Irish rockers THERAPY? will release their new studio album, "Crooked Timber", on March 23 via Global Music.

For the past two years, THERAPY? fans have eagerly awaited the band's return. Now they're back with a hard-edged recording that will really get under your skin and into your mind.

According to the group, "Crooked Timber" focuses more on rhythm, rather than melody. While it is a heavy recording, it’s not exactly the obvious path for THERAPY? Frontman Andy Cairns explains: "I guess we’re always challenging just what makes us THERAPY? After so many years, if we were formulaic about it, we'd have gotten bored with the band long ago. The album was written together as a band, and each track has its own concept and inspirations. They took a while to write and we've taken our time to write them."

"Crooked Timber" was produced by Andy Gill, a founding member and guitarist for the English rock group GANG OF FOUR, considered among the most influential post-punk bands. Gill also produced much of GANG OF FOUR's output, and albums for many other artists, including the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, THE JESUS LIZARD, THE STRANGLERS, THE FUTUREHEADS, MICHAEL HUTCHENCE, KILLING JOKE and THE YOUNG KNIVES.

According to a press release, "Versions of new [THERAPY?] songs like 'The Head That Tried To Strangle Itself', 'Low Winter Sun', 'I Told You I Was Ill' and 'Mingusisyphus' illustrate the classic mix of intense instrumentation and dark pop that has made THERAPY? internationally renowned. Whilst most of their '90s peers have been content to follow the options of rehash/reform/rollover, the UK trio have always carved their own unique musical furrow bolstered by a formidable live reputation and a stream of chart hits."

THERAPY?'s latest album, "One Cure Fits All", was released in April 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "Never Apologise Never Explain" was produced by Pedro Ferriera, who had previously worked with COLOUR OF FIRE, THE DARKNESS and TOKYO DRAGONS, among others.

Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL have launched a special Christmas calendar containing daily specials such as clips from the "Any Means Necessary" video shoot, which took place in Belgrade, Serbia, videos from the band's rehearsal room, funny photos, singer Joacim Cans' recipe for Christmas cookies and other cool stuff. This can be found on the band's official homepage.

Says the band: "Christmas is soon upon us, and we in HAMMERFALL have a special treat for you: every day from now until Christmas Eve, there will be a new surprise behind the doors in our special Advent calendar and with a huge grand opening on the 24th. So be sure to check back daily for an exclusive look on the new and improved HAMMERFALL!"

"Any Means Necessary" is the first single off the band's eighth full-length album, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", due on February 20, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in part at Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden and includes an instrumental written by the group's latest addition, guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE POODLES, TALISMAN, GREAT KING RAT), as well as a song entitled "One of a Kind", which was composed as a collaboration between HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak and IN FLAMES axeman Jesper Strömblad (who was a member of HAMMERFALL in the band's earliest incarnation). The cover artwork was created by Sam Didier, while Thomas Ewerhard was responsible for the CD layout.

"No Sacrifice, No Victory" track listing:

01. Any Means Necessary
02. Life Is Now
03. Punish And Enslave
04. Legion
05. Between Two Worlds
06. Hallowed Be My Name
07. Something For The Ages
08. No Sacrifice, No Victory
09. Bring The Hammer Down
10. One Of A Kind
11. My Sharona (THE KNACK cover)

Pontus Norgren joined HAMMERFALL as the replacement for Stefan Elmgren, who left the band in early April to focus on his new career as a pilot.

HAMMERFALL's "Masterpieces" CD — a collection of all the covers the band has recorded to date plus three previously unreleased versions of other artists' songs — entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 69. Meanwhile, HAMMERFALL's "Rebels With A Cause - Unruly, Unrestrained, Uninhibited" DVD chronicling the last few years of the band's career landed on the German chart at No. 81 (German chart rules allow music DVDs to enter album charts).

The band will embark on a European headlining tour in early 2009, with support from SABATON and BULLET.

Italian avant-garde metallers EPHEL DUATH have announced the addition of vocalist Guillermo Gonzales to the group's ranks.

EPHEL DUATH guitarist and founding member Davide Tiso comments: "Guillermo has been close to EPHEL DUATH for some time — he almost joined the band before in 2003! He was going to take the place of the clean vocalist Davide Tolomei, who left EPHEL DUATH after 'The Painter's Palette'. Then we realized that Guillermo's aggressive vocal approach was going to clash with Lucio and we all agreed to abandon the idea. In any case, from that moment on Guillermo started to be very active with EPHEL DUATH, helping me with lyrics and the development of the concepts so far. The whole idea behind the songs 'Vector' and 'Vector Third Movement' from 'Pain Necessary To Know' come from a conversation we had together. More recently, he was the person that pushed me to write the short stories I did for 'Through My Dog's Eyes'.

"I always thought that one day I was going to have a band with my friend Guillermo, then when Lucio realized that he was forced to abandon the band, we both agreed that he was the right person to call to properly continue the activity of EPHEL DUATH. We are already working so hard, that I didn't have the time to realize how excited I am to start this new adventure... What I know is that I'm really, really happy and genuinely trusting for the future of my life, and my band."

New vocalist Guillermo is a professional poker player and the band even plan to finance some future tours through playing poker.

Guillermo comments: "I've been in the Italian extreme metal scene since 1992. For 15 years I've been the lead singer of MOTHERCARE, one of the most important Italian underground extreme metal bands (boasting collaborations with NAPALM DEATH and NASUM). I met Davide in 2002 when we both lived in Venice. He's been my dearest friend since then. We often tried to do something together, but our roads always went in different directions. Now it seems our roads have finally become one.

"Two months ago I left MOTHERCARE because of internal contrasts and I felt like my life was over. Two weeks ago Davide told me that Lucio was going to quit and asked me to become EPHEL DUATH's new singer. A new life started. Lucio is a great performer and has been a great partner for Davide; I'm honored to be his heir and I'm insanely excited about being in a band that I always considered one of the most innovative and original in today's music.

"In my 'regular' life I am a poker journalist and a professional poker player. Since 2006 I'm the editor in chief of Poker Sportivo, the main Italian poker magazine. I live now in Verona but I'm often touring Europe to follow all major poker tournaments. I've got a blog where I write about my poker life, cinema, music, creative writing and other stuff."

Check out Guillermo's blog at manglewax.blogspot.com.

Luciano Lorusso George, vocalist for EPHEL DUATH since 2003's "The Painter's Palette", was forced to leave the band for economic and personal reasons. EPHEL DUATH have always been a band of coincidence and change, constantly evolving, and as fate would have it, after recording an album about a dog, Luciano has become a full-time dog groomer — the irony of which has not been lost on main man Davide.

Davide states: "Lucio is together with me the guy who has always believed most in this band so far. The news about his departure has been shocking, especially for him as he had no choice — and he never thought about his life without the band. I'm so sad he's no longer part of this project, especially after all the work he's put into 'Through My Dog's Eyes'. EPHEL DUATH has always tried to surmount any obstacles put in its path and this is probably one of the most difficult we've ever faced, but we will continue because challenges are the roots of this band and it's what makes us stronger. And after recording an album about a dog, who can fault fate with this twist they've laid upon us?"

A new EPHEL DUATH track entitled "Guardian" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off "Through My Dog's Eyes", which is scheduled for release on January 26, 2009 through Earache Records. Check out the cover artwork by Seldon Hunt here.

San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD have been forced to cancel their remaining two performances on the SLIPKNOT tour in Antwerp and Luxembourg, in the wake of guitarist Phil Demmel collapsing onstage again during the band's second-to-last song Friday night (December 12) in Sheffield, England.

Says bassist Adam Duce: "After considering the seriousness of Phil's health condition, we all feel that skipping these last two shows is the best thing to do. It's a bummer to end this tour like this after doing nine amazing weeks and three continents with SLIPKNOT, but getting Phil back to the States to get checked out is the most important thing right now. Our sincerest thanks to SLIPKNOT and CHILDREN OF BODOM for their support and understanding, we understand that it's a big disappointment to the fans, and Phil is very sorry about it, but we all feel that his health and safety is most important at this time."

Swedish black/death metallers THE LEGION, who feature in their ranks former MARDUK drummer Emil Dragutinovic, have issued the following update:

"The recording session for our third opus is finally coming to an end. We've just finished off mixing nine astonishing songs, which we're about to master with Peter In de Betou in Tailor Maid Production studios by the end of January. By that time we will have an exclusive new song [posted on our official web site], so be sure to check it out. We will be back with launch dates for the album as soon as we get them."

THE LEGION parted ways with Kjetil Hektoen last year. The remaining members of the band handled the vocals on the new material, which was previously described as "a bit more epic and 'majestic,' but at the same time very sick and twisted. The intensity is still there for sure but, we've focused more on getting the right feel, instead of getting entangled in technical twists."

THE LEGION released its sophomore album, "Revocation", in February 2006 via Listenable Records.

AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen has tapped former PORCUPINE TREE drummer Chris Maitland to record the drum tracks for his new project. The recording sessions took place November 9-12 (listen to a sample).

Commented Arjen: "We recorded Chris Maitland's drums last month at RS 29 (the studio where I recorded drums for the first five AYREON albums). Not only did he live up to my (admittedly high) expectations; he surpassed them! I've been a big fan of his drumming ever since I heard PORCUPINE TREE's 'Signify' in 1996, and particularly since seeing him play live with them."

Arjen added, "Chris's playing has it all: great energy and power coupled with a perfect groove and flawless technique. I almost worked with him on AYREON's 'The Dream Sequencer' in 1999, but that didn't work out at the very last moment. The project I'm currently working on was just screaming for his particular style; the music is subtle at times but also quite heavy and challenging in places. Chris's performance during the sessions was brilliant, and now I'm really enjoying recording the vocalist, who comes to my studio to record one song every couple of weeks. I realize that artists say this all the time, but I truly believe that this will be my strongest side project yet!"

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR entered the studio on November 28 to begin recording their new album, "16.6", due in early 2009 via Frontiers Records.

The group has issued the following update:

"Another week, another very intensive work in the recording studio — all instruments are recorded, percussion and orchestra parts are recorded. We changed some lyrics and some song titles, as always, last minute.

"Magnus [Karlsson, guitar] is just on his way back home to Sweden and still left some open mouths in the House Of Music [studio]! Not only regarding his phenomenal guitar playing, he added some more stange string instruments and a lot of good vibes to the production!

"Ralf [Scheepers, vocals], Mat [Sinner, bass] and Dennis [Ward, producer] are working on the vocal and choir parts."

TORTURE DIVISION — the new Swedish death metal project featuring guitarist Lord K. Philipson (THE PROJECT HATE, GOD AMONG INSECTS, ex-LEUKEMIA), bassist/vocalist Jörgen Sandström (VICIOUS ART, THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE) and drummer Tobias "Tobben" Gustafsson (VOMITORY) — has completed work on the third demo in the band's first trilogy. Titled "Our Infernal Torture", the three-song effort was mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, HAIL OF BULLETS, NOVEMBERS DOOM) and is available for free download at this location.

Commented the group: "We started this band with the intention of handing everything out for free and we'll continue to do just that. Download the demo (no, we don't sell any physical copies — you have the goddamn covers and everything available for download, print the fucken demo(s) yourself) and spread it on torrent sites, Rapidshare or whatever. Just get the fuckin' thing out there. Have people discover the world's best fucken death metal. Do the same with our two previous demos, thank you. After that — support us by buying our coming merchandise. All the money we get from that go straight into the recording of the first part of the next trilogy and future shirts. Just as we have done all along. No need to change a winning concept, right?

Guitarist Mick Box of legendary progressive rock veterans URIAH HEEP has issued the following update:

"Well, here we are heading towards the festive holiday season once again after a year of many ups and downs. The release of [the new URIAH HEEP album] 'Wake The Sleeper' was a highlight after us waiting all of that time. There were moments of despair all round with delay after delay, but it came good in the end. The response from the fans and media worldwide has been wonderful and it is a good feeling that we are heading into 2009 with all guns blazing after a fabulous European tour behind us.

"We have travelled what seems like a trillion miles on tour buses, planes, boats and cars but it has all been worthwhile as the reaction to the show has been brilliant. There are not many bands that can say they have performed the entire new CD on stage but we took the gamble and it really paid off. We still managed to play some notable classics in the process so everybody was happy.

"There were some strange venues and I guess there were no stranger than the prison show but such is the spirit in HEEP that we can do these things and take it in our stride and pull it off. There are so many countries left to play in 2009 and we are looking forward to seeing you all out on the road for some more good honest rock 'n' roll HEEP style. It was really cool to be nominated in the best CDs of 2008 in Classic Rock magazine and thanks to all of you that voted.

"It is time now that we focus on our families to celebrate Christmas and New Year and we wish you all, the very best Christmas ever and an even better New Year. As we raise a glass or three to toast everyone's good health please have a thought for those less fortunate and indeed the many homeless people that are out there sleeping on the streets.

"You have heard me say this many times but it is always said straight from the heart, we thank every one of you sincerely who bought 'Wake The Sleeper' and the 'Wake The Sleeper' merchandise and a big thanks to those that came to the concerts as we really do appreciate your support. Have a fantastic time and we look forward to seeing you all in 2009!"

Sweden's HELLFUELED is currently mixing its fourth album with producer Rikard Löfgren (DEATHSTARS, SPARZANZA) for an early 2009 release. Twelve new songs, including one instrumental, were recorded over a seven-week period at Leon Music studios.

Commented the band: "Producer Rikard Löfgren feels totally right for us and we are working as a team on making some new arrengements and stuff on the songs. It almost feels like recording the first album again now with a new pruducer and studio. This is good!"

HELLFUELED's third album, "Memories in Black", was released in early 2007 via Black Lodge Records. The CD was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producers Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten. Swedish multi-instrumentalist/artist Snowy Shaw (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL) to created the artwork and took photos for the album.

HELLFUELED's second album, "Born II Rock", came out in 2005 via Black Lodge.

U.K. atmospheric progressive doomsters PANTHEIST have now returned home after a hugely fruitful tour with SKEPTICISM and OPHIS which took them across mainland Europe, with the band gracing for the first time countries such as Slovakia, as well as new venues in familiar countries (for example, a church in Belgium).

Pictures and other artefacts from the "Exorcising the Funereal" tour have been added to PANTHEIST's official web site.

There are plans to re-release PANTHEIST's debut album, "O Solitude", which has been sold out for a while, in 2009 with completely new artwork. Furthermore, the band is in negotiations with Firebox Records to have all three of its albums released on vinyl over the next two to three years.

Although no specific dates have been booked yet, there are plans for PANTHEIST to play three gigs in Finland around the end of May.

PANTHEIST's third album, "Journey Through Lands Unknown", was released in October by Firedoom Music, an extreme doom metal specialist label of Firebox Records.

"Journey Through Lands Unknown" was recorded and mixed by Greg Chandler at Priory Studios, and mastered by Rik Dowding at Sonic Mastering.

Four audio snippets from the forthcoming, as-yet-untitled new album from Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS — "Hammer Of Doom", "If I Ever Die", "Demon Of The Deep" and "Funeral Dreams" — have been posted on the MySpace page of the European branch of Nuclear Blast Records. They will be available online until January 10.

CANDLEMASS bassist/songwriter Leif Edling recently stated about the album: "We've worked on [the CD] all autumn and it feels really good that it is completed. The sound is superfat, heavy as hell, and very organic/dynamic at the same time. Our friend Chris [Laney; RANDY PIPER, ZAN CLAN] has done a great job mixing it!! I personally think this album is the best one of the three we have released in the new millennium, easy!! It is bigger, better, louder and a bit more mature, I must say!! It is our 'Heaven And Hell', hehe. . . The only thing that pisses me off is the fact that we can't call it 'Hammer Of Doom', after one of the songs on it. A brand new stupid festival in Germany calls themselves that! Who spilled the beans??? Well, well… the album absolutely KILLS and we will surely come up with a suitable name for it."

Fan-filmed video footage of CANDLEMASS performing at the Sweden Rock Cruise, which was held October 9-10, can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "blackopalrough").

CANDLEMASS has been confirmed for next year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 14-16, 2009 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England.

"Lucifer Rising", the new EP from CANDLEMASS, in October entered the Greek International Repertoire Chart at position No. 31.

"Lucifer Rising" includes two brand new tracks — "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God" — plus re-recorded version of "Demon's Gate" live in the studio. As a bonus, you get an audio recording of most of last year's gig from Athens, Greece: "At The Gallows End", "Solitude", "Emperor Of The Void", "Devil Seed", "Under The Oak", "Mirror Mirror", "Of Stars And Smoke", "Black Dwarf" and "Samarithan".

CANDLEMASS' last CD, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Swiss female-fronted symphonic rock/metal band LUNATICA will release its fourth album, "New Shores", on February 27, 2009 via Napalm Records. Michael Levine (Hans Zimmer's arranger; "Pirates of the Carribean", "The Rock") has provided his expertise on one track. In addition, Jimi Jamison (former SURVIVOR vocalist) and John Payne (ex-ASIA) reportedly guest on two songs.

The track listing is as follows:

01. New Shores
02. Two Dreamers
03. The Incredibles
04. The Chosen Ones
05. Into The Dissonance
06. The Day The Falcon Dies
07. Farewell My Love
08. Hearts Of A Lion
09. My Hardest Walk
10. Winds Of Heaven
11. How Did It Come To This

Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band THEOCRACY has written and recorded a Christmas track called "Rudolph Vs. Frosty". The song has been released for free to the public and is available for download at the group's web site.

THEOCRACY released its new album, "Mirror of Souls", in Europe on November 21 via Ulterium Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. on December 9 through Nightmare Records. The Japanese version, which came out on November 25 through Soundholic, contains the exclusive bonus track "Wages of Sin".

"Mirror of Souls" was mastered by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and the booklet was designed by Felipe Machado Franco (ICED EARTH, AYREON, AT VANCE).

SOULGRIND, the Finnish band featuring former LULLACRY frontwoman Tanja "Whisper Lilith" Kemppainen (a.k.a. Tanya), has inked a deal with the new U.K.-based record label Femme Metal Records. The band's ninth album is tentatively due in late 2009.

SOULGRIND's latest CD, "Pakana", was released in February 2007 via Holy Records.

"Pakana", was recorded at D studio and is scheduled for a February 2007 release. "Pakana" is the follow-up to "The Origins of the Paganblood", which was issued in January 2005 via France's Holy Records.

SOULGRIND's current lineup:

Azhemin (THY SERPENT) - Vocals
Ms W Lilith (ex-LULLACRY) - Vocals
Lord Heikkinen (TWILIGHT OPHERA, GLOOMY GRIM, FIERCE) – Guitar
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Agathon The Beast (GLOOMY GRIM) - Drums
TByte (TWILIGHT OPHERA) – Guitar

New Jersey metal titans GOD FORBID have unveiled the artwork and track listing for their new album, "Earthsblood".

Commented guitarist Doc Coyle: "The album layout and our spiffy new MySpace design were both done by our new partner in crime and artistic virtuoso Gustavo Sazes. Based out of Brazil, he hasn't done many American bands.

"For 'Earthsblood', we thought it would be great to go with someone who isn't one of the usual suspects for album design in modern metal. The cover turned out much better than we ever hoped. It fully captures the dark and organic, yet emotional atmosphere of the album. The detail and abstract imagery is haunting and beautiful. The color scheme is perfect. I assure you all that the rest of the layout is just as impressive as the cover. Hopefully it will give people incentive to want to buy the CD (as opposed to downloading) to be able to enjoy the artwork first hand. This is my favorite GOD FORBID album artwork to date!"

"Earthsblood" track listing:

01. The Discovery
02. The Rain
03. Empire of the Gun
04. War of Attrition
05. The New Clear
06. Shallow
07. Walk Alone
08. Bat the Angels
09. Earthsblood
10. Gaia (The Vultures)

"Earthsblood" is scheduled for release on February 24 in North America and February 16 in Europe via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Eric Rachel (ATREYU) with Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY, THREAT SIGNAL) handling all vocal tracking. The mixing was handled by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH).

Regarding the album's title, guitarist Doc Coyle previously stated, "The title 'Earthsblood' came to me after watching the film 'There Will Be Blood'. What is the price of ambition? Is the blood of our bodies and the blood of the earth one and the same? With the current energy crisis, and its relation to many of the military conflicts worldwide, there has been a global, collective consciousness that has emerged in regards to the interdependence between humankind and the planet in which we inhabit. Coincidentally, the lyrics that Byron Davis and Dallas Coyle had written meshed with these revelations perfectly. This isn't a preachy, trendy, 'hip-to-be-green' album, nor is it a concept album. It's just an abstract observation."

Tampa, Florida-based grindcore act SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY has finished recording its Nuclear Blast debut, "The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry", with legendary guitarist-turned-producer James Murphy (DEATH, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY) at the helm. A March 2009 release via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

"The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry" track listing:

01. 10,000 Sermons, One Solution
02. The Realization That Mankind is Viral in Its Nature
03. Cattle
04. Agenda
05. Pity the Living, Envy the Dead
06. Despot
07. A Path
08. Automated Oration and the Abolition of Silence
09. One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy
10. Colossus
11. Retrograde and the Anointed
12. Of Worms, Jesus Christ, and Jackson County Missouri
13. The Tamagotchi Gesture

Check out the album artwork below.

S.W.W.A.A.T.S. features former members of BODIES IN THE GEARS OF THE APPARATUS and DEHUMANIZED. Drums on "The Grand Partition and the Abrogation of Idolatry" were handled by Mike Heller of MALIGNANCY.

SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY recently announced the addition of drummer Pete Lamb, bassist Matt Simpson and samplist Jen Muse to the group's ranks. Former members Mike Petrak and Jesse Jolly decided to leave to pursue their other musical endeavors full-time.

To hear tracks from S.W.W.A.A.T.S.'s previous demo EP recording "Subhuman Empire", visit the band's MySpace page.

Former EVANESCENCE guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody will release a solo album on March 3, 2009. The CD will feature a guest appearance by young Montana alternative rock/acoustic solo artist Hana Pestle, who is signed to Moody's label, FNR Records. Pestle's sound carries a unique blend of influences as diverse as RADIOHEAD, SARAH MCLACHLAN, and THE CRANBERRIES. Hana Pestle is now touring the Midwest, performing her songs "These Two Hands", "Just a Phase" and her own haunting rendition of "Hallelujah". She will appear tonight (Tuesday, December 16) at Juanita's in Little Rock, Arkansas where she will be joined by Moody.

Since his departure from EVANESCENCE in 2003, Moody has collaborated with some of the hottest stars in the music business; the established and the up-and-comers. His songwriting and producing credits include working with AVRIL LAVIGNE on her second release "Under My Skin", penning "Nobody’s Home", "This Time" with CELINE DION, "What About Now" from CHIS DAUGHTRY, and Moody co-wrote and produced the smash hit "Because of You" with David Hodges for KELLY CLARKSON.

The reason for Moody's new direction, FNR Records, is simple. He explains: "After going to such great lengths to protect the integrity of a project during the creative process, it seemed almost sinful to let the major label monster destroy it."

Roadburn, Europe's preeminent festival for stoner, doom, psychedelia and other colored metal, sold out in just 45 minutes after the tickets went on sale last Saturday, December 13.

Walter of Roadburn comments: "We still can't believe that the 2009 festival sold out so quickly. It was utter mayhem when the tickets went on sale last Saturday. Many of the tickets were gone before the regular Roadburn attendees realized that sales had even started. Unfortunately, about 150 to 200 tickets are currently being sold through secondary ticket outlets for prices up to 350 euros. We feel very badly that Roadburn can't prevent this from happening, but it's not against the law to resell tickets in the Netherlands. Please be very aware that some of these scalpers may sell fake tickets."

Roadburn Festival 2009, including the inaugural European version of NEUROSIS' acclaimed Beyond The Pale festival, will be held April 23 through April 25 at the 013 venue, Tilburg, Holland. There's an additional afterburner event scheduled for Sunday, April 26.

The lineup for Roadburn 2009 includes SAINT VITUS, MOTORSPYCHO, AMON DUUL II, CATHEDRAL, BARONESS, OM, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE OUTSKIRTS OF INFINITY, WINO, THE YOUNG GODS, SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE, ROSE KEMP, MONO, ASVA, SHORA, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, along with NEUROSIS and many others.

According to The Pulse of Radio, David Coverdale says he told Jimmy Page to back off on trying to reunite LED ZEPPELIN for a world tour and record a band album with superstar guest vocalists. Coverdale, who teamed up with Page for the short-lived 1993 COVERDALE-PAGE album and tour, explained to Uncut, "My suggestion to him when I saw him in the summer was to do what Carlos Santana did with 'Supernatural'. Get a selection of people in, because there's no question John Paul Jones writes fucking kick-ass music. I said Joe Elliott and me would come in and do a track rather than the focus be on one person."

He went on to say, "Will people be willing to see three-quarters of the family with a guest — a cousin twice removed? I'm as curious as anyone to see how it works out... Change is good as long as you fucking deliver. I hope it comes together for him because, Jesus, he deserves it."

Coverdale says that his most cherished collaboration was his 1993 team-up with Page, which led him to rethink how he chooses guitarists. "When I worked with Jimmy Page, that was totally inspiring for me, and you can hear that on the COVERDALE-PAGE album," he said. "And that was a great parameter for me to look at. The only people I would be prepared to work with are ones who would, who I'd feel could drive me, inspire me to go for notes I've never gone for before."

Danish symphonic black metallers ILLNATH have parted ways with longtime keyboardist Tyr and are currently seeking replacement. Interested parties can contact the group at email@illnath.dk.

ILLNATH's third album, "Three Nights in the Sewers of Sodom", was recorded at Borsing Studios. The CD is expected to be released via Spain's Deathlight Records following the band's split with Worldchaos Production (which was supposed to put out the band's long-completed second full-length offering, "Second Skin of Harlequin").

German/British melodic hard rock band PINK CREAM 69 will film its special 20th anniversary concert on January 24, 2009 at the Festhalle in Karlsruhe-Durlach, Germany for a forthcoming double-DVD package with the current working title of "The Past & The Present". The group's first DVD will also contain the entire "Size It Up! - Live In Japan 1992" concert (with former singer Andi Deris; previously only released on VHS tape), all of the band's promotional videos, backstage footage, and several bonus tracks from the band's recent festival appearances such as Masters Of Rock in the Czech Republic or Das Fest in Germany.

The cover artwork for "Protected Hell", the new album from German death metallers DISBELIEF, can be viewed below.

DISBELIEF will enter MX studio in Buchen, Germany in January 2009 with producer Michael Mainx to begin recording "Protected Hell" for an April 17, 2009 release via Massacre Records. The LP will be available as a limited-edition digipack and regular jewel case CD. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Nemesis Rising", "The Hell Goes On", "Room 309", "A Place To Hide" and "The Dark Soundscapes".

Next to gangst rap, the music that probably inspired the most controversy in Western Europe in the '90s and 2000s was black metal — and one of black metal's most controversial and notorious figures has been Norwegian singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Varg Vikernes (a.k.a. Count Grishnackh), who was given a 21-year prison sentence for the 1993 murder of MAYHEM guitartist Oystein Aarseth (a.k.a. Euronymous), and for arson attacks on Christian churches. But all the shocking headlines that have surrounded Vikernes haven't hurt the CD sales of his BURZUM project — if anything, all the negative publicity has inspired morbid curiosity in some people who aren't necessarily big black metal fans and made them want to hear what his music sounds like.

For the first time, BURZUM's catalog is now officially available on iTunes.

Audio samples of all the tracks that appear on "Evisceration Plague", the forthcoming album from Tampa, Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, are available on Amazon.com.

"Evisceration Plague" is scheduled for release on February 3, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Kill" was produced by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL) at his Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Commented bassist Alex Webster: "In CANNIBAL CORPSE, our goal has always been to try and make each new album we record our heaviest. That goal was a bit more challenging this time since we were extremely satisfied with our last album 'Kill', but we knew that by working with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios again, we would be able to start at that same level of heaviness and take it even further. Now that we can hear the finished product, I would say we've been able to achieve this goal, and I think our fans will agree. 'Evisceration Plague' has the best guitar sound we've ever recorded, and the entire band has never played with more precision and power. We can't wait until you all get a chance to hear the album in early 2009, because we think you'll be as happy with it as we are."

"Evisceration Plague" track listing:

01. Priests of Sodom
02. Scalding Hail
03. To Decompose
04. A Cauldron of Hate
05. Beheading and Burning
06. Evidence in the Furnace
07. Carnivorous Swarm
08. Evisceration Plague
09. Shatter Their Bones
10. Carrion Sculpted Entity
11. Unnatural
12. Skewered From Ear to Eye

"Evisceration Plague" will be available as a limited-edition digipack including a bonus track and bonus DVD, jewelcase CD and on limited splatter vinyl.

"Time Immemorial", the new video from Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY, can be viewed here. The track appears on the group's concept album, "The Incurable Tragedy", which sold 1,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The clip, which features vocalist Stu Block in a prominent role, was filmed in Montreal in August, just before the group embarked on the Summer Slaughter Canada tour. That trek was followed by a run alongside the legendary ICED EARTH, which capped off a year that also saw the band tour with SYMPHONY X, AT THE GATES and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, among others.

Commented Block: "It was really cool and, to be frank, kinda creepy doing some silent acting in the video. I've done some acting in high school and some extra work in Vancouver, so I was sorta familiar with what to do. So, hey, Rob Zombie, I'm ready man; throw me in yer next slasher flick!

"It was a long day for everyone — 14 hours, I think. I don't think we knew what to expect from the video because the focus was more on the acting sequences as opposed to band performance, which was kind of weird for us. Everyone involved with the video were really laid back and cool, and the other actors and actresses were really awesome and helped me out if I had any questions. (They are the pros, after all!)

"We filmed the video in Montreal at a haunted house that had been turned into a nightclub/restaurant, so it was a treat both for us to be filming a video in Canada and for me being a horror movie buff, as I was definitely in my element. I was hoping for a ghost sighting or for people to start disappearing periodically, but well, that never happened.

"We were really pressed for time near the end of the shoot due to the fact we had to pick up our tour manager from the airport since we were going to start a new tour, but what a way to start a tour! I think all in all we are happy the video is finally finished, and we hope our fans enjoy it!"

Montreal extreme metallers DESPISED ICON will release their first DVD, "Montreal Assault Live", on January 27 via Century Media. The disc features a "stellar" multi-camera shoot from the band's sold-out hometown show, alongside a new hour-long documentary and all of the band's promotional video clips.

A live version of the track "The Sun Will Never Charm Us" taken from the forthcoming DVD is available for vieweing below.

Commented vocalist Alex Erian: "The live mix sounds so massive. It was done by none other than our former guitarist Yannick St-Amand. You can even listen to it in 5.1 Surround. Our buddy Felix also created some of his sickest artwork yet.

"The shooting and editing of the show went awesome. David Brodsky (IN THIS MOMENT, UNEARTH) and his team captured tons of adrenaline-packed moments.

"On January 27, you'll be able to relive the live action, the stage dives, the circle pits, the kicking and the screaming that made this 'Montreal Assault' hometown show a night to remember. The DVD also includes a new hour-long documentary by Reconstructed Media that retraces the band's career, showing never-before-seen footage of us living on the road, hanging out, partying, recording, playing shows back in the day and more."

French metal/gothic band AD INFERNA, which features SETH mainman/vocalist Arkames, has issued the following update:

"We are fully recording the [new] album. The keyboad tracks and the drums are completed. The bass is underway and the vocals (Asphodel and Arkames) are for the days or weeks ahead. Everything will be achieved in February because Xort (ANOREXIA NERVOSA) has scheduled to work mixing and mastering the eight tracks at the Drudenhaus Studio and the MasterLab.

"The photo session of the opus took place last Sunday (December 14) in Bordeaux, skilfully led by Gwen and Ellie in makeup. Three models were present to sustain the substance to the official photos... more news on this subject soon.

"The release date of the album is delayed but meantime, we're preparing a track exclusively for you and MySpace: very soon!

"Finally, we expect to sign with a label to officially announce its name! Many good things then."

AD INFERNA's debut album, "L'Empire des Sens", was released in 2002 via Silverdust Records.

AD INFERNA is:

V.Orias.A – Guitar, Bass
As-Mody – Keyboards, Bass
N.Aboriim - Drums
Arkames - Vocals

Finnish metal band PROFANE OMEN has completed work on its sophomore full-length album, "Inherit The Void", for a March 2009 release through Playground Music Scandinavia. The group once again recorded the effort 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: "So. It is done. '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.

"That's all for now, we are still thinking about our options concerning the mastering, but there's still some time until March. This album is hopefully going to give something to at least least some of you."

PROFANE OMEN vocalist Jules Näveri, who is also a member of ENEMY OF THE SUN, recently helped out fellow Finns AMORAL for one gig after their vocalist left the group.

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

PROFANE OMEN's promotional video for the song "Rewind" can be viewed here.

Finnish atmospheric and melodic death/doom metal band ABLAZE IN HATRED has completed work on its second album, "The Quietude Plains", at Noisecamp Studios with producer Kari Nieminen. The follow-up to 2006's "Deceptive Awareness" will be released in February 2009 through Firedoom Music.

"The Quietude Plains" track listing:

01. A Walk Through The Silence
02. Perfection Of Waves
03. The Wandering Path
04. Beyond The Trails Of Torment
05. The Quietude Plains
06. My Dearest End
07. Therefore I Suffer

The song "The Wandering Path" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.