations. Vintersorg's unmistakable and powerful vocals — from clean to extreme — reign over each track with resounding force, while his production prowess gives the songs a crystal-clear and potent sound. 'Jordpuls' impressively combines tradition with modernism, while showcasing the best of the Swedish visionary."

"Jordpuls" track listing:

01. Världsalltets Fanfar
02. Klippor Och Skär
03. Till Dånet Av Forsar Och Fall
04. Mörk Nebulosa
05. Stjärndyrkan
06. Skogen Sover
07. Vindögat
08. Palissader
09. Eld Och Lågor

"Världsalltets Fanfar" audio sample:

STAM1NA was honored in the "Metal Album Of The Year" and "Band Of The Year" categories at this year's Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent), which was held last night (Saturday, February 26) at Barona Areena in Espoo, Finland. Meanwhile, APOCALYPTICA won the "Export" award athe annual event, which was televised on Finnish TV channel YLE TV2.

"Metal Album Of The Year" nominees were as follows:

* APOCALYPTICA - 7th Symphony
* HIM - Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice
* MOKOMA - Sydänjuuret
* STAM1NA - Viimeinen Atlantis

Video footage of New Jersey progressive metal masters SYMPHONY X performing a brand new song, "End Of Innocence", on February 25, 2011 at LKA Longhorn in Stuttgart, Germany can be viewed below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Of Sins and Shadows
02. Domination
03. Serpent's Kiss
04. End Of Innocence
05. Paradise Lost
06. Inferno (Unleash the Fire)
07. Smoke and Mirrors
08. Dehumanized
09. Set The World On Fire (The Lie of Lies)

Encore:

10. Sea Of Lies

Musical visionary Jonathan Chunglo (DARKENED DREAMS, RED TEAR MEMORY) and Antony Hämäläinen (NIGHTRAGE, SLAVES FOR SCORES, BURN YOUR HALO) are collaborating on a new Arizona-based progressive melodic death and black metal band called NERVOSIA. The group's musical style is described as "a blending of different genres but keeping a consistent theme throughout...METAL! Influences range from anything of classical contemporary origins to the most extreme of death and black metal and everything in between."

NERVOSIA, which features additional contributions from VEHEMENCE guitarist Jacob Green, is currently recording its debut EP, "The Plague Of Humanity", at Arcane Digital Recording studio (EXHUMED, PHOBIA, LANDMINE MARATHON). Songtitles set to appear on the effort are "Redemption" and "Apathy's Throne".

Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH were rejoined by their former drummer Derek Kerswill for an appearance at a benefit concert for their ex-bass player Chris "Rover" Rybicki, who tragically lost his life at the hands of an alleged drunk driver this past September. The show took place on February 19 at Saint Michaels Hall in Lynn, Massachusetts and featured a performance by another one of Rover's former bands, NO CHOICE, as well as sets by SCREAMS OF ERIDA and GASKET. All proceeds went directly to the Rybicki family.

Commented UNEARTH: "In an effort to keep the focus on recording our new album and to show everyone that we are still indeed friends with our former drummer Derek Kerswill and that our split was solely because of 'creative differences,' we decided that he is the best fit to play drums for us at Roverfest.

"Both the band and Derek agree that this was the best way to end our chapter together while also paying tribute to our fallen friend and former bassist Chris 'Rover' Rybicki. So if you [attended] the show at St. Michaels Hall in Lynn, you [got] a chance to see our last gig with Kerswill."

Rybicki passed away on September 20, 2010 from injuries sustained in an accident when the scooter he was riding on was hit by an allegedly drunk woman.

Rybicki was a member of UNEARTH from 1998 to 2002. He played on the band's first two EPs — "Above The Fall Of Man" (1999) and "Endless" (2002) — as well as the group's full-length debut, "The Stings Of Conscience" (2001).

UNEARTH previously stated about Rybicki, "Not only was Rover a talented musician, but he was also one of the funniest dudes you would ever know. His wit, dark humor and don't-give-a-fuck attitude made him a unique person that we all loved having in our lives. His memory will live on amongst his family and friends with the countless stories of Rover being Rover. He will be sorely and forever missed."

Newly reformed British melodic rockers STAMPEDE will release their new single, "Having Fun", on April 11. The track comes from the band's forthcoming studio album, "A Sudden Impulse", which will arrive on May 9 via Grind That Axe/Rock Candy Records.

"Having Fun", which will be available in digital format only, will be STAMPEDE's first single in twenty-eight years. It follows previous singles "The Other Side" (1983) from the studio album "Hurricane Town", and "Days of Wine And Roses" (1982), which were released by Polydor Records and received considerable airplay on BBC Radio, Capital Radio and across Europe and Japan.

STAMPEDE has also released the first of three promotional videos to give fans a taste of their new material. The clips feature guitarist Rob Wolverson, and were recorded during part of the schedule when Laurence Archer became unavailable due to personal commitments. Watch the first video, "Shame On You", below.

Norwegian metallers COMMUNIC have issued the following update:

"We have completed the work in studio, the new album is ready, and the result is simply amazing. Dan Swanö [EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE] is currently putting the final touch on the mastering [at Unisound studios in Örebro, Sweden] and we are one step closer to get this album out there. Happy times."

COMMUNIC frontman Oddleif Stensland previously stated about the group's new CD: "I am really excited about this new material that we have put together for this new album. I think the heaviness of these songs will surprise many of you, and the overall feeling of it, is way darker this time. The songs are shorter, more in your face and may seem straightforward at first, but there are many twists and turns that will just creep under your skin. This album is DEEP!

"I know that many of you have been waiting for this album for a long time already, but everything has its time, and the time is now. Never before have I left so much of 'myself' in our songs — never before has the price been so high — this album will be really special."

Swiss hard rock legends KROKUS have made a special limited-edition CD/DVD version of their latest album, "Hoodoo", available via the SonyMusicDigital.com web site. Limited to 500 units worldwide, the set contains:

* "Hoodoo" CD
* "Krokus Live in Berne" featuring over 43 minutes of live footage and documentary
* KROKUS belt buckle made of high-quality fine pewter (with a polished, brushed, black patinated surface)

Packaged in a beautiful black cardboard container with the KROKUS logo embossed on the lid.

"Hoodoo" was certified platinum in the band's home country for sales in excess of 30,000 copies. Sony Music presented the bandmembers with their gold and platinum plaques prior to the first concert of the "Hoodoo Tour" on April 30, 2010 in Zuchwil.

"Hoodoo", which entered the Swiss chart at No. 1 in its first week of release, was made available in the U.S. on May 25 via SonyMusic Independent Network (SIN). The CD was produced by bassist and founding member Chris Von Rohr and was recorded by Dennis Ward (who previously worked on KROKUS' "Hellraiser" album) at House of Music Studios in Winterbach, Germany, with additional recordings at Pink Bild and Ton (engineered by ex-KROKUS member Jürg Naegeli) in Solothurn, Switzerland and Henson Studios, Los Angeles. Photography, artwork and graphic design was handled by Martin Häusler.

Partnered with Ariola and Arista, KROKUS became an international success and ran up the charts with their hit albums "Metal Rendez-Vous" (1980), "Hardware" (1981), "One Vice At A Time" (1982), "Headhunter" (1983), "The Blitz" (1984) and "Change Of Address" (1986).

SLAYER has canceled its appearance at the Sydney, Australia stop of the Soundwave festival after the band's basist/vocalist Tom Araya was admitted to the hospital where he will be kept overnight. The Sydney appearance on Sunday, February 27 would have marked SLAYER's second show on the annual festival tour. No further details are currently available regarding Araya's condition or the exact nature of his ailment.

SLAYER has recruited Gary Holt from veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS to be SLAYER's guest guitarist, temporary filling in for Jeff Hanneman who is currently recovering from surgery. Holt is accompanying Tom Araya (bass, vocals), Kerry King (guitar) and Dave Lombardo (drums) on their five-date Australian Soundwave Festival tour, which kicked off today (Saturday, February 26) in Brisbane.

The first low-quality fan-filmed footage of the Brisbane performance can be viewed below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. World Painted Blood
02. Hate Worldwide
03. War Ensemble
04. Postmortem
05. Payback
06. Hallowed Point
07. Americon
08. Mandatory Suicide
09. Temptation
10. South Of Heaven
11. Raining Blood
12. Black Magic
13. Angel Of Death

Danish extreme metallers CORPUS MORTALE recently enteredAntfarm Studio in Århus, Denmark with producer Jacob Olsen (PANZERCHRIST) to begin recording their third album for a late 2011 release.

Commented the band: "10 [new] songs [were] nailed by [drummer] Rasmus [Schmidt]. In a few days we'll start tracking guitars at the home studio. Vocal sessions are planned for late March or early April. We'll be back soon with some more info on the songs themselves."

Relapse Records has announced the signing of Japan's COFFINS. The band is currently writing material for its fourth full-length album, to be recorded later in the year.

COFFINS is a three-piece death/doom band from Tokyo that formed in 1996 and has previously issued three full-length albums and numerous split releases.

COFFINS will hit the road in Europe for the first time this April alongside SOURVEIN and AGUIRRE as part of the "Doom Over Europe" tour. The trek will include an appearance at the sold-out Roadburn festival in Tilburg, Netherlands on April 17.

Oulu, Finland-based death metallers E-XPLOSIVES have just recorded their first two tracks of "relentless, punishing, hammering old-school death metal assault," hoping to find a singer for the group. The band plans to record more music later in the year, this time in a professional studio.

According to a press release, E-XPLOSIVES was formed during the summer of 2010 when "an unholy union of seasoned death metal warriors" was assembled by guitarists Risto "Crazy" Ruuth and Jukka "Banjo" Valppu. drummer Teemu "Blastbeat Menace" Hautaniemi was asked to join and brought bassist Sami "Coma" Kettunen along to the rehearsals.

E-XPLOSIVES is:

Jukka "Banjo" Valppu (ex-MYTHOS) - Guitar
Risto "Crazy" Ruuth (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) - Lead Guitar
Sami "Coma" Kettunen (WARCEREMONY) - Bass
Teemu "Blastbeat Menace" Hautaniemi (ex-MYTHOS) - Drums