We are a bit sorry to report that the Virus album has been somewhat delayed due to artwork and master issues. 99% of the problems are now resolved though and it only makes for a better album in the end. New release date is sometime during February, exact date to be announced later. And to all of you who have preordered the album; your copies wil be mailed out as soon as they're back from print, which means if you preorder the album you will most probably get it BEFORE the release date (i.e. anyone else not preordering). In other words, you will be the envy of your neighbourhood.

We also thought it might be a good idea to let the agent out again, now that the master is 100% finished. N-joy!

DEATH's seventh and final album, "The Sound Of Perseverance", will be reissued on February 15, 2011 in North America (February 21 internationally) via Relapse Records. The first in a series of official DEATH reissues slated for 2011, "The Sound Of Perseverance" has been remastered and expanded to include a second disc of previously unreleased demo material. The reissue will also include enhanced artwork and liner notes from the original cover artist, Travis Smith, as well as liner notes from DEATH guitarist Shannon Hamm and never-before-seen photographs from "The Sound Of Perseverance" era. A special deluxe version of the "The Sound Of Perseverance" reissue will also be made available exclusively via Relapse mailorder and digitally via iTunes. The deluxe version will include a third bonus disc of unreleased material. Additional reissue details, including pre-order options, will be announced shortly.

Australian extreme thrash metal band TRUTH CORRODED will release its new album, "Worship The Bled", in early 2011. The CD was recorded between July and September 2010 and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY). Drums on the album were laid down by Kevin Talley (DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA), who "really added a great intensity to our new songs — offering his distinctive style, while also honing in on our sound and capturing the feel of our influences," according to bassist Greg Shaw. "It has taken the band to the next level, and built on the intensity of our last album. The continued involvement of Jonas has consolidated the sound, and aside from his great skill as an engineer, he has offered some awesome shred to the album's opening song, 'Knives Of The Betrayed'."

The "Worship The Bled" cover artwork was created by Björn Goosses of Killustrations, who has previously worked with such bands as DEW-SCENTED, ZYKLON, SODOM, NORTHER, ABORTED and ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET. Shaw states, "Killustrations have created some incredible album covers, and we really felt that Björn could capture the imagery we were looking for. The artwork conveys the message behind the album title — how the worship of monotheistic religion, political and economic ideologies and the waging of war have bled modern civilization. We gave Killustrations the idea and that was the image created — it is confronting and communicates the title of the album."

"Worship The Bled" track listing:

01. Knives Of The Betrayed (feat. Jonas Kjellgren)
02. Hunt All Heroes
03. Pride Of Demise
04. Nothing Left Alive
05. The Great Waste Of Flesh
06. Scavengers
07. Dragged Beneath
08. Remnants
09. Tear Out The Eyes Of God
10. Summon Abyss

UNS N' ROSES mainman Axl Rose has checked in with the following update:

"Thank you for all of the support you give us day in day out. All you folks on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, the message boards that fight the good fight - we feel it and very much appreciate it - THANK YOU! And special thanks to MusicRadar for holding the poll and letting people speak."

Rose is referring to the recent poll Musicradar.com conducted where readers voted Axl Rose the greatest lead singer of all time, ahead of Freddy Mercury, Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio, John Lennon and Bruce Dickinson. Only artists who front collaborative bands were eligible to win – soloists and singers with hired-hand outfits were not included.

Says MusicRadar: “The public have spoken. Forget the caricature of recent years and think back to the late 1980s – he was dangerous, lean, angry, confrontational, and controversial. The hotheaded, horny ginger stepchild of Steven Tyler and Robert Plant, a born rock star who made being fashionably late a lifestyle choice and started riots in the process.”

Due on January 11, 2011, "Black Metal: The Music Of Satan" is a no-holds-barred documentary on the black metal scene from the mind of Bill Zebub.

Some people think of church burnings and murders when the hear the word "black metal." This documentary is not for them.

Bill Zebub wanted to prove that a documentary about black metal could still be entertaining without using sensationalism. You get to see most artists express themselves candidly, while of course some people embarrass themselves with their facades... But that's entertainment.

From the mind of Grimoire magazine and films like "Death Metal: Are We Watching You Die?", "Metal Retardation" and "Black Metal: Norwegian Legacy", "Black Metal: The Music Of Satan" features interviews with VENOM, DARKTHRONE, BEHEMOTH, IMMORTAL, CRADLE OF FILTH and tons more.

Montreal-based post-industrial rock band DEADLY APPLES has released video footage of James "Munky" Shaffer (KORN) laying down guitar tracks on two songs that will appear on the group's upcoming album. The CD is tentatively due in early 2011.

DEADLY APPLES — Alex Martel (vocals, samples, tambourine), Antoine Lamothe (drums, keyboards), Gabriel Maurice (bass), Daniel Pelletier (guitar) — has shared the stage with KORN a number of times, including at this year's Heavy MTL festival in Montreal.

"I have known James for several years and he's been very generous of his time," says Martel.

"We've been around for seven years, always doing our own thing and never trying to fit into any trend — that is what defines us and what assures longevity."

Das neue In Extremo-Album "Sterneneisen" erscheint am 25. Februar 2011.

Die Band kommentiert dazu folgendermaßen:
"Bis Anfang Januar werden die Arbeiten am neuen Longplayer noch dauern. Im Augenblick spielen wir die letzten Lieder ein, bevor wir uns über Weihnachten und Silvester an den Mix der brandneuen Songs machen. Die Aufnahmen machen wir wieder mit unseren Freunden, den "Resetti Brothers", Jörg Umbreit und Vincent Sorg, die schon unsere letzten Scheiben mit veredelt und für den letzten Schliff gesorgt haben. Spätestens Anfang Januar gibt es dann auch weitere Infos zu Song-Anzahl und –Titeln."

"Unser neuer Longplayer will auf ganz besondere Art und Weise gefeiert werden. In der Geschichte der Band bisher noch nicht da gewesen, wollen wir mit Euch in fünf unserer Lieblingsclubs rund um den Erscheinungstermin "Sterneneisen" auf den Weg schicken. Dort stellen wir Euch einige der neuen Lieder vor (und spielen natürlich auch einen Haufen älterer Songs) und zwar ohne Netz und doppelten Boden. Große Bühnenaufbauten und Showelemente werden an diesen Abenden zu Hause gelassen, es heißt nur Ihr und wir!

Selbstverständlich haben wir an allen Abenden der Clubtour CD's, LP's und die Deluxe-Box von "Sterneneisen" für Euch mit im Gepäck. Wer möchte, kann sich die neue Scheibe also gleich vor Ort kaufen und von uns nach den Konzerten signieren lassen. Hinterher wird es noch eine After-Show-Party mit DJ geben. Feiert also mit uns das Erscheinen von "Sterneneisen" an den folgenden Terminen:

23.02.2011 Aschaffenburg, Colos-Saal
24.02.2011 Jena, F-Haus
25.02.2011 Augsburg, Kantine
26.02.2011 Bochum, Matrix
27.02.2011 Hamburg, Grünspan

Im April geht die Band dann auf eine ausgedehnte Hallentour:

07.04.11 Köln, E-Werk
08.04.11 Gießen, Hessenhalle
09.04.11 Ludwigsburg, Arena
10.04.11 CH-Zürich, Volkshaus
12.04.11 AT-Wien, Gasometer
13.04.11 München, Zenith
14.04.11 Saarbrücken, Mechanische Werkstatt
15.04.11 Hannover, AWD Arena
16.04.11 Magdeburg, Stadthalle
17.04.11 Bielefeld, Ringlokschuppen
19.04.11 Rostock, Stadthalle
20.04.11 Bremen, Pier 2
21.04.11 Siegen, Siegerlandhalle
22.04.11 Berlin, Columbia Halle
26.04.11 Singen, Stadthalle
27.04.11 Fürth, Stadthalle
28.04.11 Leipzig, Haus Auensee
30.04.11 Erfurt, Thüringenhalle

David Farrier of New Zealand's 3 News conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine prior to the band's December 10, 2010 performance in Auckland. Dave talks about the beauty of New Zealand, how much has happened with MEGADETH and himself in this past year, he hints at possible upcoming "Big Four" shows, a new MEGADETH album on the horizon, and much more. You can now watch the 23-minute chat at this location.

On the alleged feud between him and his former bandmates in METALLICA:

Mustaine: "We've been friends for a long time. It's just that, unfortunately, some of your brethren in the press, they've kept this [feud idea going]. It's just so gay that they keep doing this. It's like, we don't have this problem. There's kind of like the two things — there's the relationship you guys think we have and there's the relationship that we have. When we played in San Francisco recently, Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] and his wife joined my wife and I for dinner after our concert. It's like, 'OK, you can keep believing that we don't like each other, or you can believe the truth.' I mean, you can go on to the bitter end and there'll be some dumb shit that thinks that [he knows] better and that there's a problem. Or you can wake up and smell the coffee and know that we talk together all the time. Funny thing, I was telling someone the other day, I got this message from James [Hetfield, METALLICA frontman], he had changed his cell phone number and he sent me a message saying 'I changed my number.' Before he used to change it because of me. [Laughs]"

On his collaboration with former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz:

Mustaine: "Right now, actually, believe it or not, I am in the studio with an old blast from the past. Remember Dan Spitz from ANTHRAX? He was working on a little side project, and I'd heard it a while ago and it kind of went by in passing 'cause he was just starting it. And I heard it about three weeks ago; he was almost done. And I said, 'Man, I love this record.' I said, 'And do you think it's done?' And he goes, 'Yeah.' And he goes, 'Why? What do you think?' And I said, 'Well, I would kind of do this and that.' And he goes, 'Really? Go ahead.' And I went, 'Really?' So I rolled up my sleeves and I completely dedicated myself to Danny's record for the last three weeks, working tirelessly in my studio on this record with him. And it's that good. I heard it and I just went, 'Oh my God!' It's like a cross between, say, DISTURBED, SOUNDGARDEN and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE kind of thing. Little bit of some smatterings of ANTHRAX because of the speed stuff, but it's much more modern and much more heavy sounding. It's just great, 'cause he's had such a bad run with his heart problems and his twin boys have autism severely. So we're just working together as friends. And he's helped me a lot with my life, too, my spiritual walk, because, as everybody knows, I became a Christian."

On MEGADETH's current record-company situation:

Mustaine: "We're getting ready to start the next MEGADETH record in January and the funny thing is my manager is telling me now how Roadrunner [which released 2007's 'United Abominations' and 2009's 'Endgame'] is going out of their way now to try and give me this new huge deal, and I just don't want it. I don't want it. The treatment's been terrible over the years, and I just don't want it. I would rather retire than continue to play like that. Either we're gonna release [future recordings] digitally [on our own] or [see] what happens next. We've got this last record [that we owe to] Roadrunner [as part of our current contract]; it's gonna be a great record 'cause the songs are really, really good. 'Cause I don't want my side of the bargain to be tainted — I wanna be a gentleman and be respectful and deliver my side of the deal, whether or not the other party has or not."

Koblenz, Germany-based extreme metallers SIX REASONS TO KILL have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's fourth album, "Architects Of Perfection", is scheduled for release on January 28, 2011.

Commented the band: "After several months of working and recording on our forthcoming album, we're happy to have [Massacre Records, a] strong an established partner behind us. It's a great step forward for us and we're more than thrilled to reach this level now.

"We know Massacre Records since the days of our youth and we are proud to become part of this awesome band-roster somewhere between and KING DIAMOND.

"Thanks to Thomas for his confidence in what we are doing. Another great person we have to mention here is Leif Jensen for his management support.

"Last but not least, we want to spread some words of gratitude to all our fans, friends and supporters and everybody who reached his helping hands to us during the past years. We are looking forward to an exciting 2011!"

"Architects Of Perfection" track listing:

01. Welcome To Forever
02. My Bitterness
03. False Absolution
04. Perfection
05. Awaken
06. My Poison
07. Day Of The Apocalypse
08. Scum Belongs To Scum
09. Wandering Stars
10. Buried To The Sea

Norwegian gothic-doom metallers TO CAST A SHADOW have revealed the tracklisting and the cover artwork for their forthcoming sophomore album, In Memory Of (click on the image on the left to enlarge the cover art).

The artwork for the album was developed and realized by Matthew Vickerstaff of Darkwave Art (MY DYING BRIDE, CRADLE OF FILTH).

The album will be released on February 14th, in the UK (February 18th in the rest of Europe) by Kolony Records. The CD was recorded at Hamar Recordings in Norway with producer Kristian Sigland (THE CREST, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY) and was mastered at Leon Music Studio in Sweden by Rikard Lofgren. In Memory Of features a guest appearance by THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's lead singer Nell Sigland in the song ‘Betula’.

In Memory Of tracklisting:

‘Tormented’
‘Morose’
‘Nightfall’
‘Oceans Apart’
‘Betula'
‘My Misery’
‘When You Leave The Room’
‘Set Afire’
‘The Answer’
‘In Memory Of’

Guitarist Niklas Skogqvist has left Swedish female-fronted melodic thrashers DECADENCE. The band states, "Nicke felt that he had too many things going on in his life. He said DECADENCE needs a guitarist that gives 100% which he says he was not able to do."

Regarding a possible replacement guitarist, DECADENCE says, "We have not yet decided if we will continue as a quartet. In fact, our music is more technically suited for two guitarists and we might therefore need a second guitarist again."

The band adds, "We will enter the studio for our fifth album as a quartet, same as with 'The Creature', '3rd Stage Of Decay' and 'Chargepoint'. The new tracks are being polished at the moment and we are really looking forward to sharing it all with you on our next album with a secret title so far. The title of '3rd Stage Of Decay' symbolized so well who we are and this next title will, too!"

DECADENCE's "Silent Weapon (For A Quiet War)" video can be viewed below. The clip was shot last year with producer Helena Starenby.

Following the news that for the first time in 14 years, guitarists Michael Gilbert and Ed Carlson will be performing together on FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's upcoming Mexican dates, it has now been announced that guitarist Mark Simpson will be leaving the band after 13 years. His statement reads as follows:

"I've decided to leave the band. No bad blood at all, of course. Those guys are my brothers, nothing will ever change that and I will continue to support them always. I'm ridiculously happy The Cold is doing so well in the press and with the fans but I'm just taking this moment to move on and try something new. It's as simple as that. Thanks to everyone that I've had a chance to work with and a huge thank you to all the passionate and loyal fans that I had the honor to meet over the years. Buy The Cold! Flots out."

Finnish melodic black metallers CATAMENIA have announced the addition of vocalist Juha-Matti Perttunen (pictured below; ALL AGAINST) to the group's ranks. The band states, "There was a damn tight fight between the last three candidates [which included Ash from AGATHODAIMON and Olli-Jukka Mustonen], but Juha-Matti took over everything with his charisma, attitude and especially wide variety of different vocals to cope with our all songs."

CATAMENIA recently parted ways with Ari Nissilä (guitar, vocals), Toni Kansanoja (bass/backing vocals), Kari Vähäkuopus (clean vocals) and Mikko Nevanlahti (drums) and replaced them with Mikko Hepo-oja (bass), Tony Qvick (drums) and Sauli Jauhiainen (guitar).

The new CATAMENIA lineup is:

Riku Hopeakoski - Guitar
Mikko Hepo-oja - Bass
Tony Qvick - Drums
Sauli Jauhiainen - Guitar
Juha-Matti Perttunen - Vocals

Germany's MIDNATTSOL, featuring Norwegian vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes, have issued the following update:

"Many of you have been wondering lately when our third album will be released. Fortunately we are now happy to announce that the release date of The Metamorphosis Melody is March 25th, 2011. In addition to 11 brand new songs with almost an hour playtime, we have made a Limited Edition for you as well, this time with both a Bonus DVD and a bonus track sung by (guitarist) Daniel Droste. The exact content of the DVD and the titles of the new songs will be revealed in our next news. You can already preorder the limited edtion and the normal edition on Amazon.de.

We have some good news regarding live activities as well: Midnattsol is going to play a great deal live in 2011; you can watch us on concerts, festivals and tours. We can`t wait to show you the new songs and party with you. Watch out for more information!

But unfortunately there is also some bad news for you: our guitarist Daniel Droste has recently left the band due to the fact that he wanted to concentrate on his band AHAB. We want to thank Daniel from the bottom of our heart for all the awesome and funny moments together with him in the rehearsal room, studio, tour bus and of course on stage and wish him all the best for the future, both regarding his musical career and private life.

In order to be a complete band again, we are now in search of a new guitarist. We will keep you informed!"

Falkenberg, Sweden-based metallers BY NIGHT have set "Sympathy For Tomorrow" as the title of their third album for a tentative early 2011 release. The CD was recorded this past at StudioMega in Varberg, Sweden and "the results are absolutely mind-blowing," according to a press release. "The heaviness and the aggression are there and the songs grow [with] every listen. The fans will not be disappointed."

Die norwegischen Female Fronted Metaller SIRENIA haben die Aufnahme des neuen Albums "The Enigma of Life" beendet. Das neue Album wurde jetzt zum Mastern ins Studio geschickt und wird am 21. Januar 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records in den Handel kommen. Bei uns könnt ihr euch jetzt schon mal das Cover Artwork und die Track List ansehen. Jetzt wurden in einem You Tube Clip 30 Sekunden Samples von allen Tracks online gestellt.

Dutch death metallers ASPHYX will enter Sonic Assault studio in January with engineer Frank Klein Douwel to begin recording the first four songs for their forthcoming album, "Deathhammer". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Reign Of The Brute", "Vespa Cabro", "We Doom You To Death", "Asphyx-Minefield" and "Deathhammer". Axel Hermann will create the cover artwork while Dan Swanö (BLOODBATH, EDGE OF SANITY) will take care of the mixing duties.

Angizia has finished the layout workings for "kokon" today . The 6th Angizia-album will be released in a special monochrome digipak-version on 11th february 2011. Click here to see the album's track list and its cover artwork. All illustrations (for the digipak version and for the new website, which will be ready in January 2011 most probably) have been created by Gabriele Böck. kokon can be pre-ordered now under angizia@gmx.at (please announce your name and your full address). More information about "kokon" soon!

Belgian symphonic metal band LEMURIA have just released a new concept album called, Chanson de la Croisade. Running for over an hour in total, the album takes the listener on a journey through medieval France, during the age of the crusades.
The band's style has been compared to DIMMU BORGIR, HOLLENTHON, TURISAS and BAL-SAGOTH. The album was mastered by Peter In de Betou (SEPTIC FLESH, Dimmu Borgir, ARCH ENEMY) and is presented as an attractive digipack with the story and lyrics interwoven in a 28-page full colour booklet.