Swedish heavy metal band WOLF entered Studio Seven in Örebro, Sweden on September 17 to begin recording its fifth album, tentatively titled "Ravenous", for an early 2009 release via Century Media Records. Producing the effort is Roy Z, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, SEBASTIAN BACH, HALFORD, HELLOWEEN and BRUCE DICKINSON, among others. A studio diary has now been launched on the band's MySpace blog.

The band comments: "It is an honor and a great privilege to get to work with Roy. We're big fans of his work and we are 100% sure that he'll fuel the black flame that is WOLF. He knows his heavy metal and so do we!?"

Roy Z states: "I first heard WOLF a few years back when a good friend of mine was cranking 'Evil Star' in his car. Since then WOLF have been one of my favorite new bands. The opportunity came up for me to work on the new album, so I am off. I am looking forward to be a part of the new recordings with the lads. The new tunes rock so to Sweden I will roll to be a part of a great new CD with the WOLF gang! I am ready to howl!"

OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has contributed vocals to a song entitled "Stockholm" for the upcoming, as-yet-untitled album from OSI (OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INFLUENCE), the project featuring FATES WARNING guitarist Jim Matheos and ex-DREAM THEATER keyboardist Kevin Moore. The track was recorded by David Castillo at Castillo Sound studios. A 2009 release via InsideOut Music is expected.

OSI has spent the past several months working on its third album. According to Moore, "Gavin Harrison (PORCUPINE TREE) is playing drums on this one; he's nearly done tracking and it sounds great. Along with guitar, Jim is handling bass this time. I still get to sing but may get some help."

OSI's previous recordings featured DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy on drums.

The band's last release was the 2006 EP featuring three remixes of "Free" album tracks. InsideOut Music issued a CD version of the EP, which also included a video for the song "Free" (see below) directed by Andreas Nilsson.

OSI's "Free" album featured a guest appearance on five tracks by FATES WARNING/ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera.

DOWNSPIRIT, the new band formed by SYMPHORCE/ex-FREEDOM CALL guitarist Cedric "Cede" Dupont, has announced its complete lineup. Joining the blues/metal-oriented formation from Germany/Switzerland is Mitch Koontz (bass, GODIVA) and Sebastian Dunkel (drums).

DOWNSPIRIT was originally formed in early 2008 by Dupont in order to fulfill his longtime dream of playing in a band that is dedicated to the combination of blues and metal music.

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, DOWNSPIRIT is currently in pre-production for its upcoming debut album, which is expected to be released in mid-2009. "Blending old blues roots with a modern, downtuned guitar-feel, their songs are a mixture of typical bluesy '80s hard rock and a contemporary metal sound, which also includes some electro loops," according to a press release.

German progressive black metallers SECRETS OF THE MOON have issued the following update:

"We are proud to annonce that K.S.A. has joined SECRETS OF THE MOON as a permanent member. His skills and his exigent nature just feel right for the band and he already contributed some extremely good ideas to what will become the new album."

SECRETS OF THE MOON parted ways with guitarist A.D. in July 2008.

A.D., who had significant input in the songwriting for the band's latest album, "Antithesis" (2006), explained his decision: "Due to my all-dominant negativity, I cannot extract a single good aspect from representing my music live on stage any more. Thus the time on the road has been horrible for me. After I hit rock bottom the last time, I decided to stop it all."

SECRETS OF THE MOON belongs to the most prestigious group of bands in the German black metal underground, with their first demo release dating back to 1995. The band was formed out of the ashes of one of the very first black metal outfits stemming from German scene, MARTYRIUM.

Guitarist Mark Howitzer of Australia's long-running blackened death/thrash outfit GOSPEL OF THE HORNS, has issued the following statement:

"After 16 years of beer sweat and hell, I have decided to bring GOSPEL OF THE HORNS to an end. We would like to thank the many friends we have made around the world during our journey…..and hail to Darragh from Invictus for his unending support. He has given GOSPEL every opportunity to drive our thrashing mayhem out to all. The time is right to move on to new horizons, and we are content in knowing that we have given everything we had in our arsenal. Our final show will be on the 7th December 2008 with GRAVE in our hometown of Melbourne. This show will be one hell of a mighty occasion!"

GOSPEL OF THE HORNS' second full-length album, "Realm of the Damned", was released last year via Invictus Productions.

GOSPEL OF THE HORNS previously split in 1996 but reformed a year later.

Portuguese metal act VERTIGO STEPS, the ambitious offspring of Bruno A (ARCANE WISDOM, UNDERSTREAM, REDSTAINS), has made the song "Synapse (Sleepwalking Metaphorms)", featuring guest vocals by Stein Roger Sordal (ex-GREEN CARNATION), available for free download at the band's MySpace page. The track comes off VERTIGO STEPS' forthcoming self-titled debut album, which was recorded at UltraSoundStudios with Daniel Cardoso. The material shall, according to its author, "travel through a melancholic and cinematic metal, with moments of groovy dementia shifting with others of pure, almost post-rock introspection."

"Vertigo Steps" (cover) track listing:

01. Steps to Vertigo (In.Through)
02. Vultures in My Dying Bed
03. The Swarming Process
04. Fire Eaters
05. Serpent's Irony
06. Scarheart
07. The Gruesome Smile
08. Pain Inc.
09. I of the Storm
10. Synapse (Sleepwalking Metaphorms)

The project's recording lineup consists of the following musicians:

* Bruno A - All music & vertigo words. guitars, loops & samples, keys, programming, mind-jerking
* Niko Mankinen (MISERY INC) - vocals
* Daniel Cardoso (HEAD CONTROL SYSTEM) - drums, backing vocals
* Alexandre Ribeiro (BLEEDING DISPLAY, LAST EXIT, DESIRE, GROG) - fretless bass

Guest musicians:

* Stein Roger Sordal (ex-GREEN CARNATION) - guest vocals
* Sophie (UNDERSTREAM) - guest vocals
* Rui Viegas (A STORY OF DUST, ARCANE WISDOM) - guest vocals and flute
* André L Vasconcelos (ex-HORDES OF YORE, ARCANE WISDOM) - guest vocals

VERTIGO STEPS is currently seeking a suitable record label to release the album.

FIREBIRD, the British band led by former CARCASS/NAPALM DEATH guitarist Bill Steer, has set "Grand Union" as the title of its fifth album, tentatively due before the end of the year via an as-yet-undisclosed label. The CD was recorded and mixed over a two-week period in May 2008 at Berno studios in Malmö, Sweden where FIREBIRD's second album, 2001's "Deluxe", was conceived.

"Grand Union" features a couple of tracks that are "way heavier than the stuff from the last two records," according to Steer, plus no less than three cover versions: JAMES TAYLOR's "One Man Dog", DUSTER BENNETT's "Worried Mind", and a HUMBLE PIE number.

FIREBIRD's current lineup includes Bill Steer (vocals, guitar), Ludwig Witt (drums) and the band's latest addition, Smok Smoczkiewicz (bass).

FIREBIRD released its most recent album, "Hot Wings", in Europe in July 2006 via Rise Above Records. The CD was issued in Japan on May 31, 2006 through Victor Entertainment.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/firebirdblues.

UVTV's web site has been updated with the entire performance from Maryland-based extreme metallers DYING FETUS, filmed at The Penny Arcade in Rochester, New York when the band was on tour earlier this year.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Schematics
02. In Times Of War
03. Homicidal Retribution
04. We Are Your Enemy
05. Streaks Of Blood
06. Rape Your Mother Kill Your Dog
07. Unadulterated Hatred
08. Pissing In The Mainstream
09. Blunt Force Trauma
10. Insidious Repression
11. Raped On The Alter
12. Praise The Lord (Opiate For The Masses)

DYING FETUS is among the confirmed bands for the eighth edition of the Trois Rivières Metalfest, set to take place November 7-8, 2008 at the Bâtisse Industrielle in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.

DYING FETUS's video for the track "Homicidal Retribution" can be viewed below. The clip was lensed by director Frankie Nasso (MUDVAYNE, HATEBREED, ALL THAT REMAINS) and producer Kim Resteghini for Raging Nation Films (TRIVIUM, SHADOWS FALL, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, UNEARTH) at Philadelphia's historic Eastern State Penitentiary. The video's premise is that of an accused man spending a life-time in prison.

Vocalist Kelly Shaefer of the reactivated seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST has issued the following update:

"So I will be heading to [Atlanta, where ATHEIST drummer Steve Flynn is based] just after [daughter] SkyeLilly's birthday [November 11] zipping back home for Turkey Day [Thanksgiving], and then back to the lab for more technical metal brewing. We hope to have [the new ATHEIST album] ready by spring 2009 and then it's off for some/lots touring and hope to hit some countries we have not been to as well as ones we have not been to since '93. Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, as well as, of course, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia etc."

In January 2006, Kelly Shaefer reassembled much of what was widely considered ATHEIST's classic recording lineup (Shaefer, bassist Tony Choy, and drummer Steven Flynn) to perform a select number of one-off shows to celebrate the re-issue of their wildly-influential catalog (1988's "Piece of Time", 1993's "Elements", and the 1991's legendary "Unquestionable Presence"). Among those shows were performances at such legendary festivals such as Germany's Wacken Open Air, Norway's Hole In The Sky, Italy's Evolution, England's Bloodstock Open Air, and the Los Angeles' Murderfest.

Proressionally filmed video footage of ATHEIST performing the song "And the Psychic Saw" at the Wacken Open Air 2006 festival in Wacken, Germany can be viewed below.

Finnish goth-rock quartet SINAMORE has parted ways with guitarist Tommi Muhli. Tommi stated about his decision to exit the group, "Leaving a band that have been one third of my life for several years have been by far the most difficult decision I've made but at the same time it feels easy as we as friends knew we were heading the wrong way. We tried to avoid facing the facts maybe too long but now after we gathered the courage to do it, it all seems the best thing for the future of SINAMORE."

SINAMORE's video for the track "Better Alone", taken from the group's second album, "Seven Sins a Second", can be viewed below. Released in November 2007 via Napalm Records, the CD was recorded at Villvox Studio with Juho Räihä (BEFORE THE DAWN, GLORIA MORTI) and Aleksanteri Kuosa.

Regarding the musical direction of the follow-up to 2006's "A New Day", the band previously said, "The new material follows the musical direction found on the last tracks that made their way onto 'A New Day' ('Misery Carnival', 'Drama for Two', and 'Fallen'). The songs are deeper, more melancholic and powerful, and definitely more metal than on the previous album."

SINAMORE was previously signed to the Japanese label WorldChaos Production.

"The Roundhouse Tapes", the long awaited new DVD from Swedish progressive metallers OPETH, will be released in Europe on Peaceville Records on October 27 (UK - November 10, USA – November 11).

The DVD will be premiered on November 4 with a special screening at the Prince Charles Cinema in London. The screening will be introduced by the band, who will also be available to sign copies of the DVD following the screening. In addition to the DVD, exclusive merchandise will also be on sale at the cinema.

A limited number of tickets for this special evening are available to purchase from the cinema (www.princecharlescinema.com / 0870 811 2559) for only £10 (plus 50p booking fee).

"The Roundhouse Tapes" contains a critically acclaimed OPETH performance recorded at The Roundhouse, London in 2006. Described by Rock Sound as "a show of spectacular greatness in this legendary venue … an amazing performance by one of Europe's premier epic metal bands," the DVD perfectly captures the band in scintillating form playing a selection of classics from throughout their career.

A mini-site featuring a trailer for the DVD, info on the release, downloads and more is now online at this location. The site also offers a free MP3 download of the track "Bleak" to anyone who signs up to the mailing list.

The special edition of the DVD, packaged in a deluxe rigid digibook inside a hard slipcase, with postcards of each band member, an exclusive art booklet featuring the work of Travis Smith (renowned OPETH sleeve designer) and "The Roundhouse Tapes" booklet, is also available to pre-order from the mini-site.

"The Roundhouse Tapes" (cover) track listing:

01. When
02. Ghost Of Perdition
03. Under The Weeping Moon
04. Bleak
05. Face Of Melinda
06. Night And The Silent Water
07. Windowpane
08. Blackwater Park
09. Demon Of The Fall

Extras:

* Interview with band
* Fan interviews
* Soundcheck
* Photo gallery

British extreme metallers ANAAL NATHRAKH have issued the following update:

"Mick [Kenney] has finished writing the next ANAAL NATHRAKH album and is currently deep in the belly of Necrodeath studios hammering it into shape. Vocals will be recorded in February by Mr. V.I.T.R.I.O.L. and we hope for the album to be released in June."

ANAAL NATHRAKH's latest album, "Hell is Empty, and all the Devils are Here", was released in October 2007 via Feto. The CD includes guest vocals from CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN's Josama Bin Horvath and Dirty Von Donovan from EXPLODER, as well as an appearance by Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) on bass.

ANAAL NATHRAKH performing at Hellfest in Clisson, France – June 2008:

U.D.O., the German band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, has been forced to cancel the three Ukrainian dates (Kharkov, Odessa, Lugansk; November 25-27) on its upcoming tour. The promoter for those shows has issued the following statement:

"We've got an extra situation with last three cities in Ukraine. Due to unexpected political changes, Ukranian parliament had stopped its activity and new elections ahead in early December, local promoters are not able to reserve the venues. Once local promoters book the venue in a few days they receive official mail with strong requiments to change it. But you know about the lack of venue options here. It looks like three last Ukranian shows need to be cancelled."

Dutch death/thrash metal act DETONATION has issued the following update:

"We are very proud and excited to announce that Michiel van der Plicht (ex-PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT, TOXOCARA) has decided to join DETONATION permanently.

"We are positive that his skills will help bring the band to a new and even more powerful level.

"A week ago, we started practicing the new songs in the practice space. Apart from being a big challenge to play it sounds like we're writing some of our most intense and brutal (not to mention fastest) stuff ever."

Video footage of DETONATION performing the song "Into Sulphur I Descend" live at the Heavy X-Mass Fest at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands on December 23, 2007 can be viewed below.

DETONATION's latest effort, "Emission Phase", was released on April 30, 2007. The CD was recorded with Split Second Sound's Jochem Jacobs (also guitar player for TEXTURES) and Bouke Visser. The cover artwork was created by Eliran Kantor.

"Emission Phase" is DETONATION's third and final album for French underground label Osmose Productions.

HATE AMMO, the new Umeå, Sweden-based band featuring members of NAGLFAR, ASSAILANT, LIVE ELEPHANT, THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE and BONE GNAWER, has issued the following update:

"We just finished our rehearsal for today. More songs are in progress, and we hope to share them with you soon! Four songs are done and ready: 'Seeds', 'When The Tide Begins To Rise', 'Far Beyond Hatred' and 'My Own Way'."

HATE AMMO recently posted the track "Far Beyond Hatred" on its MySpace page.

The group, which is currently unsigned, consists of the following musicians:

Peder Sundqvist - Vocals
Ronnie Björnström - Guitar
Henke Mikaelsson - Guitar
Olov Norberg - Bass
Morgan Lie - Drums

At 4:48 p.m. on October 5, 2008, legendary lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (a.k.a. Richard Hugh) and singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night (Candice Lauren) were pronounced husband and wife. It was a small gathering of friends and family at at Castle on the Hudson. Ritchie was overheard saying, "This is the first wedding I've been to where I'm not looking for the exit sign!!!"

Check out photos from the wedding at BlackmoresNight.com.

"Secret Voyage", the latest album from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, recently entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 14 and Finnish chart at No. 38.

"Locked Within The Crystal Ball", the new video from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, can be viewed below.

Other members of the band include Bard David of Larchmont (keyboards/vocals), Earl Grey of Chimay (bass/rhythm guitar/vocals), Squire Malcolm of Lumley (percussionist), and Gypsy Rose (violin/vocals).

Inspired by their international performances, and assimilating the various melodies from the continents they've traversed, many of the 12 new tracks on "Secret Voyage" have been adapted from the folk traditions of numerous countries including France ("Gilded Cage"), Russia ("Toast To Tomorrow"), Germany ("Prince Waldeck's Galliard") and England ("Peasant's Promise"). Add to that two stunning covers done distinctively in BLACKMORE'S NIGHT's strongly identifiable style — the 1961 ELVIS PRESLEY hit "Can't Help Falling In Love" and RAINBOW's "Rainbow Eyes" — and some entrancingly poignant originals.

Finnish metal band PROFANE OMEN has launched a studio diary documenting the recording sessions for the group's upcoming album. PROFANE OMEN is once again working with producer Ville Sorvali of MOONSORROW and Aleksanteri Kuosa.

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's promotional video for the song "Rewind" can be viewed below.

NOVEMBRE's third album, "Classica" (1999), which is hailed as a masterpiece of atmospheric and progressive doom/death metal, is due to be re-released by the band's current label, Peaceville Records, on October 27. The reissue will include three bonus tracks of rare demo recordings. Pre-orders are being taken at this location.

"Classica" reissue track listing:

01. Cold Blue Steel
02. Tales from a Winter to Come
03. Nostalgiaplatz
04. My Starving Bambina
05. Love Story
06. L'Epoque Noire (March The 7th 12973 A.D.)
07. Onirica East
08. Foto Blu Infinito
09. Winter 1941
10. Outro - Spirit of the Forest (Tales...Reprise)

Bonus tracks:

11. Colour Of An Eye
12. Tales from a Winter to Come (demo version)
13. Winter 1941 (demo version)

Ever since their formation in 1990 under the name of CATACOMB, the Italians have risen to become one of the leading names in atmospheric death/doom metal; having recently released two albums on Peaceville Records with "Materia" (2006) and last year's highly acclaimed "The Blue".

"Classica" evoked many traits of progressive death metal, and is often compared to the earlier works of OPETH. Intricate melodic guitar passages effortlessly skip between acoustic atmosphere and distorted heaviness to give a good contrast to the album's overall sense of mood. The vocals of Carmelo Orlando further heighten the emotion with impressive clean vocal passages blending with the classic "growled" style so familiar to the genre.

The album was recorded at Outer Sounds Studios in Rome in 1999 and was mastered by Andy La Rocque at Los Angered Studios in Sweden.

NOVEMBRE's latest album, "The Blue", was released in November 2007 via Peaceville Records. The CD was recorded at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS).

HELLOWEEN's video for the song "Paint a New World" can be viewed here. The track comes off the German group's twelfth studio album, "Gambling with the Devil", which was released in October 2007 via SPV.

The regular "Gambling with the Devil" album consisted of eleven songs (plus an intro, spoken by SAXON's Biff Byford) with a total playing time of 57 minutes and 40 seconds. For the band's many faithful fans, there was also a limited first edition (40,000 units in a digipak with an embossed and stamped slipcase released in Europe, and 10,000 units in a jewel case in the U.S.) with a bonus CD featuring two extra tracks, the video for the first single "As Long As I Fall", and a "making-of" of the video, including interview sequences.

Under the direction of producer Charlie Bauerfeind, HELLOWEEN recorded a total of 16 songs at the Mi Sueno studios in Tenerife. The focal point of this diverse album is a three-part epos consisting of the chapters "The Bells of the Seven Hells", "Falling to Pieces" and "I.M.E.", which represent the ambiguous album title that thematically covers all the songs. "At the end of the day, life is a gamble with the devil," singer Andi Deris explained. The cover artwork was designed by Martin Häusler ("Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy" and "Live on 3 Continents") again.

Sick Drummer magazine has posted exclusive footage of the reunited seminal grindcore/extreme metal outfit BRUTAL TRUTH during an October 6, 2008 recording session at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York. Watch the clip below.

BRUTAL TRUTH entered Watchmen earlier this week to begin recording its new album for an early 2009 release. The band has written 24 new songs for the CD, including "Grind Fidelity", "Evolution Through Revolution" and "Detached".

BRUTAL TRUTH will have its live mini-album, "For Drug Crazed Grindfreaks Only!", reissued later this month via Relapse. "For Drug Crazed Grindfreaks Only!" was originally recorded in New Zealand during what was to-be the band's last-ever tour in 1997.

BRUTAL TRUTH recently issued its first new material in almost ten years via the "This Comp Kills Fascists" compilation. Released in July, the collection featured BRUTAL TRUTH among 13 other current, stand-out, grind bands.

A teaser for SLIPKNOT's "Dead Memories" video can be viewed here. The clip was helmed by director P.R. Brown, who has previously worked with MÖTLEY CRÜE, MARILYN MANSON, CHIMAIRA and AVENGED SEVENFOLD, among others. The full video will be unveiled on October 25.

The cover artwork for the "Dead Memories" single, which is due in the UK on December 1, can be viewed here.

Lina Lecaro of the LA Weekly's music blog "Play" reports that former MARILYN MANSON bassist Gidget Gein (a.k.a. Brad Stewart) was found dead yesterday in his home in Burbank, California. He was a victim of an apparent drug overdose.

Gein, who was reportedly kicked out of MARILYN MANSON due to drug problems just as the band was breaking through (and replaced by Twiggy Ramirez, who many say copped his style and look), recently completed a stint in rehab for what was apparently not the first time. Good pal Lenora Claire tells LA Weekly, "He had just got a book deal, was recording a record with the guy who produced the first JANE'S ADDICTION record and just landed a solo show at La Luz de Jesus that he had wanted for years." She says she plans to make sure the show, set for February of next year, still happens no matter what.

Atlanta rap/metal pioneers STUCK MOJO will release their new album, "The Great Revival", on November 28 via Napalm Records.

The track listing for the CD, which was mixed at producer Andy Sneap's (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, EXODUS) Backstage studio, is as follows:

01. Worshipping A False God
02. 15 Minutes
03. Friends
04. The Flood
05. Now That You're All Alone
06. There's A Doctor in Town
07. The Fear
08. There's A Miracle Coming
09. Country Road
10. Invincible
11. Superstar Part 1 (The Journey Begins)
12. Superstar Part 2 (The World Of Egos And Thieves)

Two songs from the album — "Now That You're All Alone" and "15 Minutes" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Commented guitarist/songwriter Rich Ward: "We worked from a list of about 20 songs for the album, including SICK SPEED [Ward's now-defunct side project] songs ('Autumn Brings', 'Time and a Place') and previously unreleased MOJO tracks 'Friends' and 'Invincible'. To get the November release date that we wanted, the deadline to have the album completed was moved a month earlier than originally scheduled. At that point I shortened the list to the 14 songs that I felt were most fully realized and moved forward with those. From that list, a few songs did not get completed by the new deadline and are now back in the 'damn that song is going to be good' list of unused or incomplete ideas.

"If you have a copy of the demo versions of 'Friends' and 'Invincible', the songs have changed a bit, as most of the guitars and vocals have been retracked, arrangements have changed, and the production has improved light years."

He added, "The record is very heavy in spots and very mellow in spots. When it's angry, it's angry. When it's not, it's not. No politics, just songs about life and how our experiences have molded us. A record about friends, family, love, loss, success and failure. Any fan that has followed us over the years will not be super surprised as we have left a bread crumb trail over the last few years. For better or worse and with no apologies, this record is who we are in 2008."

"Shadowheart", the new album from the Finnish symphonic folk metal band KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI, is available for streaming in its entirety on the grooup's MySpace page.

"Shadowheart" (cover) will be released on the following dates:

Finland: Wednesday, October 15
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, October 17
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, October 21
Sweden, Hungary: Wednesday, October 22
UK, France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Rest Of Europe: Monday, October 20

According to a press release, "Expect an unmistakeable sound that is heavy, drivingly fast, but due to its epic atmosphere, and melancholic, highly catchy overtones marks a stunning amalgamation of Celtic folklore and vast extreme metal influences. By utilizing lyrics in their native Finnish tongue as well as the English language, KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI are also highly diverse when it comes to their lyrical content."

Behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the "Jäässä Varttunut" video from KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI can be viewed below.

Formed in 2002 in Kouvola, Finland by brothers Joni (growls, guitar) and Antti Koskinen (keyboards, backing vocals), KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI previously recorded three demos: "Kristallivuoren Maa" (2002), "Taival" (2004) and "The New Chapter" (2007) and one EP called "Mustan Valtikan Aika" (2006).

KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI is:

Leeni-Maria Hovila - Vocals
Joni Koskinen - Growls, Guitar
Antti Rinkinen - Lead Guitar
Antti Koskinen - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Simo Lehtonen - Bass, Backing Vocals
Atte Marttinen - Drums

Swedish black metallers VANMAKT have finished mixing their second album, "Ad Luciferi Regnum" (rough translation: To the Kingdom of Lucifer), at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, SETHERIAL) with Tore Stjerna. The band says, "it sounds awesome! Even better than we expected! Tore will now master the album and after that it is done!"

"Ad Luciferi Regnum" was recorded at EPM Studios with producer Björn Lindgren. A late 2008/early 2009 release via Pulverised Records is expected.

"Ad Luciferi Regnum" recording lineup:

M. Svensson (screams & guitar)
V. Dahlgren (bass)
M. Wohlfart (guitar)
Liedheim (drums)

VANMAKT's debut album, "Vredskapta Mörkersagor", features guest appearances by Jonas Renvaktar (SPAWN OF POSSESSION) on the song entitled "Open the Gates" and Hebbe from SKALD on the track "En Mardröm, En Strid, Ett Helvete". VANMAKT also filmed a video for the song "My Darkest Hate", which can be viewed below.

Swedish death/black hopefuls ZONARIA have posted a new song, "Contra Mundum", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's second full-length album, "The Cancer Empire", which will be released via Century Media Recrods on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, October 24
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, October 28
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, October 29
UK, France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Rest of Europe: Monday, October 27

The CD was produced by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman and was mastered by Peter In De Betou at Tailor Maid.

"The Cancer Empire" track listing:

01. Slaughter Is Passion
02. Praise The Eradication
03. Crowning King Cancer
04. Contra Mundum
05. Termination Process
06. At War With The Inferior
07. From The Abysmal Womb
08. Damnation Dressed In Flesh
09. Humanity Vs Sanity
10. The Icon And The Faceless

The first in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording studio can be viewed below.

Simon Berglund (vocals/guitar) explains the meaning of the album title: "'The Cancer Empire' refers to a nation that infects the world around it by spreading lies and deceit in order to dominate. For us it has a realistic reflection on the world today."

The cover artwork by Pär Olofsson (WINDS OF PLAGUE, DEEDS OF FLESH, PSYCROPTIC) was also based upon this concept.

Guitarist Emil Nyström is confident, that the band will gather new hordes of fans with "The Cancer Empire". He states, "There is no one that can take the feeling away from us that we've done another great album. More dynamics and more varied than ever — we can't wait to play the new songs on the road really soon!"

Formed in 2002 by guitarist, main songwriter, and vocalist Simon Berglund along with axeman Emil Nyström (both were only 15 years old at that time), ZONARIA has outgrown its local underground status with the debut album "Infamy And The Breed" (Pivotal Recordings, 2007) and gained Europe-wide attention through tours with IMPALED NAZARENE, MARDUK, PAIN and VADER. With influences ranging from HYPOCRISY to DIMMU BORGIR to ARCH ENEMY, ZONARIA's misanthropic mix of brutal riffs, melodic harmonies, maniacal drumming, and ominous synth lines was well received within the metal community and the band succeeded in shaping its own, unique sound.

Long-running Florida-based extreme metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION have announced the cancellation of their "Death Before Dishonor" European tour which was scheduled to kick off in November. According to the group, "The situation was beyond the band's control as they never received the contracts or plane tickets they were promised . . . The band is moving forward and looking to reschedule the tour through an agency with a better reputation with VITAL REMAINS for early next year following a devastatingly brutal new CD from this MALEVOLENT CREATION!!"

MALEVOLENT CREATION's "Lost Commandments" DVD was released in August in Europe via Massacre Records. The one-hour, 45-minute disc features two complete shows from the band — Party.San Open Air festival (August 9-11, 2007 in Bad Berka, Germany) and Paris, France (2004).

MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest album, "Doomsday X", was released in the U.S. in July 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records and in Europe in August 2007 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded and engineered at Mercury Recording Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida by longtime friend and producer (and sometimes session member) Gus Rios, and is said to be the most diverse MALEVOLENT CREATION album recorded to date and "without a doubt their fastest!!" Mick Thomson, guitarist for SLIPKNOT, contributed a "ripping" guitar solo to the song "Deliver My Enemy".

MALEVOLENT CREATION live in Czech Republic – August 2007:

German thrashers KREATOR will release their new album, "Hordes Of Chaos", in Europe on January 19, 2009 via SPV Records (except in Germany, where it will be issued on January 16). The CD will arrive in the U.S. on January 13.

The new album will be available in three different versions. The jewel case edition includes the ten regular album songs, and the deluxe version features an additional bonus DVD with an atmospheric making-of in super-8 quality courtesy of a Berlin filmmaker. As a third option, the ultra-deluxe version comes with a t-shirt, a worthwhile photo book and an extended version of the bonus DVD, as well as the CD.

The "Hordes Of Chaos" artwork was created once again by Joachim Luetke. Luetke designed the artwork for KREATOR's last album, "Enemy Of God", as well as past releases from bands like DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY and RAGE.

"Hordes Of Chaos" track listing:

Limited Edition:

01. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
02. Warcurse
03. Escalation
04. Amok Run
05. Destroy What Destroys You
06. Radical Resistance
07. Absolute Misanthropy
08. To The Afterborn
09. Corpses Of Liberty
10. Demon Prince

Bonus DVD

* The Making of "Hordes Of Chaos" directed by Stephanie von Beauvais
* "Awakening Of The Gods" live at Summer Breeze Open Air Germany 2006
* "Coma Of Souls" live at Summer Breeze Open Air Germany 2006
* "Hordes Of Chaos" video

Running time: approximately 35 minutes

Jewel Case:

01. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
02. Warcurse
03. Escalation
04. Amok Run
05. Destroy What Destroys You
06. Radical Resistance
07. Absolute Misanthropy
08. To The Afterborn
09. Corpses Of Liberty
10. Demon Prince

LP:

Side 1:

01. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
02. Warcurse
03. Escalation
04. Amok Run
05. Destroy What Destroys You

Side 2:

06. Radical Resistance
07. Absolute Misanthropy
08. To The Afterborn
09. Corpses Of Liberty
10. Demon Prince

A teaser for the CD can be viewed below.

According to a press release, "Hordes Of Chaos" is "a powerhouse featuring rigorous thrash attacks and KREATOR's familiarly intelligent lyrics about self-determination and the dangers of contemporary war propaganda."

"Hordes Of Chaos" was recorded at Berlin's Tritonus studios under the direction of producer Moses Schneider. Schneider is renowned for his fresh and exceptionally dynamic working methods with bands and artists such as BEATSTEAKS and TOCOTRONIC.

"We consciously decided on Moses as our producer for the live recording of the basic tracks at the studio," band mastermind Mille Petrozza explains. "This was the first time since 'Pleasure To Kill' that we worked in this way. The new album is a 100% realistic reflection of KREATOR's live qualities. Instead of exploring every little detail to sterile perfection with the help of computer technology, this time around we wanted to deliver as dynamic a production as possible. There can be no doubt that we've achieved our target in 'Hordes Of Chaos'." The album was mixed in London by Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, CRADLE OF FILTH).

KREATOR — Mille Petrozza (guitar, vocals), drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil, bassist Christian Giesler and guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö — will embark on taheir two-month European tour in January alongside CALIBAN and ELUVEITE.

Limited Edition / Jewel Case Cover, LP Version.