Joseph Suddreth of The Hornet recently conducted an interview with drummer Tomas Haake of Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Hornet: How do you feel about big-name band like METALLICA, and TOOL coming out and referencing you guys as their inspiration?

Tomas: It's a cool thing, but we as a band try to stay as far away from sounding like any one else, that's what makes us unique. But it's OK if bands use us as inspiration.

The Hornet: So how did you come up with your unique style of playing drums?

Tomas: I didn't develop that type of drumming so much as the other one developing that drumming for me. You know what I mean? We started using drum machines, and programming stuff early on in the writing. Everyone in the band has been good at that, and knowing what they want out of the drums. That type of playing was what we always wonted out of the music and riffs; you know that rhythm elastic sound. That is what made my drumming into what it is today, it not so much as my drumming influencing the music but the music making my drumming into what it is. I'm a product of the music we write because this is what we want. I didn't really have my own style, I played metal and some odd timed stuff but not this type of cyclical patterns that we use now. As the years went by that sound became what the band is. I emulate what people program on the computer.

The Hornet: What's next for you guys?

Tomas: Well, [we'll] have a live DVD probably late spring, early fall. As far as new stuff, we haven't started recording anything yet. We have a few things that didn't end up on "Obzen", just a few parts that we want to use on the next album. It's all in the vein of what we do. I'm kind of pumped to start recording again, Hopefully by the fall we will start recording, with the album being released later in 2010

Santa Barbara, California's DEVILDRIVER, the group fronted by former COAL CHAMBER singer Dez Fafara, recently entered Edge of the Earth studios in Los Angeles to begin recording the band's as-yet untitled fourth album with producer Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY).

Commented guitarist Jeff Kendrick: "I must say that the record is turning out better than I had ever imagined. The tones, performance and overall vibe has been great! I was not so sure about recording in L.A., but so far everything has been fucking awesome and we are very blessed and pleased to have Logan Mader producing. In particular, I cannot wait for everyone to hear the guitar tone. WOW!"

Bassist Jon Miller added: "As of February 1, I have finished my bass and guitar parts for the fourth DEVILDRIVER studio album. I could not be happier with how well things have gone thus far in regards to the tones of the guitars, bass and drums but especially the vocals. Not only is this the best music we have written but it is Dez's best vocal performance... hands down. Logan Mader is an absolute pleasure to work with. He has brought the best out in all of the members in DEVILDRIVER. This album will not disappoint... in fact, it may hurt you."

American "drone metal" act SUNNO))) will release its new album, "Monoliths & Dimensions", on May 5 via Southern Lord. Described by the band as "probably the most musical piece we've done and also the heaviest, powerful and most abstract set of chords we've laid to tape," the LP — the band's seventh — was recorded during 2007 and 2008 with Randall Dunn and features a host of collaborators, including Eyvind Kang, Oren Ambarchi, Jessika Kenney, Attila Csihar and Dylan Carlson, among others.

"Monoliths & Dimensions" track listing is as follows:

01. Aghartha
02. Big Church
03. Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia)
04. Alice

SUNNO))) will also make a special, one-off appearance at London's Corsica Studios on February 22, with the core duo Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson performing their 1998 debut "The Grimmrobe Demos".

According to AeroForceOne (AEROSMITH's official fan club), Fade In — a U.S.-based movie magazine — recently spoke with AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry about the classic THE BEATLES movie "A Hard Day's Night" which was released in 1964. Joe said, "I was always an outsider. I never really fit in. I was the guy standing against the wall at every school dance. But when I saw this movie in 1963-64, and saw the camaraderie these guys had as a band, it made me want to pursue music. I was going to be a marine biologist. I love the ocean. I didn't snorkel, but had always loved [Jacques] Cousteau and thought maybe I could be a part of that. But I was also intrigued by the guitar. And I ended up being in a band with all of my friends. There're a lot of films I love, but I wouldn't have followed the course that I did if I hadn't seen this film."

Perry recently issued a statement regarding the emergency knee surgery he recently underwent, which forced the band to cancel a February 1 headlining show in Caracas, Venezuela. As previously reported, Perry had the surgery because of complications from a knee replacement he had done last year. He wrote, "Recovery was going well until about six weeks ago. It got infected! At this point we don't know how or why, and after a series of tests, I had to undergo emergency knee surgery. Basically, they flushed out the knee with a lot of antibiotics. I got the call at 11 a.m. on a Thursday that I needed surgery the next day. I was in the hospital that night and had the operation the next day."

Perry added that his latest recovery was going well and that he planned to get back into the studio in a couple of weeks to keep working on the next AEROSMITH album.

He said that postponing the show in Venezuela was "unavoidable," but that the band hopes to hit the road in late spring or early summer.

AEROSMITH's next studio album will be its first set of all-original material since 2001's "Just Push Play".

According to The Pulse of Radio, SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor caused a stir last month when he revealed plans to make his first solo album sometime in the next year. The biggest question for fans was what would happen with Taylor's other group, STONE SOUR, whose last effort, "Come What(ever) May", surfaced in 2006. Taylor told The Pulse of Radio that he's keeping his priorities straight when it comes to new projects. "I think what got people up in arms is the fact that, you know, it was a question of what was going to come first, solo album or STONE SOUR?" he said. "What it comes down to is that we've put a lot of work into STONE SOUR, and for me to turn around and put out a solo album first would kind of destroy the foundation that we've built for STONE SOUR. So starting this fall, we are going to work on a new STONE SOUR album."

Taylor said he hopes to record the new STONE SOUR album next January and February, with a tentative release in the spring of 2010.

He added that he will begin work on his solo album around that time as well.

SLIPKNOT is currently in the midst of a 33-city tour that brings the band to New York City on Thursday night (February 5) for its first-ever gig at the prestigious Madison Square Garden.

SLIPKNOT's latest release, "All Hope Is Gone", has been certified gold for moving more than 500,000 copies since its arrival last August. It was also the band's first No. 1 debut on the Billboard chart.

"On & On", the new video from Irish rockers THE ANSWER, can be viewed below. The clip, which was directed by Isaiah Seret ("Wanted") and shot in U.S. while the band was on tour with AC/DC, combines the raw unadulterated performance of THE ANSWER in a very cool setting.

"On & On" comes off THE ANSWER's forthcoming second album, "Everyday Demons", which will be released in Europe on March 2 (March 31 in the U.S.) via the German record label Steamhammer/SPV. The CD was produced by John Travis (KID ROCK, STATIC-X, etc.) and mixed by Tim Palmer and Mike Fraser (who recently mixed AC/DC's "Black Ice").

"We've been on tour almost constantly for two years, have seen a lot of the world and made a lot of important experiences — a development that you can hear on 'Everyday Demons'," says guitarist Paul Mahon.

THE ANSWER's debut North American title "Never Too Late", is a limited-edition two-disc set that bundles a four-song EP and a bonus DVD featuring previously unreleased footage.

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release "One Eye To Morocco" — the first studio album with all-new material in 10 years from legendary DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan — on March 31 through subsidiary Eagle Records (prebook date March 11, retail sales price $13.98).

Check out the cover artwork below.

Produced and recorded in Canada with maestro Nick Blagona, the music was written by Ian Gillan together with longtime collaborator Steve Morris, as well as Michael Lee Jackson and Rodney Appleby — who both performed on the "Gillan's Inn" U.S. tour, as featured on the double album/DVD "Live in Anaheim" (released through Edel Entertainment).

The musicians are:

Michael Lee Jackson - Guitar
Rodney Appleby - Bass
Howard Wilson - Drums
Joe Menonna - Saxophone
Lance Anderson - Hammond Organ
Jesse O'Brien - Keyboards

The voice is instantly recognizable; Ian Gillan's unique style draws you in. "One Eye To Morocco" goes deeper into the roots of rock and roll, soul and blues, than any other Ian Gillan solo album.

The CD is the most adventurous and complete album Ian Gillan has recorded in his long career. His distinguished style admired by generations of DEEP PURPLE fans is showcased, as well as his musical versatility. The title track is a seductive orchestration supporting Gillan's entrancing style, followed by the pure rock and roll of "No Lotion For That", while "Better Days" and "Always The Traveler" are inspired soul ballads.

"From a café in the Jewish Quarter of Cracow, where the conceptual seeds were sown, to harvest time at a Toronto studio, this is a magical journey for me," says Gillan. "Sitting alone in my room, waiting for no one to call me, lost in a dream of my own…"

"One Eye To Morocco" track listing:

01. One Eye To Morocco
02. No Lotion For That
03. Don't Stop
04. Change My Ways
05. Girl Goes To Show
06. Better Days
07. Deal With It
08. Ultimate Groove
09. The Sky Is Falling Down
10. Texas State Of Mind
11. It Would Be Nice
12. Always The Traveler

The cover artwork for "Inherit The Void", the sophomore full-length album from the Finnish metal band PROFANE OMEN, can be viewed below. Due on March 4 through Playground Music Scandinavia, the CD was recorded with producer Ville Sorvali of MOONSORROW and Aleksanteri Kuosa.

"Inherit The Void" track listing:

01. Seconds (intro)
02. Base
03. Information
04. Superpowertrip
05. I Have Seen
06. Left To Disintegrate
07. In The Middle I Breathe
08. Right To Retaliate
09. Generation Doom (Count Me Out)
10. Dealers Of Guilt
11. Dodge

A studio diary documenting the recording sessions can be found at this location.

Commented the band: "'Inherit The Void' is recorded and mixed and we as a band and human beings have given everything we had in us. This album simply is the best piece of work we have been able to pull off so far.

"If you are willing to lay down and listen to this album in peace for the first time, I promise it will be a small 'trip.' The songs are all linked to each other, by the texts, but also by the feeling in the music. Using the words 'theme album' would sound a bit too much pseudo-artistic crap, so let's say that this album is a description of our time and the lives we live. It is made of somewhat incoherent thoughts interpreted and five dudes totally playing together.

"Oh, and don't you be expecting some over-compressed-everything-as-loud-as-possible concrete. We wanted this album to also breathe and have some real dynamics on it. The sound is somehow close to an old-school vinyl sound, with soft, but rich upper frequencies and a big bottom that still doesn't eat all the dynamics from the sound. Hope you will enjoy it this way, at least we do."

Based in Lahti, Finland, PROFANE OMEN was formed in 1999 and released its debut album, "Beaten into Submission", in 2006. An EP, "Disconnected", followed in 2007.

PROFANE OMEN is:

Jules Näveri (ENEMY OF THE SUN) - Vocals
Antti Kokkonen (Andy J. Bonfire) - Guitar
Williami Kurki - Guitar
Tuomas Saarenketo - Bass
Samuli Mikkonen - Drums

Norwegian stoner metal band KRAKOW has issued the following update:

"We're currently working on our debut album in Duper Studio, Bergen. We have been working hard toward this session since we finished the European tour, so we are really excited about this. We have finished recording three songs: 'Oblivious', 'Art of Motion' and 'Drifter'. Our goal is to record nine songs, put eight on our album, and keep one as a B-side to a 7" vinyl single. I have to say that the songs so far sound pretty fucking heavy! Hopefully you will hear some teasers in a not-so-distant future.

"We are sorry to announce that we have to cancel the support gig for SHINING; a certain member of KRAKOW is attending the Roadburn Festival at that time.

"Anyway, we're having a good time recording and see you soon!"

KRAKOW's debut is being helmed by producer Iver Sandoy (MANNGARD) and is executive-produced by Ivar Peersen (Peersen Productions, ENSLAVED), who said about working on the album: "First time I heard KRAKOW, I thought this is a band that's going somewhere! Their choice to go with stoner/classic metal/hard rock might not be ground-breaking in itself; it is how they do it — how they mix it up with elements from all ranges of the wondrous world of metal: the melodic, the extreme, the heavy, the powerful and the psychedelic foundations are all there. When they asked me to produce their debut album I immediately jumped on the chance to be a part of this band's evolution from the get-go!"

Formed in 2005, KRAKOW released an EP in 2008 titled "Dusty Roads".

Following the departure of long-standing bassist Steve Scott in early January 2009, British melodic power metallers POWER QUEST have announced that the search for a replacement is now over. The group's new bassist is Oliver Holzwarth, who has been a touring member of the legendary German power metal band BLIND GUARDIAN since 1997. In addition to this, he has also worked with Tarja Turunen (formerly of NIGHTWISH), PARADOX, DEMONS & WIZARDS and his own band SIEGES EVEN.

POWER QUEST keyboardist and founder member Steve Williams commented: "We are absolutely thrilled to have recruited a musician of Oliver's caliber into the band. His combination of musicianship and experience will be a fantastic addition to POWER QUEST, as we head forward into 2009. Welcome aboard, mate!"

Oliver added: "When I got in contact with Steve for the first time, it instantly became quite clear that we share the same ideas and visions. Consequently, I joined POWER QUEST. Quite a musical challenge that I am looking forward to mastering with dedication and inspiration. Great to play with you guys!"

Catch the new POWER QUEST line-up at ProgPower USA on September 11, 2009 and at Metalfest UK on September 26, 2009.

POWER QUEST's latest album, "Master of Illusion", was released last spring via Napalm Records/Avalon Marquee (Japan). Guest musicians on the CD include keyboardist Richard West from the UK progressive metal band THRESHOLD, Jorn Viggo Lofstad from the Norwegian power metal act PAGAN'S MIND and FOURWAYKILL singer Chris Neighbour.

Just like the Fulda show on Friday 7th, the Prague show at the Roxy on Feb 8th is sold out as well, whereas there are few more tickets available for the Bratislava show. Anyone in Germany who wants to see Edguy has the chance to catch them at their rescheduled shows in Cologne and Oberhausen on February 11th and 12th. Edguy want to take the opportunity to thank their loyal fans who made this tour the most successful European tour ever.

Due to a "manufacturing error," the North American release date of the "A Knot Of" DVD from Japan's DIR EN GREY has been pushed back to February 24 from the previously announced February 3 (via The End Records). The DVD follows the band through three long mettle-testing years on the road, giving fans a window into DIR EN GREY's unique world.

"A Knot Of" features:

01. Tour 2005: It Withers And Withers
02. Rock Am Ring 2005 / Rock Im Park 2005
03. Showcase Tour / Tour 06 It Withers And Withers
04. Rock Am Ring 2006 / Rock Im Park 2006
05. Tour 2005-2006 It Withers And Withers Final / Tour 2006
Inward Scream
06. The Family Values Tour
07. Tour 2007 Inward Scream
08. Deftones U.S. Tour 2007 Summer
09. Wacken Open Air / Ankkarock Festival
10. Tour 2007 The Marrow Of A Bone

According to News.bg, Ivan Nestorov, co-president of Sofia Music Enterprises, commented on the rumors that AC/DC are demanding a fee of 3 million levs (approximately $2 million) to perform in Bulgaria.

Said Nestorov: "AC/DC have no fee — this is nonsense! Stars of such a magnitude have no fees? The money the artists get is distributed on the principle of percents and on the basis of the tickets' price, capacity, expenses, etc. and usually no fees are determined.

"I can't give you any details on the tickets' price for a possible AC/DC concert, because nothing is certain yet. If we get a confirmation, we'll naturally give a press conference and announce all details necessary!"

"We have been negotiating with many artists throughout the seventeen years of hard work. Only musicians from Mars are not in our negotiation schemes," joked Nestorov.

Swedish metallers STEEL ATTACK have issued the following update:

"We're sad to announce that [guitarist] Simon Johansson (MEMORY GARDEN, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA) has left the band 'due to personal reasons.' There's no bad feelings between us, it just didn't work.... simple as that! We bow and thank you Simon, for your time and efforts!! At the same time, we're very glad to announce the return of Johan Jalonen Penn! Welcome back, Johan."

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers AFTER FOREVER have issued the following statement:

"After nearly 15 years and with heavy hearts, we have decided to call an end to a great and exciting time as AFTER FOREVER. We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished, and especially of the road we took to get here. AFTER FOREVER has never been a band that repeated itself; we always tried out new things, even though many of them were certainly done at a risk. We think that that has been one of the reasons we've always enjoyed enormous support from all our loyal fans.

"The break we took in 2008 made us appreciate all the more what we'd experienced. Now more than ever, we can look back on so many fantastic moments, something we never would have expected to be part of when we started the band all those years ago. However, that break also made us aware of the fact that we can only continue AFTER FOREVER with the energy, the full 110%, that we have always put into it and we've noticed lately that there is something missing. We have always been musicians who create music with lots of passion, and during the break we built up our own lives again and have been musically active and experimenting in several genres.

"Although AFTER FOREVER is very special to us, we feel that we have reached the point where we need to explore the world of music in each of our own different ways. Thus, we've decided to quit while we're ahead. We are sincerely proud of every CD; each album represents a unique period, and all comes together in our last album 'After Forever', which made all of our dreams possible. We hope AFTER FOREVER will continue to be a source of inspiration for new bands and musicians alike so that our music can live on.

"As band members, but also as friends, we've experienced so very much; highs and lows, good times and bad. We'll keep supporting each other in all of our various individual projects and continue inspiring one another in making music.

"Our MySpace page will be used for updates on all of these projects and, of course, AFTER FOREVER-related news, as well.

"You can be sure that this is not an easy decision for any of us. We'd like to thank all of our fans for their support, also during the break.

"We know that this will be a big disappointment to you, dear fans, and it makes it that much harder for us. You have always given us your all and it was our pledge, in turn, always to give at least as much back to you for as long as we exist. In this moment, that's unfortunately just not possible, so we'd rather leave you all the albums and gigs we achieved with maximum input. We'd also like to thank Nuclear Blast, TEG and MOJO for their patience and enthusiasm, the live crew, the fan club, the fan sites and everybody who's helped in every way possible.

"We'll miss you all."

"Tears of Autumn Rain", the new single from the Finnish melodic death metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW, will be released in Finland on February 18 via KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy. The single's title cut, which features guest female vocals by by Miriam Renvåg (RAM-ZET) and Heidi Parviainen (AMBERIAN DAWN), is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page. The second track on the single is a reworked version of "Vilda Mánnu", which was the title cut of the band's second album, released in 1998. The cover artwork for single was created by Travis Smith and can be viewed below.

"Tears of Autumn Rain" was recorded at Tico-Tico, Note On and Finnvox studios in Finland and Space Valley studios in Norway. It was mixed at Finnvox studios in December 2008 by Mikko Karmila.

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW's current lineup:

Altti Veteläinen (growling vocals, bass)
Jarmo Kylmänen (clean vocals)
Jarmo Puolakanaho (guitars)
Risto Ruuth (lead guitars)
Janne Tolsa (keyboards)
Juho Raappana (drums)

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW is currently recording its sixth album, which is tentatively expected in April 2009 via the Finnish label KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy. As was the case with the band's previous five LPs, the forthcoming effort is being recorded at Tico-Tico Studio in Kemi, Finland. The as-yet-untitled CD has already been licenced to Massacre Records (which will be release the album in Europe excluding Finland) and Marquee/Avalon (which will make the record available in Asia).

Bassist Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE, BLOTTED SCIENCE) has finished recording a guest appearance on the debut album from TIWANAKU, the central Florida-based metal band featuring Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY) on vocals, Emo Mowery (ex-NOCTURNUS) on guitar/vocals and Mike Estes (BURNING INSIDE, ACHERON) on guitar.

Commenting on Webster's contribution to a track called "Today in Battle", Mowery stated, "Alex is one of the most professional and humble musicians we have had the pleasure to work with. When we called him to ask if he would like to record a song with us, there was no hesitation with him at all. Alex did a very proficient and awesome job!! We gave him full rein to pick whatever song of ours he wanted to do, let him do his thing with it, and the finished tracks came out phenomenal! We couldn't be happier with the results!"

TIWANAKU's full-length debut is being produced by Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, QUEENSRŸCHE, DOKKEN) and is tentatively due before the end of the year via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

The band recently posted two new demo tracks on its official web site. Check out "Playing God" and "Ghost War" at this location.

The group stated in a press release: "For those familiar with the EP released by TIWANAKU several years ago, the essence of that genesis has been captured, intensified and is ready to be unleashed as a truly new breed of beast."

The "director's cut" version of the video for the unedited song "Throes Of Perdition" from Florida metallers TRIVIUM can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's latest album, "Shogun", which has sold 66,000 copies in the United States since its late September release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD follows up "The Crusade", which opened with 31,000 copies in October 2006 to land at No. 25.

"Shogun" was released in North America on September 30, 2008 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was mixed in London by Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, NAPALM DEATH), with Jeff Rose and Martin "Ginge" Ford assisting on engineering duties.

The German edition of Metal Hammer magazine has compiled a list of the 111 greatest death metal songs of all time as selected by the visitors to the Metal-Hammer.de web site. More than 15,000 votes were cast, with the top spot going to CANNIBAL CORPSE's "Hammer Smashed Face".

Top 10 death metal songs of all time, as selected by Metal-Hammer.de visitors:

01. CANNIBAL CORPSE - "Hammer Smashed Face"
02. ARCH ENEMY - "We Will Rise"
03. DEATH - "Crystal Mountain"
04. AMON AMARTH - "Pursuit Of Vikings"
05. VADER - "Carnal"
06. SEPULTURA - "Arise"
07. CARCASS - "Heartwork"
08. IN FLAMES - "Only For The Weak"
09. KATAKLYSM - "In Shadows And Dust"
10. BEHEMOTH - "Christians To The Lions"

According to Ickmusic, a new controversy brewing on the interwebs is the similarity between BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's new album opener "Outlaw Pete", and KISS' 1979 foray into disco, "I Was Made For Lovin' You". Similar, yes. But does it tread into COLDPLAY/JOE SATRIANI territory? Listen to the two tracks below and judge for yourself.

"I Was Made for Lovin' You" originally appeared on KISS' 1979 album "Dynasty". It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album. It was the band's second gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard singles chart. The song also became a Top 10 hit in Australia reaching No. 6 on the ARIA charts in 1979. The song fared the best in Western Europe (Where it became a Top 20 hit in Sweden, a Top 10 hit in Norway, made it to the No. 2 position in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and in Holland it became a No. 1 smash).

ANGRA/ALMAH vocalist Edu Falaschi will produce the debut album from the Brazilian metal band ARTEMIS. The follow-up to ARTEMIS' "Fields Of Ascension" EP, tentatively titled "Therefore Realm" (cover), will be released before the end of the year.

Commented ARTEMIS drummer Pedro Senna: "We are all great fans of the work of Edu Falaschi. For us, having him as a producer is a dream realized! The anxiety is enormous at the start working with him, and all our new ideas into practice."

ARTEMIS is:

Rafael Dias (Vocals)
Gabriel Soto (Guitars)
Nathan Grego (Guitars)
Victor Danilevicius (Bass)
Pedro Senna (Drums)

Croatian gothic/doom metal band ASHES YOU LEAVE will release its new album, "Songs Of The Lost", on March 23 through the Greek label Sleaszy Rider. "Songs Of The Lost" is the gorup's first album in seven years (and fifth overall).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Apathy Overdose
02. The Feast
03. Stranded
04. The Song Of The Lost
05. Every You Every Me (PLACEBO cover)
06. Taints
07. Losing Fate
08. Where The Pain Is
09. Soul Of Ice

Swedish artist Andreas Söderlund is responsible for the complete artwork.

The first song from the album, "Stranded", is available for streaming at the band's MySpace page.

ASHES YOU LEAVE is:

Tamara Mulaosmanovic - Vocals and Keyboards
Berislav Poje - Lead guitar and Vocals
Marta Batinic - Violin
Matija Rempesic - Guitar
Luka Petrovic - Bass
Insanus - Drums

HeavyLaw.com has uploaded the cover artwork (see here) for "First War Of The World", the fourth album from the German black/Viking metal band BLACK MESSIAH, which is scheduled for release on March 20 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Of Myths and Legends" includes "13 songs of high-class pagan metal."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Prologue - The Discovery (2:53)
02. The Vanir Tribe (5:54)
03. Gullveig (8:08)
04. Von Rachsucht Und Luege (5:34)
05. March Of The Warriors (0:39)
06. Vor Den Toren Valhalls (6:23)
07. The Battle Of Asgaard (7:10)
08. The Chase (1:20)
09. Burn Vanaheim (5:36)
10. Das Unterpfand (5:51)
11. Peace At A High Price (0:54)
12. Andacht (9:41)
13. Soeldnerschwein (4:36)

The song "Burn Vanaheim" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

BLACK MESSIAH is:

Zagan - Vocals, Violin, Guitar
Garm - Bass
Zoran - Lead Guitar
Meldric - Guitar
Agnar - Keys, Synths
Bröh - Drums

New Jersey-based hardcore/metal act BURNT BY THE SUN has entered Trax East studios in New Jersey to begin recording its long-awaited third full-length album, "Heart Of Darkness". The follow-up to 2003's "The Perfect Is The Enemy Of The Good" is being produced by Eric Rachel, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and A LIFE ONCE LOST, among others. A late spring/early summer release via Relapse Records is expected.

BURNT BY THE SUN recently posted a new demo track, "F-Unit", at this location. A visual preview of the track can be viewed here.

Dutch melodic death metal band GOD DETHRONED will release its new album, "Passiondale", as a limited double digipak edition including a bonus CD. The double-digipak will feature stunning artwork (soon to be revealed) and two discs: the regular album plus a live recording from 2005 featuring nine songs!

"Passiondale" track listing:

01. The Cross of Sacrifice
02. Under a Darkening Sky
03. No Man's Land
04. Poison Fog
05. Drowning in Mud
06. Passiondale
07. No Survivors
08. Behind Enemy Lines
09. Fallen Empires
10. Artifacts of the Great War

"Live in 2005" bonus CD track listing:

01. Nihilism
02. Boiling Blood
03. The Warcult
04. Soul Sweeper
05. The Art of Immolation
06. Villa Vampiria
07. The Last Zip of Spit
08. Sigma Enigma
09. The Serpent King

"Passiondale" will also be released on vinyl, limited to 666 copies.

The album will be issued on April 24 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and April 27 in the rest of Europe via Metal Blade Records.

The CD was recorded at Soundlodge studios in Germany with producer Jörg Uken.

Welsh metallers ANTERIOR have announced the addition of drummer Andrew Cairns to the group's ranks. "Andrew did a great job on our recent U.K. jaunt with ALL THAT REMAINS and THE HAUNTED and has now become a full-time member of ANTERIOR," the band says in a statement. "We are very pleased to have him in the fold and we feel that he is a great addition to the band. We are now a complete five-piece again and cannot wait for the next appearance as a new band at Hellfire Festival in London soon!"

ANTERIOR is busy writing the follow-up to its 2007 Metal Blade debut, "The Age Of Silence". "We will be recording the album at Grindstone Studios with the mighty Scott Atkins (SYLOSIS, ROMEO MUST DIE, MADMAN IS ABSOLUTE) and are aiming to have the record out for late summer 2009 with some exciting and fast material to entice your ear drums," the band says. "We are really excited to once again be a complete band and will have a new album and touring schedule within the coming months."