Metal Assault caught up with MOONSORROW guitarist Mitja Harvilahti on April 25th at the House of Blues in Hollywood, CA. Interview topics included touring with FINNTROLL, writing and playing 25-minute songs, the term "epic heathen metal", the band's grindcore side project, past troubles in Germany, being successful despite having Finnish lyrics, old demos and upcoming plans. Check out an excerpt below.

Q: In Germany you guys got into political trouble in the past, being accused as Nazis and things like that. Do you think they've moved on from that and you are able to play gigs over there as you normally would?

Mitja: "We always played gigs as normal and it didn't really affect us. But it was very bad publicity because it was complete bullshit. We are not Nazis, we hate Nazis, racism and everything that destroys humanity. So it was very unfortunate. The thing was, it was only one guy behind it all. That says something about the power of internet, magazines and press. If one guy can tell a lie about bands and people, it will be released in every major newspaper in Germany. We had to come out in their media and say that this was all bullshit but it was very sad. I don't think I've ever been as angry at anybody as I was when somebody accused me of being Nazi."

Q: You guys write lyrics in Finnish. Do you think that aspect makes it harder in the US because no body can sing along?

Mitja: "Well, I don't find it hard because I'm used to it. We play so much abroad that people hardly ever can know our lyrics. So it doesn't really matter. But I'm really surprised that so many people like us in America and abroad as well. We only sing in Finnish and if people are able to adapt to our style and still like the music, that's kind of an achievement. I'm very proud of it."

Eight months after he left the band due to "a lack of time and inspiration," bassist Magnus Olsfelt (THE CROWN) has rejoined Swedish heavy rockers STOLEN POLICECAR. The group states, "We're damn pleased that Magnus quitting STOLEN POLICECAR in the end turned out to be a couple of months off. Yeah, our dude is back, more welcome than ever."

STOLEN POLICECAR released its debut album, "Oh No!! It's A...Stolen Policecar", in March 2009 via Ziekte-NL. The CD was recorded and mixed at Studio MT with producer Marko Tervonen (ANGEL BLAKE, THE CROWN).

Guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont (SYMPHORCE, DOWNSPIRIT, ex-FREEDOM CALL) will release an instrumental solo album, "Melodrama", on June 21. The effort will be available as a digipack through Dupont's MySpace page and as a digital download via the usual digital music providers (including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, LastFM, Napster). Swiss fans will also have the option to purchase the album at www.cede.ch.

"Melodrama" track listing:

01. Melodrama
02. Atmosfear
03. Tandoori Symphony
04. The Magic Dragon
05. Mysterious
06. Southern BBQ Style
07. Rockumental
08. A Bongo and a Tree
09. One Planet is Not Enough
10. The Magic Dragon (cinemix)
11. Tandoori Symphony (cinemix)

The album's music is best described as a musical guitar/soundtrack trip around the world with influences from different world music elements and instruments.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada traditional metallers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will film their May 21 and May 22 hometown shows for their first-ever concert DVD.

Commented vocalist Cam Pipes: "May 21 and 22 will surely be a couple of the most monumental days in the history of 3 INCHES OF BLOOD. Not only are we playing back-to-back shows in our hometown at one the most promising new venues Vancouver has seen in a long time, but we will be filming both shows for a future live DVD release.

"The excitement amongst the band is feverish. We relish the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd because it reminds us who supported us in the early stages.

"To make these shows even more special, we're going to play different sets on each night.

"We hope everyone will remember these shows for years to come. We will certainly do our best to make them fun and memorable."

3 INCHES OF BLOOD is preparing for the next big North American touring onslaught, which kicks off tonight with a massive run across Canada with GOATWHORE. This leads them directly into the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, where they will perform alongside such major acts as KORN, ROB ZOMBIE, LAMB OF GOD and HATEBREED. The band will also play a series of "off" dates with LAMB OF GOD and HATEBREED.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD recently teamed up with acclaimed director Rick Podd ("The Watcher", "Hellraiser") to film a video for the song "Silent Killer". The track comes off the band's latest album, "Here Waits Thy Doom", which will be reissued on June 29 as a Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival edition with four exclusive new tracks along with a bonus DVD featuring the video for "Battles and Brotherhood", 3 INCHES OF BLOOD's performance on Fuel TV and more.

Rick Podd previously worked with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD on the "Battles and Brotherhood" video, which can be viewed below.

"Here Waits Thy Doom" sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 8 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD's previous album, "Fire Up The Blades", opened with 5,300 copies to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 147.

"Here Waits Thy Doom" was released on September 8, 2009 via Century Media Records (August 31 in Europe). The CD was recorded at Seattle's London Bridge Studios with renowned producer Jack Endino (HIGH ON FIRE).

The cover artwork for "What Lies Beneath", the forthcoming solo album from former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen, can be viewed here.

The session took place in Finland in February. Jens Boldt took the photos and Dirk Rudolph created the actual artwork.

With production handled by Tarja herself and selected tracks currently being mixed by U.K. producer Colin Richardson (famed for his work with MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and SLIPKNOT, among others), the follow-up to 2007's "My Winter Storm" "looks set to take Tarja's unique musical mix of drama 'n' decibels to a whole new level of success," according to a press release.

"We worked on 33 songs this time around from which I decided to record 17," Tarja explained. "It has been great to have the freedom to produce my own record for the first time; these sessions have been such a gift, a real learning process and a true joy. In many ways, it feels like the first time…"

The lead single from "What Lies Beneath", title to be confirmed, is tentatively due in early August, with the full album to follow later that month.

ALL THAT REMAINS singer Phil Labonte has contributed guest vocals to "What Lies Beneath". Labonte appears in the track "Dark Star", which Turunen described as a "duet." Tarja stated, "I haven't been really working with such impressive vocals before. With [Phil's vocal contributions], the song reached another dimension."

DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has confirmed that he will sit behind the kit for AVENGED SEVENFOLD for all of the band's upcoming tour dates through the end of 2010.

Commented Portnoy in a statement: "After having had such an amazing experience recording my drum tracks for the new AVENGED SEVENFOLD album, we all knew it would be awesome if I'd be able to do some touring with the band after its release...

"I am happy to say that the timing worked out perfectly that my touring cycle with DREAM THEATER (and TRANSATLANTIC) was coming to an end just as AVENGED SEVENFOLD's was scheduled begin! (Well, perfect for everyone except my poor family!) : )

"Although I wish I could stay on board with AVENGED SEVENFOLD in a more permanent capacity, the reality is that I am commited to DREAM THEATER as my main priority (that is my baby afterall!), and I will need to resume work with DREAM THEATER to start a new album at some point in 2011. However, I will be able to join my brothers in AVENGED SEVENFOLD for at least the duration of their touring throughout 2010...and hopefully this will give them the time to continue to heal and get comfortable back on the road.

"You can look at me like the band's 'rebound drummer' to buy them some time until they are comfortable and ready to make a commitment to somebody new for full-time relationship in their future!

"In the meantime, I am real excited to hit the road with the boys...to bring my drumming from their new album to life on stage and to honor [late AVENGED SEVEFOLD drummer] The Rev with all of their older material....

"Hey, do I get to have a cool, bad-ass stage name now??? : )"

Guitarist Daniel "Død" Olaisen of Norwegian death metal tyrants BLOOD RED THRONE has issued the following update:

"Some of you have noticed that Tchort has been away for a while and still are due to work and family commitments. Meanwhile, we've recruited Ivan Gujic from NEONGOD as his replacement for our upcoming live shows this year! Also, Anders decided to leave the band in February and after several auditions we're proud to announce the young, but very talented Emil Wiksten from Sweden as our new killer drummer.

"I've written three new tracks for our upcoming album and this time we'll get back to the 'Altered Genesis' style with fast and brutal shit and of course some groove as well!"

RUSH's "Snakes & Arrows Live" concert movie was certified double-platinum on April 20 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of 200,000 copies in the United States.

Only two of RUSH's studio albums — "Vapor Trails" (2002) and "Snakes & Arrows" (2007) — have failed to reach gold status (for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies) in the U.S.

RUSH is currently working on its 20th studio album with producer Nick Raskulinecz (co-producer of RUSH's 2007 CD, "Snakes & Arrows") in Nashville.

RUSH has announced the details of the "Time Machine Tour", which will kick off on June 29 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and finish on October 2 in West Palm Beach, Florida, hitting a total of 37 cities. The centerpiece of the trek will be the band's first-ever performance of its classic 1981 album "Moving Pictures" in its entirety. The group will also play other beloved tracks from its catalog as well as new songs that the band has been working on.

This will be RUSH's first road trip since touring extensively behind its 2007 studio album, "Snakes & Arrows".

"Moving Pictures", RUSH's eighth studio album, is their most successful release, with four million copies sold in the U.S. It features the hits "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight", as well as live favorites like "YYZ" and "Red Barchetta".

Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA will release their seventh studio album, "7th Symphony", on August 23. The majority of the album was produced by Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, BAD RELIGION), with two other songs produced by Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH).

The CD's first single, "End Of Me", features Gavin Rossdale, best known as the vocalist of the British alternative rock band BUSH. The album also features a number of other notable guest performances: SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo plays on "2010", "Bring Them To Light" features Joseph Duplantier, singer and guitarist of the French death metal band GOJIRA, "Broken Pieces" is a cooperation with FLYLEAF singer Lacey Sturm and "Not Strong Enough" is sung by Brent Smith (SHINEDOWN).

Willy Ehmann, Senior Vice President Sony Music Domestic GSA, states: "We are very proud that APOCALYPTICA, one of the most innovative bands in the rock genre, is going to release its new album via Sony Music again — another of the band's excellent albums, that will once again not only include classical APOCALYPTICA elements but also a host of most interesting collaborations."

Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS have issued the following update:

"After many years of great work and many shows, founding member Mike Koren [bass] has left VISIONS OF ATLANTIS due of private reasons. Mike became a daddy and his priorities have changed which we all understand and respect. We wish him and his young family all the best for the future and thank him very much for everything!

"NOW it's time to announce our new bass player! Mario Lochert (pictured below; EMERGENCY GATE) will take over the bass duties for VISIONS OF ATLANTIS from now on. He [will] record the bass for the new, yet-untitled album and he will be on stage with the band for the first time on Metalfest Austria (15th of May 2010). He has already worked with us in the past as our sound engineer on several concerts and festivals and we are all happy to welcome him on board!"

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS will enter Dreamscape Studios in Munich, Germany on May 17 to begin recording its fourth album for a fall 2010 release. The band states, "The producers [at Dreamscape] exactly know how to bring out the best of our work and we enjoy working together with such nice guys."

Working songtitles set to appear on the new CD include:

* Aeon
* Memento
* Reflections
* Gravitate Towards Fatality
* New Dawn
* Beyond Horizon - The Poem Pt. II

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' new album will mark the recording debut of the band's new singer, Maxi Nil, who joined the group last summer.

Legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), who was diagnosed with stomach cancer last November, has released the following statement:

"I would like to voice my great disappointment on the cancellation of the HEAVEN & HELL summer tour. Wendy [Ronnie's wife/manager], my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this setback could be devastating, but we will not let it be. With your continued love and support, we will carry on and thrive. There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic."

In other Dio news, a video clip of Ronnie being interviewed at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards on April 8 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles by "VH1 Classic "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk can be viewed below.

When asked about how he he been feeling since he was disagnosed with stomach cancer late last year, Dio recently told the Artisan News Service, "Well, I feel good and bad at times. It's a long process. Chemotherapy is a... I never realized what a difficult thing it was to go through. It's a real cumulative effect — the more you have, the more it piles up on top and it takes longer and longer to get over it. I find it very difficult to eat. I don't like to eat anyway, so I guess that's OK. But I know I have to. But this makes it very, very hard. But if you're determined to beat it. then you have to go with what you believe is going to beat it for you, and in this case it's that. I go to a great hospital in Houston called M.D. Anderson, which I think is the best hospital in the world, I have the best doctor in the world, Dr. Ajani, who I really trust and I really believe in, so I think I've done all the right things. It makes me feel positive about my life and positive that there is a lot more of it to live."

HEAVEN & HELL guitarist, Tony Iommi, underwent stem-cell treatment last year on an injured hand. Meanwhile, the band's drummer, Vinny Appice, had surgery on his right shoulder on November 30, 2009 for an injury sustained during the band's last tour.

HEAVEN & HELL's debut album, "The Devil You Know", entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 8 with first-week sales of 30,000 units.

In a recent online posting, Wendy Dio revealed that there are plans to release a 30th-anniversary BLACK SABBATH "Heaven And Hell" DVD sometime this year. The package is expected to include brand new interviews that Ronnie, Geezer and Appice gave to Eddie Trunk on January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, as well other extras.

Former HOLLENTHON bassist Gregor Marboe has released the following statement regarding his departure from the group:

"It is obviously always hard to take certain decisions. After having been part of HOLLENTHON for two and a half years, I needed to take this very step and call it quits. Considering the fact that before HOLLENTHON was revived I played together with Martin [Schirenc; guitar/vocals] in PUNGENT STENCH makes it an even longer period of collaboration. This, of course, does not make any decision easier.

"Primarily I cannot satisfy the band's time requirements at the moment because of personal reasons. Besides, I felt the growing urge to move on as a creative being and re-focus on my own creativity. Thus, it was about time to turn the page in my musical life and face a new chapter.

"As for HOLLENTHON, I wish the guys the best for their future!

"As for me, I had the opportunity to play some excellent shows, meet great people and make some good friends all around the place.

"I will meet you guys again and I hope to be rocking out where ever my further musical life is going to take me. That may possibly be the only thing to promise — my musical life definitely is not over!"

Less than two weeks after POISON frontman Bret Michaels was hospitalized for a massive subarachnoid brain hemorrhage, he was discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona to receive physical therapy at an undisclosed location.

"I opened my eyes, and was like, 'I am so thankful. I'm lucky to be alive," Bret told People magazine in his first interview about the ordeal. "It just wasn't my time yet!"

"I'm a believer it's a combination of will and faith [that kept me alive]," the 47-year-old singer explained. "Will — and good medical attention — and faith."

According to Bret, his family was the only thing running through his mind when he first started experiencing pain the night of April 21. "I was just sad," he said. "I was not going to have my family wake up and see me dead on the living room floor. [And, I was] sad thinking of my daughters growing up without me."

When the doctor asked if he had kids and if he wanted them to come to the hospital in case the unthinkable happened, Bret asked, "Am I dying? If I'm dying, I want to see my kids, but if I have a chance to [live], I don't want them to see me in this condition." The doctor responded, "Well, there's obviously a chance. You're still alive, and people die instantly from this."

Added Bret, "It's the weirdest thing: You feel so much love and realize in a moment, in an instant … you focus on what becomes really important. I want to continue to rock the world, and I want to continue to love my family and be a good father. I was given a second chance!"

On March 27, Oklahoma industrial/metal outfit RIKETS filmed a video for the song "Program The Dead" with director David Brodsky (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, HATEBREED, FEAR FACTORY) in Oklahoma City. The clip, which can be viewed below, features leading lady Staci Flood, who has worked with Busta Rhymes and Will Smith in addition to co-founding the BOMBSHELL BABIES and THE PUSSYCAT DOLLS burlesque cabaret revues featuring Carmen Electra.

"Release Me", a brand new song from the Michigan-based hard rock quartet TAPROOT, is available for streaming and free download at ZippoEncore.com. The song comes off the band's new album, "Plead The Fifth", which is scheduled for release on May 11 via Victory Records.

"Plead The Fifth" track listing:

01. Now Rise
02. Game Over
03. Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)
04. Release Me
05. Stolage
06. 911OST
07. Trophy Wifi
08. Words Don’t Mean A Thing
09. Left Behind
10. No View Is True
11. Stares

DEFTONES performed its entire new album, "Diamond Eyes", during a live global webcast from Dallas last night (Tuesday, May 4) via Ustream. The event can now be viewed below.

"Diamond Eyes" was released yesterday via Warner.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Diamond Eyes
02. Royal
03. CMND/CTRL
04. You've Seen the Butcher
05. Beauty School
06. Prince
07. Rocket Skates
08. Sextape
09. Risk
10. 976-EVIL
11. This Place Is Death

Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI have finished mixing their new album at WireWorld studio in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Michael Wagener, who has previously worked with SKID ROW, ACCEPT, ALICE COOPER and KING'S X, among many others. A late 2010 release is expected.

Regarding the musical direction of LORDI's new material, singer Mr. Lordi previously stated, "It is safe to say that the material is kinda 'Get Heavy' [the band's 2002 debut] LORDI-like, with a strong '80s metal feel, more melodic, and a lot less sinister and 'serious' than on [2008's] 'Deadache'. One thing is for sure, there's not gonna be cover songs on the next one either. In my mind, [a] cover's place is not on an actual album; it could serve as a bonus for a special printing or something. Like with 'The House Without A Name' [LORDI's cover of the DINGO track], for example."

"Deadache" debuted at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

LORDI's previous studio album, "The Arockalypse", has sold more than 30,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD was released in over 30 countries, including Japan, and the album was certified over triple platinum in the band's home country of Finland, gold in Germany (100,000 units), and gold in Sweden (40,000 units). The single "Hard Rock Hallelujah" achieved gold status in Germany (150,000 units).

A two-minute video teaser for the forthcoming album from Norwegian gothic metallers TRISTANIA — featuring audio samples of the tracks "Year of the Rat" and "The Passing" — can be viewed below.

TRISTANIA recently signed a new deal with Austria's Napalm Records. The band's as-yet-untitled new CD is scheduled for a summer release. Other songtitles set to appear on the album include "Vulture", "Patriot Games", "The Emerald Piper" and "Sirens".

Commented the group in a statement: "We are totally enthusiastic about [our new LP], and feel that this album will appeal to those of you who have followed us through the years. True to tradition, the new album will also bring along several surprises and elements that are new in our musical universe. Five different singers will appear on the album, and we have already announced that Pete Johansen contributes with his brilliant violin playing — for the first time since 'World of Glass' in 2001."

TRISTANIA last year announced the addition of guitarist Gyri Losnegård to the group's ranks.

The band played a couple of shows last summer with guest vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (ex-GREEN CARNATION, TRAIL OF TEARS) filling in for Østen Bergøy, including last year's Wacken Open Air festival, which was held July 30 - August 1, 2009 in Wacken, Germany

TRISTANIA in 2007 announced the addition of Italian singer Mariangela "Mary" Demurtas to the group's ranks.

The band's last album, "Illumination", was released in January 2007 via SPV. The CD was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, GRIP INC.).

C.J. Grimmark (guitar, keyboards) of Swedish epic/melodic metallers NARNIA has collaborated with the German/Norwegian metal act MASTERPLAN on a song called "Fiddle Of Time", to be included on the forthcoming MASTERPLAN album, "Time To Be King".

Commented Grimmark: "I'm proud to say that I've had the opportunity to to collaborate with one of my favorite bands, this time as a songwriter.

"The combination of fantastic compositions, skillful musicianship and one of the most soulful voices in all-time rock history, makes this particular band one of my top 10s.

"Watch out for the song 'Fiddle Of Time', track #2 on the new album 'Time To Be King' by the great MASTERPLAN.

"I share credits with Jorn [Lande, MASTERPLAN singer] and the guys on this one and it turned out awesome — thank you, guys!"

Long-running Danish rockers PRETTY MAIDS have enlisted former KING DIAMOND bassist Hal Patino.

Says the band: "Hal Patino has been a friend of the band since the eighties, and is familiar with the sound, style and history of the band, and was therefore a natural choice to take the spot as the new bass player.

Hal Patino will play his first gig with Pretty Maids on Saturday, May 8th of in Aalborg, Denmark, and we welcome Hal onboard, and hope you all will give him a good reception on the upcoming Pandemonium tour. And, oh yeah... 10 days!"

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER have issued the following update:

"Yes, everything's on it's way, we're right in the middle of recordings the successor to Ballad Of A Hangman and a lot has happened since the release of the that album. Nothing stays the same, but nothing has changed.

From January to March, we took our time for the new song-writing. Because of the appearance of Axel (Ritt; guitar), we finally returned to the virtue, that we've lost that long ago. The triumvirate of metal, Jens Becker (bass), Axel Ritt and Chris Boltendahl (vocals) battened in harmony while the whole songwriting session and created 12 explosive songs, which have the spirit of Grave Digger, two-hundred percent! Since the days of Tunes Of War and The Grave Digger, the creativity around the songwriting process hadn't been that easy going.

Axel already recorded the rhythm guitars in his own Meadow Studios, accompanied by some drum programmings done by Stefan. At the end of the month, we'll enter the Principal studios to record drums, bass, vocals, keyboards and some guitar overdubs. Of course, from now we'll keep you informed about our activities with some short video-clips. Stay tuned!

This coming weekend, we'll do some rehearsal with the whole bunch at the TLC studios, to practice all the songs on the new album and check out the live playlist for the upcoming festivals. We're highly motivated, more than this, we're
burning! The fourth decade of Grave Digger has begun! For all of you, who can't hold off their curiosity; the concept album is dead, long live the concept album!"