Swedish death/black hopefuls ZONARIA will release their second full-length album, "The Cancer Empire", 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

Listen to the track "Praise The Eradication" at the band's MySpace page.

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 (see below) 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.

KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley will release his new DVD, "One Live Kiss", on October 21 via New Door/Universal. The cover artwork for the disc can be viewed below. The DVD was filmed on November 6, 2006 at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Prologue
02. Live To Win
03. Hide Your Heart
04. A Million To One
05. Got To Choose
06. Move On
07. Bulletproof
08. Tonight You Belong To Me
09. Lick It Up
10. Wouldn't You Like To Know Me?
11. Magic Touch
12. I Still Love You
13. Strutter
14. Everytime I See You Around
15. Do You Love Me?
16. I Want You
17. Love Gun
18. Lift
19. Detroit Rock City
20. Goodbye

XXX, the Gothenburg, Sweden-based glitter-rock trio featuring Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME), has posted a new song, "Wall Of Fame", on its MySpace page. The track comes off the group's debut album, "Heaven, Hell or Hollywood?", which will be released in Japan on November 5 through King Records. The band is currently in the early stages of negotiating deals with several labels for the rest of the planet.

"Heaven, Hell or Hollywood?" track listing:

01. Hello!
02. It's Suicide
03. We're Gonna Rock,..
04. Wall Of Fame
05. I Want You To Want Me
06. Singalongsong
07. So Fxxxing You!
08. Tomboy
09. Miss Misery
10. Heaven, Hell Or Hollywood?
11. Real Men Wear Pink And Suxxx Hard (bonus track)

The cover artwork contains superhero illustrations done by Al Rio of Marvel Comics. Al Rio has previously drawn Batman, The Incredible Hulk and more.

XXX (pronounced Triple X) is:

Snowy Shaw (drums and vocals)
Rob Nasty (bass and vocals)
X (guitars and vocals)

"Heaven, Hell or Hollywood?" was produced by Snowy Shaw and guitarist/vocalist X and was mixed by Andy La Rocque at Sonic Train Studios.

Guitarist Gavin Harper has announced his departure from the Scottish folk/power metal band ALESTORM.

He commented: "In my time in this band, from doing the first ever recording to not appearing on the latest one, I have always strived to make ALESTORM my priority and put it ahead of many other things in life that have been more important to me in order to help ALESTORM be as big as it is now. In this time, and in my attempts to keep my band members thriving in the music industry and taking advantage of everything, I have nearly bankrupted myself, been pushing new levels of unhappiness and had countless sleepless nights trying to plan routes for the guys within the budgets we have received. I have been struggling with personal differences with some members for a while and just feel that it is for the best if I make way for someone willing to put up with this.

"I have recently taken up residence in a new country and have a lot of new responsibilities as well as a lot of new opportunities and I feel that it is now time to follow what I want rather than constantly struggle and sacrifice that which belongs not only to myself, but to all the loved ones that I have had to borrow from and rely on to keep ALESTORM in the music business.

"I will be back with new projects, signed or not, it's now time that music becomes fun again and I will be making a lot of music in the near future!"

ALESTORM was recently rejoined by drummer Ian Wilson.

The band has just completed work on four-track EP, which will go on sale to coincide with the band's upcoming European tour. According to the group, "It's got one new awesome song, a cover, 'Wenches and Mead' in German (oh, yes), and a revamped version of 'Heavy Metal Pirates', available on CD for the first time."

"Leviathan" EP tentative track listing:

01. Leviathan
02. Wolves of the Sea
03. Weiber und Wein (German version of "Wenches and Mead")
04. Heavy Metal Pirates

ALESTORM released its debut album, "Captain Morgan's Revenge", in January through Napalm Records.

According to a press release, the quartet "plays Scottish 'pirate metal,' by their own definition, and musically resembles the great battle metal bands such as KORPIKLAANI or TURISAS, albeit with a unique touch and Scottish instrumentation."

German thrashers KREATOR will release their new album, "Hordes Of Chaos", in Europe on January 19, 2009 via SPV Records. The CD will arrive in the U.S. at the end of January.

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).

The new studio 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.

Seattle-based metallers DEMON HUNTER will release a new DVD, "45 Days", on November 25 through Solid State. The three-disc set will feature a documentary about the band and footage of the group's June 26, 2008 concert at Rockettown in Nashville, Tennessee.

DEMON HUNTER recently released a video for "Carry Me Down" (see below), the second single from the band's latest album for Solid State Records, "Storm The Gates Of Hell".

DEMON HUNTER's first album was released in 2002 and remains a classic to the group's loyal "Hunters". "Summer Of Darkness" arrived in 2004, bringing with it fan beloved songs like "Not Ready To Die" and "My Heartstrings Come Undone". "The Triptych" followed just a year later and has sold over 100,000 copies in the United States, featuring the MTV2 "Headbanger's Ball" staples "Undying" and "One Thousand Apologies".

According to Headbanger's Blog, Japanese experimental metal band DIR EN GREY will release its seventh full-length album, "Uroboros", in the U.S. on November 11 via The End Records. The disc will come out the next day in Japan on Firewall and November 14 in Europe thorugh Gan-Shin. Domestically, the album will be available in four format: digital album; CD jewel case; deluxe limited-edition CD digipak with bonus track and DVD; and 12" LP with a digital download card included.

"The album will be stuffed with themes of 'guilt and reincarnation' as well as 'the past, present and future of DIR EN GREY,'" guitarist Kaoru explained back in May. "This will be heavier and darker than previous albums, with a sort of oriental and religious mood and connotations. We're experimenting with different sounds — we'd like to introduce a multitude of different instruments on this album."

"Uroboros" track listing:

01. Sa Bir
02. Vinushka
03. Red Soil
04. Doukoku To Sarinu
05. Toguro
06. Glass Skin
07. Stuck Man
08. Reiketsu Nariseba
09. Ware, Yami Tote…
10. Bugaboo
11. Gaika, Chinmoku Ga Nemuru Koro
12. Dozing Green
13. Inconvenient Ideal
14. Dozing Green (Japan Only)
15. Glass Skin (Japan Only)

Bonus DVD:

01. Repetition Of Hatred
02. Agitated Screams Of Maggots
03. Hydra-666-
04. Dead Tree
05. Dozing Green

HEARSE, the Swedish "death 'n' roll" band featuring former ARCH ENEMY singer Johan Liiva and ex-FURBOWL drummer Max Thornell, has finished recording its fifth album for an early 2009 release via Vic Records.

Commented Thornell: "Goddammit, I guess we all began to doubt whether there'd be a new album or not. There's been so much trouble during the way with a computer crash on the top of it all. Anyway, we're finally there. Last weekend it was time for Johan to take a trip to Stockholm to enter The Black Chapel Studio and scream his lungs out. Well, I screamed pretty much myself too. Nice to finally do some growling again. Don't think I screamed a word on the last album so it sure was about time. Mattias [Ljung] also did the last guitar solo recording and also recorded some acoustic guitar.

"So what's next then? It's time for Dan Swanö to take care of the recording and mix the stuff in his Unisound Studio. We're totally excited to hear the final version of the album. Swanö always does great jobs and I'm totally convinced that's what he'll do this time too."

HEARSE's fourth album, "In These Veins", was released in North America on September 18, 2007 via Candlelight Records. The follow-up to 2005's "The Last Ordeal" was recorded and mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH).

New Jersey metal titans GOD FORBID have posted a new track, "Empire of the Gun", on their MySpace page. The song comes off the group's new album, which is scheduled for a February 2009 release via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Eric Rachel (ATREYU) with Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY, THREAT SIGNAL) handling all vocal tracking.

Commented GOD FORBID guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle: "I'm sure many of you were disappointed when it was announced that the [new GOD FORBID] album was going to be pushed back to early 2009. So were we. To make a long story short, Colin Richardson was supposed to mix the album in July so we could get the album out in October, but we ran into some scheduling conflicts and decided to go back to the drawing board as far as mixing. Hence the album release delay. So after about six weeks of hearing some awesome test mixes from some of the best metal producers in the biz, we've decided on... drum roll... Jens Bogren. He owns and runs Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. He's most known for his incredible production and mixing work with OPETH, AMON AMARTH, SOILWORK, KATATONIA and SYMPHONY X. The band could not be more excited about this decision, especially considering the varied and dynamic nature of the material featured on the new album. We are so happy with this that we've decided to share with the fans the mix that got Jens the job. So enjoy this little sneak preview while it lasts."

Norwegian extreme metallers IN VAIN have issued the following update:

"We have recorded eight brand new songs [for the upcoming sophomore IN VAIN album], re-recorded 'In Remembrance' (but that will not be on the official CD) and one cover song. Most likely the CD will only consist of seven songs plus the cover song, so that means we will have to exclude a song. Not an easy choice... As usual we brought along some guests, although not as many as on 'The Latter Rain'. More info on that later. You can check out a studio report with one of the guests here."

In other news, IN VAIN has parted ways with guitarist Even Fuglestad. "We are not sure in what form we will continue in the future," the band writes on its MySpace page. "We will also discuss whether we will continue to play live and try to recreate the music from the CDs, which is a very hard task. For the new songs we have not exactly made it easy for ourselves when trying to play it live, because there are too many things going on at the same time. Anyway, maybe we'll go 'all in' and get more people to play and have the rest of the music on tapes. That's the only way we can give recreate the CDs and I believe that's what people want to hear and not a 'live version' of the songs. If not, we'll just let it be and keep IN VAIN a studio project."

IN VAIN released its full-length debut, "The Latter Rain", last year via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded at DUB Studio (GREEN CARNATION, BLOOD RED THRONE, CHAIN COLLECTOR) in the summer/fall of 2006 and involved close to 20 guest musicians and several guest vocalists, such as Jan K. Transeth (IN THE WOODS...) and Kjetil Nordhus (GREEN CARNATION, TRAIL OF TEARS).

DELAIN — the Dutch gothic rock/metal project founded by ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Westerholt (brother of WITHIN TEMPTATION's Robert Westerholt) — will enter the studio in September to begin recording its second album for an early 2009 release. "We have completed nine songs so far," Martijn writes on the group's web site. "Five more are in the making. Some of them will make the album, and some of them won't. I'm really looking forward to the recording process. Then the songs really come to life."

He continued, "It's very special to see all band members are involved in the recordings this time. A lot of stuff is happening at the same time. (Sometimes that's really difficult for a chaotic often 'forget-stuff' kind of person. Yes, I'm referring to me.)

"We are already planning our tour schedule for the next album trough a lot of countries. We are busy planning and making our new live production. It's a blessing we have some heroes in our team in making new stuff. Sander and our tour manager Rik are very busy with making equipment, light stuff, risers, etc.

"Besides that, I'm busy arranging stuff for the guest musician contribution.

"With our first album, we had loads of time to make it happen. This time that has to happen in a short term situation. So all things together, it's a very exciting time. I hope we can make it all happen."

DELAIN's video for the song "The Gathering" can be viewed below. The track is taken from the group's debut album, "Lucidity", which came out in 2006.

Vocalist Martin Steene of the Danish metal band IRON FIRE has issued the following update:

"We have been in the studio on and off for a couple of months now, and the new album is coming along great. Vocals are almost done now and guitar solos are being recorded every day at Kirk's [Backarach, guitar] place.

"This album will sure be our most dark and aggressive so far.

I have been doing a lot of re-writing on lyrics in the recording process, which I never do, to get it all to fit perfect with the darker feeling of the album. But don't fear, it all still sounds like IRON FIRE — just with a twist of darkness.

"Things are sounding better than ever at this point and can't wait for the mix, which will take place at Jailhouse studio with good old Tommy Hansen in October. Eric Phillipe is once again working on the cover design and its gonna be exiting to see what masterpiece he can come up with this time. The title of the album is not yet decided, but it's not gonna be 'Thunderstorm Pt. 2'.

Here is some of the songtitles so far: 'The Beast From The Blackness', 'Doom Riders', 'The Demon Master', 'Hail To Odin', 'March Of The Immortals'."

IRON FIRE released its fourth album, "Blade of Triumph", in June 2007 via Napalm Records. The CD is the follow-up to "Revenge", which was released in March 2006 via Napalm.

IRON FIRE issued two full-length albums through the Sanctuary/Noise label prior to signing with Napalm: 2000's "Thunderstorm" and 2001's "On the Edge".

"Jack of Diamonds", the new video from Swedish metallers SONIC SYNDICATE, can be viewed below. The clip was shot with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company. Ullaeus previously worked with the band on the two clips that accompanied SONIC SYNDICATE's 2007 release "Only Inhuman".

SONIC SYNDICATE has set "Love and Other Disasters" as the title of its third album, due on September 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. In addition to the regular CD, a digipack version of the album will made available featuring two bonus tracks and a DVD.

"Love and Other Disasters" track listing:

01. Encaged
02. Hellgate: Worcester
03. Jack of Diamonds
04. My Escape
05. Fallout
06. Power Shift
07. Contradiction
08. Damage Control
09. Red Eyed Friend
10. Affliction

Bonus Tracks:

11. Ruin
12. Dead Planet

Guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho and bassist Henkka Seppälä (a.k.a. Henkka T. Blacksmith) of the Finnish metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM have launched a clothing line by the name of Wildchild Industries. According to a posting on the CHILDREN OF BODOM fan site Scythes-Of-Bodom.com, "many ideas for their designs come from Alexi himself, hence the name of the company. Even though Alexi and Henkka are involved with Wildchild Industries and it goes by Alexi's stage name, their products are not CHILDREN OF BODOM merchandise or strictly related to the band in other ways."

Romanian female-fronted symphonic metal band MAGICA has posted a new song entitled "Don't Wanna Kill" on its MySpace page. The track comes off the group's fourth album, "Wolves and Witches", due in November through AFM Records. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Hold on Tight", "Hurry Up", "Ravens", "Dark Secret", "Just for 2 Coins", "Mistress of the Wind" and "Until the Light is Gone".

"IKONS", a four-CD collectors' package showcasing the iconic prominence each KISS member contributed to the hottest rock 'n' roll band in the world, is scheduled for release on October 21. The packaging for "IKONS" is outstanding, featuring a 24-page booklet filled with classic KISS photos. The actual KISS "IKONS" and the "IKONS" logo on the box cover are printed in silver foil.

"Gene Simmons" CD:

01. God Of Thunder
02. Almost Human
03. Calling Dr. Love
04. Ladies Room
05. Christine Sixteen
06. Deuce
07. Rock And Roll All Nite
08. Cold Gin
09. Parasite
10. Larger Than Life
11. Love 'em And Leave 'Em
12. Plaster Caster
13. Radioactive
14. Charisma

"Paul Stanley" CD:

01. Detroit Rock City
02. Love Gun
03. Take Me
04. Strutter
05. C'mon And Love Me
06. Hotter Than Hell
07. 100,000 Years
08. Rock Bottom
09. Do You Love Me?
10. All American Man
11. Mr. Speed
12. I Stole Your Love
13. Wouldn't You Like To Know Me
14. I Was Made For Lovin' You

"Ace Frehley" CD:

01. New York Groove
02. Shock Me
03. 2,000 Man
04. Rocket Ride
05. Snow Blind
06. Speedin' Back To My Baby
07. Talk To Me
08. What's On Your Mind
09. Rip It Out
10. Save Your Love
11. Hard Times
12. Two Sides Of The Coin
13. Dark Light
14. Into The Void

"Peter Criss" CD:

01. Hard Luck Woman
02. Baby Driver
03. Hooligan
04. Beth
05. I Can't Stop The Rain
06. Black Diamond
07. Mainline
08. Don't You Let Me Down
09. Dirty Livin'
10. Getaway
11. Strange Ways
12. That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes
13. Easy Thing
14. I Finally Found My Way

Dockyard 1 has set an October 24 European release date for "Sweet Blood Theory",, the new album from the Italian symphonic power band SECRET SPHERE.

The CD was recorded between December 2007 and February 2008 at Authoma Studios by Federico Pennazzato and mixed in March 2008 at Germany's Indiscreet Audio by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, BRAINSTORM).

According to a press release, "Sweet Blood Theory" is a concept album based on the novel "The Vampire", written by John William Polidori in 1814. The book is widely considered to be one of the earliest novels to include a vampire character.

To embrace the concept and create the music for this fantasy epic, the band took inspiration from the famous movie director Tim Burton ("Nightmare Before Christmas", "The Corpse Bride", "Edward Scissorhands" etc) in trying to re-create the typical atmospheres of his most famous movies in both the orchestral score (reminiscent of that of Danny Elfman, who did the music for the aforementioned Tim Burton movies) and for the artwork. The result is huge step forward for the band — the music is as aggressive as before yet keeping the typical SECRET SPHERE melodic touch.

"Sweet Blood Theory" track listing:

01. Evil Or Divine
02. Stranger In Black
03. From A Dream To A Nightmare
04. Bring On
05. The Shadows Of The Room Of Pleasure
06. Welcome To The Circus
07. The Butterfly Dance
08. Sweet Blood Theory
09. Feed My Fire
10. All These Words
11. Vampire's Kiss
12. The Day At The End Of The World

Check out audio clips of all the tracks at this location.

Two full songs — "Welcome To The Circus" and "Bring On" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

AVA INFERI, the Portugal-based band whose lineup includes guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), will enter the studio in November to begin recording its third album, "Blood Of Bacchus", for a 2009 release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Fireflies", "A Witch She Was, The Witch I Am", "Lights", "Last Sign of Summer" and "All the Colours of the Dark".

Commented Rune Eriksen: "I'd like to announce that our forthcoming album, 'Blood Of Bacchus', will have ULVER mainman Kristoffer Rygg as a special guest on one of the tracks. We are very happy to announce this collaboration and utterly confident about the final outcome!"

In other news, "AVA INFERI has been confirmed as this year's headliner of the annual Fest Biqueira d'Aço in Vilar/Cadaval (Portugal), Saturday, October 4," said Rune Eriksen. "This will serve as a perfect kick-off to our Scandinavian tour starting [October] 8th in Tampere, Finland, and also as a try-out for some of our new material. Don't miss it!"

Veteran Japanese metallers LOUDNESS have released a new four-disc DVD set entitled "The Legend Of Loudness - Live Complete Best" in Japan through Tokuma Communications. It features footage spanning the band's entire career — from the early 1980s through 2008 — including the periods when it was fronted by Michael Vescera (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, OBSESSION) and Masaki Yamada (EZO).

The track listing is as follows:

01. In The Mirror
02. Lonely Prayer
03. Exploder
04. Road Racer
05. Burning Love
06. Crazy Doctor
07. Dream Fantasy
08. In The Mirror
09. Esper
10. Crazy Night
11. Like Hell
12. Heavy Chains
13. The Lines Are Down
14. Loudness
15. Shadows Of War
16. Drum Solo
17. Let It Go
18. Guitar Solo
19. Crazy Night
20. Speed
21. Down'n'dirty
22. In The Mirror
23. You Shook Me
24. Never Again
25. Sleepless Night
26. Black Widow
27. Slaughter House
28. Pray For The Dead
29. Waking The Dead
30. Firestorm
31. Loudness
32. Esper
33. Mr. Yesman
34. The End Of Earth
35. The Winds Of Victory
36. So Lonely
37. Stay Wild
38. S.D.I.
39. The Pandemonium
40. What's The Truth?
41. Biosphere
42. Hellrider
43. Wind From Tibet
44. Pharaoh
45. Cyber Soul
46. Cross
47. Crazy Doctor
48. In The Mirror
49. Angel Dust
50. Rock Shock
51. Like Hell
52. Crazy Samurai
53. S.D.I.
54. Exultation
55. Lunatic
56. So Lonely
57. Drum Solo
58. Never Change Your Mind
59. The Battle Ship Musashi
60. The Love Of My Life
61. S.D.I.
62. Lonely Prayer
63. Angel Dust
64. High Try
65. Bass Solo
66. Hard Workin'
67. Devil Soldier
68. Guitar Solo
69. I'm On Fire
70. Rock Shock
71. Crazy Night
72. Like Hell
73. Heavy Chains
74. No Way Out
75. Never Change Your Mind
76. The Lines Are Down - Drums Solo
77. We Could Be Together
78. Clockworktoy
79. Guitar Solo
80. Speed
81. Long Distance Love
82. Metal Mad (Promotion Video Clip)

A new OMNIUM GATHERUM track entitled "Shapes And Shades" has been posted on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the Finish metal act's fourth album, "The Redshift", which is scheduled for release on September 22 in Europe and October 14 in the U.S. via Candlelight Records. An e-card for the CD can be accessed at this location.

"The Redshift" was recorded at Sound Supreme Studios in Hämeenlinna, Finland with Janne Saksa and SouthEastSounds studio in Karhula with Teemu Aalto. The CD was mixed at Unisound Studio in Örebro, Sweden by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, HAIL OF BULLETS, NOVEMBERS DOOM).

"The Redshift" track listing:

01. Nail
02. A Shadowkey
03. Chameleon Skin
04. No Breaking Point
05. The Return
06. Shapes And Shades
07. The Redshifter
08. Greeneyes
09. The Second Flame
10. Song For December
11. Distant Light Highway

Commented Swanö: "I hate bands like OMNIUM GATHERUM; they are so good, it pisses me off!!! Their fine blend of melody and aggression is so good I actually thought about stealing the record and release it as my own. :) You won't find a better album in years."

In addition to the standard version of CRADLE OF FILTH's new album, "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder" (due out on October 28 via Roadrunner Records), there will also be a special edition and vinyl released. See below for the complete track listing.

Special Edition (two-disc set featuring 10 unreleased/rare bonus tracks and expanded artwork):

Disc 1:

01. In Grandeur And Frankincense Devilment Stirs
02. Shat Out Of Hell
03. The Death Of Love
04. The 13th Caesar
05. Tiffauges
06. Tragic Kingdom
07. Sweetest Maleficia
08. Honey And Sulphur
09. Midnight Shadows Crawl To Darken Counsel With Life
10. Darkness Incarnate
11. Ten Leagues Beneath Contempt
12. Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder
13. Corpseflower

Disc 2:

01. Balsamic and Anathema
02. A Thousand Hands On The Maid Of Ruin
03. Into The Crypt Of Rays
04. Devil To The Metal
05. Courting Baphomet
06. The Love Of Death (Remix)
07. The Death Of Love (Demo)
08. The 13th Caesar (Demo)
09. Dirge Inferno (Live)
10. Dusk And Her Embrace (Live)

Vinyl (double vinyl includes two tracks not available on the standard album and a code to download the entire album in MP3 format):

01. In Grandeur And Frankincense Devilment Stirs
02. Shat Out Of Hell
03. The Death Of Love
04. The 13th Caesar
05. Tiffauges
06. Tragic Kingdom
07. Sweetest Maleficia
08. Honey And Sulphur
09. Midnight Shadows Crawl To Darken Counsel With Life
10. Darkness Incarnate
11. A Thousand Hands On The Maid Of Ruin
12. Ten Leagues Beneath Contempt
13. Balsamic and Anathema
14. Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder
15. Corpseflower

Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED will release their new album, "Versus", as a regular CD, LP (including the album on CD as a bonus) anda special limited-edition CD box package. This CD box (with alternative packaging artwork pictured below) includes the normal album plus a special four-track bonus CD (entitled "Collateral Damage"), a double-sided poster, an exclusive sticker as well as a THE HAUNTED guitar pick. The bonus tracks included in the limited edition CD box of "Versus" were recorded during the album sessions and are as follows: "Seize The Day", "Narcotic", "Versus" (instrumental) and "Devolve".

THE HAUNTED is streaming "Versus" in its entirety on the band's official MySpace page. The stream will be available for one week only.

The group will take part in a signing session on Friday, September 19 at 19.00 (7:00 p.m.) at Media Markt in Gothenburg, Sweden.

An e-card for "Versus" can be found at this location.

"Versus" will be released through Century Media Records on the following dates:

Sweden: Wednesday, September 17
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, September 19
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, September 23
Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, September 24
UK, France, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Rest Of Europe: Monday, September 22

The CD was recorded in part at PUK studio in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MOONSPELL, etc), who previously worked with the group on its two most recent LPs, "rEVOLVEr" (2004) and "The Dead Eye" (2006).

"Versus" track listing:

01. Moronic Colossus
02. Pieces
03. Little Cage
04. Trenches
05. Ceremony
06. Skuld
07. Crusher
08. Rivers Run
09. Iron Mask
10. Faultline
11. Imperial Death March

Guitarist Craig Locicero of the reunited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN has issued the following update:

"What a great night we had at Slim's [in San Francisco on Friday, September 12]! Everything about the experience was pretty f'n satisfying. I guess you could say it was full circle, closure and a new beginning all in one night.

"When we took the show one, we barely had three weeks to get the word out there. It didn't seem to matter because the show was still comfortably packed. This time there was a little room to breathe as opposed to when we did the two gigs with DEATH ANGEL, that was claustrophobic! But that was good too.

"When the word got out about [former FORBIDDEN drummer] Paul [Bostaph; SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS] playing with us again it sent some electricity around the Bay. But we already had a lot we wanted to prove on our own. The most important thing was for Russ [Anderson, vocals] just to be able to go out there and perform at his best, and he did! I'm not trying to make excuses for the guy, but he never got to put his best foot forward with our local gigs and the Euro tour we did back in June. Singers are sometimes victims of circumstance. When your a band that hasn't toured in over 12 years and you get nine shows in nine days in a row, somebody's gonna suffer. Russ did take one for the team then, but he didn't bitch (too much)! Haha. So, needless to say, he kicked ass on Friday night! Hit the highs and brought all the power big-time. I just think that some folks forget how hard it is to be a real singer in this genre. We don't have any kind of cushy situation here. Just five hard-working dudes making the music they love.

"Now for the rest of the evening. The crowd was on fire! It must have been cool for Mark [Hernandez, drums] to finally get to play for his home town after the last few months. He was great and everyone treated him accordingly. Mark really does fit the band wonderfully. He and Paul got along great and helped each other a ton. Paul was even showing him some old tricks he had to re-remember. That was priceless!

"The moment when Paul got behind the kit was deja vu! For me, the thing I love most about Paul's work with FORBIDDEN is how innovative his material really was. The beats, fills and groove were all so unique. It's any wonder why SLAYER sought him out in 1991! And he's a really nice human being as well. We really enjoyed that interaction again. Thanks to TESTAMENT for letting us borrow Paul for these few nights. Good times!

"That's not all that happened. Even Robb Flynn [MACHINE HEAD, ex-VIO-LENCE, FORBIDDEN], the original counterpart guitarist to myself, got up and sang 'Chalice of Blood' with Russ and Mark! That was great! Here we have our Paul Bostaph and Robb Flynn and Mark Hernandez all sharing the stage with us all at the same time! It was killer to have our old friend, Robb, step onto the same stage with us after all of those years. He was super-cool too! We're all very proud of Robb and MACHINE HEAD for what they represent for modern Bay Area metal. They know were it all began because they lived it.

"All of this was a big part of the dream. What we need next is Tim Calvert and Steve Jacobs to be available and make an appearance and the circle will be complete. All of these guys were all integral to the long history of FORBIDDEN. And that history is still being written today and in the future!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

"Next stop...Japan!"

Video footage of the Slim's concert can be viewed below.

Upcoming FORBIDDEN shows:

Sep. 20 - Club Citta - Kawasaki, Kanagawa, JPN *
Sep. 21- Club Citta - Kawasaki, Kanagawa, JPN *

* With VOIVOD, TESTAMENT

FORBIDDEN's last studio LP, "Green", was released in 1997 on the G.U.N. label.

For more information, visit the band's official MySpace page.

FORBIDDEN live at Slim's in San Francisco – September 12, 2008:

Legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) has rleased his new video for the song "21st Century". Watch it below. The track comes off the singer's new solo album, "Beautiful Mess", which is scheduled for release on September 16 via Sewtoe Music through iTunes.

"Beautiful Mess" track listing:

01. 21st Century
02. Cry Me A River
03. Gin And Tonic Sky
04. Hey
05. Broken Man
06. Mountain
07. Our Song
08. Eye
09. Bring It Home
10. Testify
11. Wherever U Wanna Go
12. Kick It

Check out the cover artwork below (by Richard Mace).

Baltimore, Maryland-based band DOG FASHION DISCO reunited for a one-off show on September 12, 2008 at the Ottobar in Baltimore. The performance celebrated the release of the group's "DFDVD II" and the rarities CD "Beating A Dead Horse To Death.... Again" which being issued through Rotten Records. The concert reunited the band with original DOG FASHION DISCO bassist Steve Mears, who joined the band on stage for the first time in years.

Watch fan-filmed video footage of the performance below (courtesy of "acidrapdotcom").

DOG FASHION DISCO's upcoming "DFDVD II" DVD release features over three hours of live footage, as well as interviews, behind-the-scenes insanity and the group's legendary farewell show shot in Baltimore. "Beating A Dead Horse To Death.... Again" will contain re-recorded tracks from the "Day Of The Dead" EP, live tracks and other rarities. Both releases are due October 28 through Rotten Records.

AVALANCHE, the new project featuring Olof Mörck (NIGHTRAGE, DRAGONLAND), Jake E (ex-DREAM EVIL, DREAMLAND), Andy Solveström (WITHIN Y, EVILDOER, CIPHER SYSTEM) and Morten Lowe Sorensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION), has posted another new song, "Enter the Maze", on the band's MySpace page.

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers and EVERGREY keyboardist Rickard Zander are among the guest musicians who will appear on the upcoming AVALANCHE album, tentatively due in early 2009.

Mörck previously stated about the band: "AVALANCHE has for long been an idea between me and Jake E to break out of the mold of our past projects and create something new and fresh entirely and to give room for ideas not appropriate for the other acts and projects we are part of. The result is an onslaught of soaring melodies, heavy riffing and guttural screams from the netherworld, a result of having three singers in the band; Jake E on clean vocals, cabaret virtuoso Elize on female vocals and Andy on screams. The result is a quite distinct sound, especially combined with the music itself that draws upon influences from a varied spectrum of genres, all to create a thrilling experience for the listener. Another defining feature of AVALANCHE is the idea of a collective — everyone from superstars of the industry to just generally talented people will lend their unique skills to AVALANCHE on the coming album. This, however, won't stop AVALANCHE from being a tour de force in live shows and tours, since the core of this metal machinery is based primarily on the regular members. This project has just taken off, but we're quite excited to show you what we have so far, and a lot more will come in a very near future."

Washington, D.C. metallers DARKEST HOUR have confirmed that they have parted ways with guitarist Kris Norris. Kris will be working on several projects over the next few months. DARKEST HOUR writes, "As bandmates, but more importantly as friends, we wish him all the luck."

Replacing Norris in DARKEST HOUR is Houston's Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan, who filled in for Kris during the recently completed Thrash and Burn tour.

DARKEST HOUR will enter Baltimore, Maryland's Salad Days Studio in November with producer Brian McTernan to begin recording its new album for a spring 2009 release via Victory Records.

Commented guitarist Mike Schleibaum: "We are excited to work with Brian again. He has been a longtime friend and supporter of the band ever since its very first shows in 1995. When we recorded 'Mark of the Judas' with him in 2000, it helped solidify our sound and define us as a band. Eight years later, it's time to do it again. With all the scars of our past to guide us, we look towards a new future."

Look for a DARKEST HOUR European headlining tour in January.

DARKEST HOUR's latest album, "Deliver Us", was released in July 2007 via Victory Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Undoing Ruin" was recorded at the Warehouse in Vancouver, Canada.