Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) is hard at work on "Deconstruction" and "Ghost", the third and fourth in a series of albums to be made available under THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT moniker. According to Devin, "'Ghost' is the mellowest (by far) and prettiest record I've done so far" with a "very wonderful vibe." It will be released with "the shitstorm that is 'Deconstruction' simultaneously" — possibly in early April 2011. Townsend adds, "I contacted dozens of drummers to work on 'Deconstruction', but the reality of the budgets became apparent very quick. [So] I chose two dudes… [Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based band drummer] Ryan Van Poederooyen [TERROR SYNDROME, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND] for the midtempo and proggy stuff, and Dirk Verbeuren [SOILWORK, SCARVE, ABORTED] for the grind. I will be working with hopefully all the others on other albums. I need to play 'Deconstruction' live as well, so I chose to do it this way."

In a May 2009 interview with Stream Of Consciousness, Townsend stated about "Deconstruction", "The whole idea of 'Deconstruction' is deconstructing why we're attached to heavy music.

"I put out [the first THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT album] 'Ki' and people want to listen to it and it's like this is a really good record. But there's a whole network of people that are like, 'No no no no no! We only want heavy music, we only want chaotic music, we only want devilish, horrible, destructive music,' and I'm like, 'Well, why? I'll do it for you, but just tell me why first.' 'Because we love it, because we love it.' 'Why do you love it? Ya know?' 'Fuck the world, fuck the world, fuck everything man, only heavy, only metal,' and I'm like, 'OK, I'll tell you what I'll make you that record, but I'm going to sing about why we're liking this music.'

"Honestly, at the root of it, I think humans are really terrified and I think a lot of people who really love heavy music love it because it's a way for them to protect themselves. If you put this thing forward and are like, 'I'm going to scare people with my music,' then no one's going to get to the root of the fact that maybe it's just you that are terrified and that's your way of protecting yourself, that's your defense mechanism. It's one thing to say, 'Oh I'm mad at God,' but maybe you're really just mad at your father, you know? And I think that all these themes... that's the thing that's really interesting to me about heavy music now it's like, yes, I love heavy music, absolutely, but, man, to think that's the only thing that I'm able to offer and that's the only thing that certain people are willing to accept from me…? You know, it's not like I'm pissed off about it, but it's kind of like — are you sure you really want to know why you really like this with the exclusion of everything else?"

RUINED SOUL have premiered the official music video for 'My Dying Day'. Check it out below.

The video was shot at a secret location in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is directed by René U. Valdes for Greenworks. Featured in the video are Ruined Soul mastermind Johnny Johansson (DISDAIN), Patrik Johansson (ARISE), Eric Rauti (DREAMLAND), Anders Hammer (NIGHTRAGE) and Janne Jaloma (DEALS DEATH).

This is the title track of Ruined Soul's debut album, My Dying Day. The album was released April 23rd through the Swedish label Suicide Records, and features the following guest appearances:

Jonas Kjellgren - SCAR SYMMETRY
Matias Kupiainen - STRATOVARIUS
Niklas Stålvind - WOLF
Olof Mörck - NIGHTRAGE
Eric Rauti - DREAMLAND
Marios Iliopoulos - Nightrage
Benny Jansson - RIDE THE SKY
Jonas Hörnqvist - TREASURE LAND
Tobias Jansson - THE LAW
Patrik Johansson - ARISE
Peter Huss - SHINING
Janne Stark - CONSTANCIA

As previously reported, Norway's GAIA EPICUS and Germany's KICKHUNTER (featuring HELLOWEEN bassist Markus Großkopf), are among the bands who will appear on the forthcoming tribute album to Helloween and GAMMA RAY called HELLORAY, being put together by Epicus Records.

The final two acts for the tribute have been found: 5TH ELEMENT cover Helloween's 'Judas' and ILUNGARA tackle the 'Weenies' 'Before The War'.

According to a label update: "Our goal for this album was to not choose the most obvious songs like 'Ride The Sky', 'Future World' and other songs that is the first choice when bands want to cover these two great metal legends. Also many of the biggest hits have already been released on tributes. Even though we might have one or two of the biggest hits, we have managed to get a very special selection of great songs. We have songs from the year 1985 to 2007!"

The final tracklisting for the album is as follows:

'Tribute To The Past' (Gamma Ray) - GUARDIANS OF MANKIND
'Warrior' (Helloween) - GAIA EPICUS
'The Spirit' (Gamma Ray) - PARALLAX
'Mr. Torture' (Helloween) - AILLION
'Anywhere In The Galaxy' (Gamma Ray) - OPERA MAGNA
'Ain’t Got Nothin' Better' (Helloween) - KICK HUNTER
'Last Before The Storm' (Gamma Ray) - SONEM
'Where The Rain Grows' (Helloween) - ARMORY
'A Tale That Wasn’t Right' (Helloween) - DRACHEN
'Lust For Life' (Gamma Ray) - MIDAS FATE
'Just A Little Sign' (Helloween) - RAMPART
'Leaving Hell' (Gamma Ray) - ROTTEN
Judas (HELLOWEEN) - 5th ELEMENT
'Heaven Or Hell' (Gamma Ray) - BURN UNIVERSE
Before the war (HELLOWEEN) - ILUNGARA
Land Of The Free' (Gamma Ray) - DEIMOS

Tribunal Records reports:

Following up on our hugely successful reissue of CASANOVA’s debut album, we are now happy to present the deluxe edition of their second album, One Night Stand, available September 14th.

This deluxe edition has once again been remastered by Jamie King and we have added not only 5 bonus tracks, but archival pictures provided by bassist Jochen Mayer. This is a must have for all Casanova fans worldwide!

One Night Stand (Deluxe Edition) tracklisting:

'Guns Say Fire'
'Ticket To The Moon'
'I'll Come Runnin''
'Love's Crashin' Down'
'The X-tra Mile'
'One Of These Days'
'Wake Up!'
'Home Is Where The Heart Is'
'The Doctor Is In'
'Dead Man's Hand'
'Seal It With A Kiss'

Bonus tracks:
'Here Comes That Feeling'
'Judy'
'I Believe In You'
'Out Of The Blue'
'Seal It With A Kiss' (Acoustic)

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach are re-teaming for TIMES OF GRACE, a brand new band that finds the duo taking a creative left turn, boldly exploring new musical terrain, while fearlessly digging deep into the recesses of their musical synergy. It has yielded a provocative, heavy-yet-melodic result, one that helped each of them overcome personal struggles and emerge from the darkness, more empowered than ever.

The pair's collaborative energy and chemistry obviously yields quality, long-lasting results, as they worked together on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's benchmark album, 2002's "Alive Or Just Breathing". That record has become definitive for an entire generation of American metal, with Leach's voice and uplifting lyrics serving as one of the key elements that propelled the album to "modern classic" status. Leach, who went on to sing for the more classic-rock leaning SEEMLESS and who currently sings for the metal band THE EMPIRE SHALL FALL, was always remembered fondly by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans, even though he left the band shortly after "Alive Or Just Breathing"'s release.

While fans will no doubt be thrilled at the concept of the duo reuniting, TIMES OF GRACE is not interested in fashioning "Alive Or Just Breathing Part II". It's an entirely new project and represents a different musical path for both Adam D. and Leach! It is an album of cleansing and catharsis for each of them, where internal demons were exorcised and set to music that's as aggressive as it is melodic. The pair is currently in the studio working on its debut, "The Hymn Of A Broken Man", which is due out November 9 through Roadrunner Records.

"In all my life. I have yet to write a record that bares my soul as much as this record does," Leach said. "Adam and I had a real spiritual connection while making this and I know that it comes through in the performances and lyrics. This record has our blood, sweat and tears flowing through it. It is painfully honest at times. In short this record is our catharsis."

Adam D. also commented on what TIMES OF GRACE means for him personally, saying, "Making this record was something completely new for me. It documents some of the most difficult-yet-spirited times of my life in the past three-and-a-half years. A lot of the music and lyrics just came out of me while going through several internal struggles, and writing these songs were the only comfort I could find. I reached out to Jesse to help sing and write these songs with me because of my respect for his musical abilities, and because of our great friendship...one that seems to not change no matter what happens in our lives. In the end, I am very proud of this record, and I feel it has helped me through some of my darkest days. I'm hoping that people will enjoy it, and also that it can maybe help others to keep the most positive mindset, even through the most trying of times."

The album begins with the percussive, almost militaristic "Strength in Numbers", which pairs layered vocal melodies with thunderously roaring drumbeats; "Fight For Life" bites with ferocity, but is balanced out by Leach's emotive vocals; while "Willing" boasts a more contemplative yet just as feral vibe.

TIMES OF GRACE isn't going back over ground that its members have already covered; they're moving forward, incorporating stunning, eye-arresting visuals alongside their music, which features rich layers of instrumentation that invite the listener to sift through.

The track listing for the album is as follows; the song titles reflect the sentiment of catharsis that is the common thread running through "The Hymn of a Broken Man".

01. Strength in Numbers
02. Fight For Life
03. Willing
04. Where The Spirit Leads Me
05. Until The End Of Days
06. Live In Love
07. In the Arms of Mercy
08. Hymn of a Broken Man
09. Hope Remains
10. The End of Eternity
11. Worlds Apart
12. Fall From Grace

Jack Russell, lead singer of the multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated rock band GREAT WHITE, is recovering from major surgery after suffering a perforated bowel (a medical emergency in which a hole in the bowel opens to allow its contents to empty into the rest of the abdominal cavity). The surgery left Russell with a colostomy bag. Doctors are confident that this procedure is temporary. Russell remains hospitalized in Southern California, and his condition is improving.

"It was touch-and-go for about 48 hours whether or not he was going to live," manager Obi Steinman said. "He's been in the hospital for several days, and he's doing a lot better."

Russell is the singer behind such hits as "Once Bitten Twice Shy", "Rock Me", "Angel" and "Save All Your Love". He faces another operation, but he was in good spirits today. "I've felt better, but I've felt a hell of a lot worse," he said in a statement. "Nothing is going to keep me down. This whole thing definitely makes me appreciate life more than I ever have."

Russell is expected to recover in six to eight weeks.

Singer Terry Ilous of XYZ has stepped in to replace Russell on lead vocals.

GREAT WHITE continues to receive positive feedback from audiences and promoters from its three shows in Southern California this past weekend.

The remaining dates on GREAT WHITE's 25th-anniversary tour will go on as scheduled, and can be viewed at GreatWhiteRocks.com.

The GREAT WHITE family extends its thanks to the entire GREAT WHITE fan community and appreciates prayers and well wishes as Russell recovers.

On September 11 at the Stockholm Rock Out festival in Stockholm, Sweden, GREAT WHITE will play a one-time-only European show with the legendary singer Paul Shortino (QUIET RIOT, ROUGH CUTT and the recently reunited KING KOBRA).

Low-quality video footage of GREAT WHITE's August 12, 2010 performance at the Brixton in Redondo Beach, California with Terry Ilous of XYZ on vocals can be viewed below.

GREAT WHITE released its latest album, "Rising", in North America in April 2009 via Shrapnel Records. The CD was issued in Europe on March 13, 2009 through Frontiers Records.

Since reuniting in January 2007 to perform a benefit concert, GREAT WHITE has moved forward with the successful release in the summer of the same year of their return album "Back To The Rhythm", a record which was hailed by critics and fans as a return to the heydays of the band. After a world tour that celebrated the first 25 years of GREAT WHITE and that brought them for 14 concerts to Europe, bass player Sean McNabb opted out and was replaced by Scott Snyder (ex-RAMOS, ACCOMPLICE).

Ex-touring bassist for Canadian thrash-metal veterans ANNIHILATOR, Dave Sheldon, has started a new project: EXES FOR EYES. The artist (who has since reverted back to guitar) has enlisted the Montreal vocal juggernaut “Big” James Arsenian of the band ENDAST, to front the brand new metallic monolith.

Their debut CD The Amsler Grid (release details TBA) contains a cover song written by one of Britain's most successful pop acts, TEARS FOR FEARS. Break It Down Again' was released as the first single from their 1993 album Elemental. The song was an international hit, reaching #20 in the UK, #25 in the US, and the Top 40 in several other countries, and also reached #1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was the second single released after the departure of Curt Smith from the band (after 'Laid So Low' in 1992). As with the Elemental album, the song featured Roland Orzabal with peripheral Tears For Fears band members Alan Griffiths and Gail Ann Dorsey.

Sheldon says: "We chose to do a cover not for the sake of lack of original material (as we had 22 original songs to choose from) but as a way to ease people into the sound of Exes For Eyes. Not only are people familiar with Tears For Fears and the track itself, but it leant itself to our sound. So naturally, we though it would be an easy transition for people to get into what it is that we do. It turned out really well."

California rockers Y&T have set up a fund to help offset the substantial medical expenses incurred by the band's original bassist, Phil Kennemore, is his fight with metastatic cancer.

Commented the group: "Any amount you wish to give, no matter how small or large, will be very greatly appreciated to help Phil and his family with his extensive medical expenses. 100 percent of all donations will be distributed directly to Phil."

For more information, go to this location.

Kennemore recently said about his cancer diagnosis, "With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin' and rollin'. I'll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I'll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I'll be walking out of this place and I'll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock 'n' roll life, in due time."

Y&T's current lineup is rounded out by original guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti, along with longtime members John Nymann (guitar) and Mike Vanderhule (drums).

Y&T's first studio album in 13 years, "Facemelter", was released in Europe on May 21 via Frontiers Records.

As the title indicates, "Facemelter" is a hard-rockin', song-oriented album that lives up to its name: it captures the band's raw energy and tightness that they've become known for. Featuring heavy grooves, powerful guitars, and strong melodies, the band shows their versatility, delivering a range of high-energy rockers, mid-tempo head-bangers, modern rock grooves, majestic ballads, and signature Y&T rock anthems. To mark the return, the band engaged John Taylor Dismukes — the same artist who designed covers for Y&T's classic albums "Mean Streak", "Black Tiger" and "In Rock We Trust" — to create the amazing art of the new "Facemelter".

Rege Behe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently conducted an interview with legendary heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On being sober:

"When I first started to get sober, I thought, 'Well, how can I enjoy music without drugs or alcohol in my system?' And I had to come to a decision where I'd get help ..."

On performing live:

"When everything is in the right place and it's going well and my voice is on form, you know, and the crowd is giving me some craziness .... when it's going great, there's nothing in the world to come anywhere near — love, sex, drugs, there's nothing can touch it. But at the other end of the spectrum, when it's going bad, there's nothing worse, as bad as that. The challenge is still there for me."

On the possibility of a reunion with fellow original BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward:

"We're talking and that's a good sign. We're not at war with each other ... I was speaking to Bill Ward last night. I've got to speak to the other two. But it was in the last attempt where we just all met without saying anything to each other (after) quite a few years. I'm trying to get things done right, talking at least. I can't give any dates, 'cause I don't know anything. I don't know whether they want to do it with me, or whatever, but I'm starting to feel (things) ease up for it. To be honest with you, I would love to do a killer BLACK SABBATH album. It would make my life, my whole thing, round up perfectly for me."

On trying to reinvent himself:

"I'd like to get a fictitious band name and do something completely different than heavy music, you know. (Do) something a different way, because being Ozzy Osbourne — having the track record I've had — it's very difficult. But if I want to try something like a blues album, it's very difficult to do that. (It would be) 'What the hell is he doing now?' "

Darryl Sterdan of the QMI Agency recently conducted an interview with vocalist Bruce Dickinson of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Q: What does it mean to put out a 15th album? It can't give you the same thrill as the first one.

Dickinson: Well, it's not really a numbers game. Not for us, anyway. Every album you put out is important because it could be the last one — especially when you get up to 15. I'd like to think this album would be a great starting point for our next album, or an equally great finishing point if we decide never to make another one. Not that we think of it as our last album. But never say never at this point.

Q: This record has some of your longest and most complex songs. Is that about challenging yourselves? You, in particular, seem like a man who not only likes challenges, but needs them.

Dickinson: Yeah. Without them, I'd get bored very quickly. But I think you have to find what challenges are appropriate. It's like the Clint Eastwood thing: A man's got to know his limitations. Once you know your limitations, then you can exceed them.

Q: Speaking of bringing people in, you literally fly planeloads of fans to and from shows as part of a VIP package. What happens on those flights?

Dickinson: We try and make it special. The flights are all Fight 666 — that's on the boarding passes and everything. And we make up goodie bags — you get a hat and Bruce Air sunglasses and flags and all kinds of good things. And the only way you can get this stuff is if you're on the flight. You can't go and buy it on a website. And I dish out signed photographs as well, and I chat to everybody. I come back and take pictures, I hang out with the cabin crew and sign stuff.

Q: "American Idol" needs a new acerbic Brit judge. Interested?

Dickinson: Absolutely not. You couldn't pay me enough to go on that show. I find it a bit sad that people enjoy it. There's another show called "Britain's Got Talent" which is clearly just an exercise in laughing at people's inability. It's sad. Reality TV leaves me completely cold. I couldn't tell you who won any of those shows. I've never watched them for longer than 30 seconds, which is sufficient to go, "I can't believe people sit and watch this shit."

fter leaving FREEDOM CALL at the end of 2005, Ilker Ersin started to build up his own band, POWERWORLD.

Ilker wrote every song, produced the demos and searched for the right musicians to complete the band.

It was clear, that he would ask his long-time friend Barish Kepic (ex-JADED HEART) for the spot as guitarist. With vocalist Steffen Brunner, Nils Neumann (ex-Freedom Call) on the keyboards and ex-AT VANCE drummer Jürgen Lucas, the lineup was ready to record the songs.

Drums were recorded by Sascha Gerstner of Helloween in his G-Tracks Studios. Chris Lausmann (BONFIRE, Jaded Heart, PINK CREAM 69, etc.) did the rough mixe. Ilker finished the mixes of all the songs and Achim Köhler (BRAINSTORM, PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, AVANTASIA, etc.) did the mastering.

The band signed a worldwide record deal with Metal Heaven/AOR Heaven and released their self titled debut of in March of 2008.

Unfortunately, due to prior engagements Powerworld were unable to play live.

During the making of the second CD, vocalist Steffen Brunner and drummer Jürgen Lucas parted ways with Powerworld. The rest of the band finished the work on the new CD as fast as possible to fulfil their contract with the record company.

With drummer Simon Michael of SUBWAY TO SALLY, they had found a man who was able to play the new songs in the studio in just a few days. The band started the search for the right vocalist immediately after the drum-recordings.

After a short time, ex-SARGANT FURY/THRESHOLD frontman Andrew"Mac"McDermott was found. He possessed the necessary self identity and musical maturity to complete the Powerworld package, giving the whole sound a more rocky and less mainstream metal sound than their debut.

Shortly after that, Barish asked drummer Achim Keller of VICTORY to join the band as a full member.

SPV / Steamhammer signed a worldwide deal with Powerworld in August 2010. The new album, Human Parasite, will be released in Europe on October 22nd and in North America on November 9th. The band will embark on a European tour in early 2011.

Human Parasite tracklisting:

'Cleansed by Fire'
'Stand Up'
'Evil In Me'
'Time Will Change'
'Human Parasite'
'Hope'
'East Comes To West'
'Children Of The Future'
'Caught In Your Web'
'Tame Your Demons'
'Might Of Secrets'
'King For A Day'

UK rockers PURE REASON REVOLUTION's third album, Hammer And Anvil, will be released in Germany / Austria / Switzerland on October 15th, and throughout Europe on October 18th via Superball Music / EMI.

Pure Reason Revolution are proof a band can be influenced by ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, SMASHING PUMPKINS, SOULWAX, DEPECHE MODE and THE BEACH BOYS all at once, yet make sense of a vision that brings those disparate voices together into a sound that combines electronic dance rhythms, pop hooks and sublime vocal harmonies with huge rock riffs.

Québec City-based metallers BLINDED BY FAITH have been in the studio working with Antoine Baril (ex-AUGURY drummer), Yannick St-Amand (who recorded DESPISED ICON and BENEATH THE MASSACRE) and Pierre Rémillard (ANONYMUS, MISERY INDEX, MARTYR) on three new songs to "try to catch the attention of international labels that could push the band further."

The songs - 'Dead End', 'Drastic Medecine' and 'The Pace Of The Race' - are currently streaming on the band's MySpace page.

As part of the ongoing celebration of their 20th anniversary, Swedish progressive metallers OPETH will release live footage and audio from the band's recent performance at London's famed Royal Albert Hall. "In Live Concert at the Royal Albert Hall", due on September 21 via Roadrunner Records, is a fierce testament to OPETH's continued success in the progressive metal community.

Twenty years and nine records into their legendary career, OPETH's "progressively creative spirit" (ARTISTdirect) remains unwavering, propelling the band through the "Evolution XX: An Opeth Anthology" tour, which brought the Swedish titans to six of the world's most unique venues, and now, with the release of "In Live Concert At The Royal Albert Hall", into the homes of their fans.

The performance at the Royal Albert Hall (recorded on April 5, 2010) includes two sets, the first consisting of the band performing 2000's now-classic, breakthrough epic "Blackwater Park" in its entirety, and the second, a chronologically arranged selection of material from the rest of OPETH's extensive catalogue, totaling almost three hours of music. It is, like the rest of OPETH's greatest work, "purposefully warped in all the right places" (Decibel). The front cover artwork concept pays tribute to DEEP PURPLE's "Concerto for Group and Orchestra", underlining the band's longstanding love for their prog-rock roots.

Thinking back to the concert, frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt says "OPETH had a magical night playing the Royal Albert Hall. It was a dream come true, and now afterwards, it still feels like a dream. We got it all on film, and this, our third live recording and DVD, might be my personal favorite.

"One couldn't help to think of all the fantastic artists that played there over the years. Looking back at this night of celebration brings me fond memories of our 20th anniversary — this package is the delayed birthday present."

The release will be available as three very special configurations:

01. Limited-edition vinyl box set, which includes:

* Double-DVD set of OPETH's performance at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in its entirety. Bonus features include an exclusive interview and the behind-the-scenes documentary, "On Tour with Opeth". DVDs are in 5.1 Dolby surround sound, produced and mixed by Jens Bogren.

* A set of four 180-gram LPs of the concert's live audio in its entirety. The vinyl is pressed overseas to the highest of standards and housed in white poly lined inner sleeves which are packaged as two double gatefold set with exclusive artwork. Vinyl only available in this box set.

* Exclusive, numbered lithograph with artwork designed by Mikael Åkerfeldt and longtime OPETH designer Travis Smith.

* 20-page, LP sized booklet printed on coated paper stock that chronicles the night's events in photos.

* MP3 download of live audio in its entirety sent via e-mail on release day.

* Expanded, exclusive artwork and more.

* Content of this set is housed in a custom foil stamped slipcase.

02. Five-disc set that consists of two DVDs and three CDs. The set not only includes the legendary evening captured on video, but the concert's live audio in its entirety as well.

03. Double-DVD set of OPETH's performance at the legendary Royal Albert Hall, in its entirety, including bonus features.

Track listing is as follows:

Set 1

* The Leper Affinity
* Bleak
* Harvest
* The Drapery Falls
* Dirge For November
* The Funeral Portrait
* Patterns In The Ivy
* Blackwater Park

Set 2

* Forest Of October
* Advent
* April Ethereal
* The Moor
* Wreath
* Hope Leaves
* Harlequin Forest
* The Lotus Eater

Australian progressive metallers VANISHING POINT have issued the following update:

"This is kind of a hard letter to type because we like to focus on the positives and not get into negative thinking so we aren't going to leave you guys guessing anymore with what's happening with VANISHING POINT .

"Straight up, after much thought and telling it like it is , we wish to let you all know that Tommy [Vucur, guitar], Adrian [Alimic, bass] and Jake [Lowe, keyboards] are no longer members of VANISHING POINT .


"Sometimes musical directions and visions pull people in different directions and sometimes it brings people closer together musically. With Tommy and Adrian there was a growing gap in which they wanted to explore different avenues of music yet the rest of us wanted to keep writing melodic metal music , so after a while and much time passing it was evident that things weren't going well in regards to writing the new album and where the rest of us felt that VANISHING POINT should go. The end result was that Tommy and Adrian chose to leave the band , on good terms.

"We wish to point there is no bad blood or harsh words. Put simply, when it doesn't work, then why continue struggling and pushing friendships into the ground?

"We sincerely wish the guys well in their creative pursuits. We know that whatever they come up with in the future will be great. We sincerely hope that you guys out there will support them in the future as you have for many years.

"Now , what brings us forward. We want to let you guys know that we are not disbanding or shelving VANISHING POINT by any means. Although things have slowed up and some of the new songs had to have some small parts rearranged, we are still going strong and we have just under an album's worth of songs, many close to completion, many still with much to do and many already completed musically.

"We are planning in the near future to enter the studio and when we do we will let you guys know. So far the songs are sounding great (we think anyways, heh heh) and they are the type of songs you would expect from VANISHING POINT with some minor twists and turns musically .

"We can't say too much at the moment , yet we ask you to please be patient with us and understand that although things have slowed down a little for the time being , we are working on the next album right now and have been for the last few months .

"In regards to new members, we have nobody as yet and to be honest have not done much searching , yet if anybody is interested to try out for VANISHING POINT, then please forward on any info, bios, etc., to chrisvp71@bigpond.com. A hard-work ethic, can-do attitude is what we are looking for in a bass player and guitarist."

The new issue of Spin magazine features a SOUNDGARDEN cover story in which the four members of the reunited Seattle grunge legends discuss their reasons for coming back after a 13-year absence and their future plans. A couple of excerpts from the article follow.

On SOUNDGARDEN's split and eventual reunion:

Chris Cornell (vocals): "The one thing about SOUNDGARDEN most people don't get is that we always got along. We drank, and any band that drinks is going to have chaos, but we never had that internal negativity that usually spells the obvious reasons a band breaks up."

"A lot of times bands reform, and people have changed in ways that might be negative, and you're just fighting to be able to play the music with some degree of efficiency. We're not that."

On Cornell's New Year's Eve tweet — "The 12-year break is over and school is back in session. Sign up now. Knights of the Soundtable ride again!" — that was widely misinterpreted as an announcement of the band's reformation:

Kim Thayil (guitar): "We're not the Knights of the Soundtable, that was our fan club. We were just re-upping it with the new website. But the rumors generated offers. The demand was overwhelming. I wouldn't say we acquiesced, but we kind of warmed to the idea."

On the possibility of SOUNDGARDEN writing new music:

Chris Cornell: "It would be exciting to record one song, to hear how SOUNDGARDEN-ish that might be this much time later. But for me, it's been more of a trip relearning the songs and playing them together. Some of the songs we're approaching we've never played live."

On Cornell's 2009 solo album, "Scream", which bitterly divided fans over its urban pop sound:

Chris Cornell: "It felt natural to me. I had a good time doing it, and the only obstacle really was the perception of it. And perception is something I never spent too much time worrying about."

One of the most infamous and notorious names in metal, CRADLE OF FILTH continue to shock, excite, disgust and inspire in equal measures. On November 1, 2010, the latest chapter of the band's dark history is to be released through Peaceville Records on the band's own AbraCadaver imprint (November 9 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records). Titled "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa", their ninth studio album is, in the word's of CRADLE's infamous frontman Dani Filth, "without doubt the fastest and most brutal album we've created to date. As an acquaintance of the band so aptly noted, this is like 'IRON MAIDEN on crack in a graveyard of angels!' This album is CRADLE at our most sinister and darkened fairytale," continues Dani. "A gothic horror themed slay-ride of fervour and perversion; yet amidst the orchestral melodrama and lush, cinematic production, there sits stalwart a ravening beast of furious riffing, flesh ripping vocals and monstrous, unstoppable percussion."

CRADLE OF FILTH — consisting of Dani Filth on vocals, Paul Allender and James McIlroy on guitar, David Pybus on bass, Martin Skaroupka on drums and Ashley Ellyllon on keyboards — recorded the follow-up to 2008's "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder" at Monkey Puzzle studios near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. The bandmembers remain stalwarts to the satanic horror ethos by again composing a fully blown concept album, this time based on Adam's first wife, the lascivious Demoness Lilith; throwing Medieval nuns, Knights Templars, Greek mythology and lashings of sex, occult lore and violent bloodshed into the smelting pot, to create a darkly erotic nightmare set to their unique scope of supreme vampyric metal. And with an as-near-as-dammit release date of All Hallow's Eve 2010, CRADLE OF FILTH are snarling at the leash to get out to all of their fans across the world. "We can't wait to play this shit live," admits Dani.

For this release, the band wanted mastery of their own destiny, choosing to release the album on their very own AbraCadaver label in conjunction with Peaceville Records, home to such illicit luminaries as DARKTHRONE, KATATONIA, MY DYING BRIDE, BLOODBATH and GALLHAMMER, among many others. Vocalist Dani Filth has described the move as being "a choice to move away from the artistic restrictions/mindless inhibitions imposed by dwelling on a major label" and cites the current financial clime as "the perfect opportunity to start doing things our own way again, with the added benefit of being a far bigger fish in a proverbial pool, surrounded by people who have been handpicked to get the job best done. And more importantly... who still are hungry for the taste of music."

Click here to go to the new CRADLE OF FILTH microsite and sign up to the mailing list to receive your free MP3 download of the new song "Lilith Immaculate".

According to CDJapan.co.jp, a special limited-edition version of RATT's new studio album, "Infestation", will be released in Japan on October 6 featuring songs from the band's rare self-titled debut EP and six live tracks. The bonus DVD features behind-the-scenes footage from the "Infestation" release party, held on April 21, 2010, the "Best of Me" music video, and behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the clip. Also included are a description and lyrics.

"Bestial Atrocity" and "Devoured Cunt", two brand new songs from reactivated Dutch death metal veterans HOUWITSER, are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The tracks come off the group's fifth album, "Bestial Atrocity", which is due in early September via Sevared Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Bestial Atrocity
02. Devoured Cunt
03. Conviction Through Torture
04. Sledgehammer Redemption
05. Vision Of Blood
06. Hatred Vindicated
07. Shredded To Pieces
08. Lynch The Cancer
09. The Lingering Death
10. Flayed, Beheaded And Quartered
11. Demolish The Deformed

Fan-filmed video footage of QUEENSRŸCHE's August 18, 2010 performance at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey as part of the band's current Queensrÿche Cabaret tour can be viewed below.

QUEENSRŸCHE's Queensrÿche Cabaret tour is being filmed for future DVD release. The trek, which kicked off in late July, was previously described by the group as "Teatro ZinZanni meets Cirque du Soleil, with the band performing their hits and never-heard-before selections accompanied by go-go dancers, burlesque dancers, drag queens, a juggler, ballet dancer, trapeze artist, a contortionist and others. Definitely a fun-filled evening like no other full of freaks and shrieks!"

QUEENSRŸCHE's twelfth studio LP, the epic concept album "American Soldier", was made available from Atco/Rhino in March 2009. The ambitious album encompasses a dozen songs inspired by numerous interviews with veterans conducted by Geoff Tate, the group's singer and chief songwriter, who was intent on telling their story using their words. After speaking with soldiers who served in various conflicts — from World War II to Iraq — Tate turned their firsthand experiences from the frontlines into an unflinching musical examination of the life of a solider and the consequences of war.