Swedish death/black hopefuls ZONARIA will release their second full-length album, "The Cancer Empire", on October 17 via Century Media Recrods. 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

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. With its second album currently in the works and having been confirmed as the support act for VADER on their 25th anniversary tour through Northern Europe in October/November 2008, ZONARIA is well prepared to become the new Swedish extreme metal sensation!

Rick Wright, a founder member of Pink Floyd, died today at the age of 65 after battling cancer.

Wright played the keyboard with the legendary band and wrote music in classic albums like the Dark Side Of The Moon and Wish You Were Here.

His spokesman said: "The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness, that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer.
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"The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."
His death follows that two years ago of fellow Floyd founder member Syd Barrett.

Wright's spokesman did not say from what form of cancer the star had been suffering.

The self-taught keyboardist and pianist met fellow band members Roger Waters and Nick Mason while at architecture school.

He was a founder member of The Pink Floyd Sound in 1965, and the group's previous incarnations, such as Sigma 6.

In the early days of Pink Floyd, Wright, along with Barrett, was seen as the group's dominant musical force.

The London-born musician and son of a biochemist wrote and sang several songs of his own.

The Great Gig In The Sky, and Us And Them, both from 1973's seminal Dark Side Of The Moon album, were his most well-known compositions.

He also made essential contributions to Atom Heart Mother, Echoes and Shine On You Crazy Diamond, the tribute to former band member Barrett.

Wright recorded his first solo project, Wet Dream, in 1978.

After his relationship with Waters became increasingly difficult, he left Floyd following sessions for the album The Wall.

Wright was retained as a salaried session musician during live concerts in 1980 and 1981.

In 1983, Pink Floyd released the only album in which Wright does not appear - The Final Cut.

DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has offered the following opinion of METALLICA's new album, "Death Magnetic":

"'Death Magnetic' is HANDS DOWN the best METALLICA album in 20 years. This is the CD I've been waiting for them to make since '…And Justice For All'. And thumbs up to them for doing the first REAL METALLICA instrumental in 20 years since 'To Live Is To Die' (if you don't count DREAM THEATER's 'Stream of Consciousness'). Welcome back, boys."

In a June 2008 interview with the Artisan News Service, Portnoy stated about his hopes for the new METALLICA CD, "Well, the new direction, who knows? Until the album comes out [referring to 'Death Magnetic'], I have no idea what that direction is. 'St. Anger', which took a beating from a lot of people, personally, I would take that album over 'Load' and 'Reload' any day of the week. You know it had its faults. It had its flaws. The production was weird and the vocal melodies were weird, but at least it had a spirit. At least they were attempting to get heavy again and play long songs again. The formula they used in the '90s with 'Load' and 'Reload', it was just not my cup of tea. It was way too polished, way too bluesy and straight-ahead, so 'St. Anger' to me was a nice step in the better direction, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next one."

Watch a short video clip of Portnoy talking about METALLICA at this location.

German melodic metallers EDGUY have issued the following update:

"EDGUY and their record label Nuclear Blast have just extended their contract for three more albums. Also included in the deal is the release of the live DVD that was filmed in Brazil during the Rocket Ride World Tour two years ago. To the question why the footage has not been released yet, the band has a simple answer: 'We could have thrown in a DVD, but then it would have delayed the release of our forthcoming album. That's also why there is going to be no EP prior to the album. Besides that, 'Tinnitus Sanctus' [the forthcoming EDGUY album] is way too strong to get a chance on radio; no one's gonna play it anyway!'"

EDGUY's new album, "Tinnitus Sanctus", was recorded at Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany. The CD was produced by Sascha Paeth and is scheduled to be released on November 16.

In a recent interview, EDGUYfrontman Tobias Sammet stated about the group's new material, "We don't go back to the roots. We never denied who we are and where we come from, so I don't see a reason to go back to wherever. I go straight forward and follow my heart as I've always done, 'Tinnitus Sanctus' is exactly the music we wanna play, we are happy and I don't give a fuck if it's gonna be our biggest-selling album or not. It's so great, even if my career would go down the drain and this would be the last album, I'd be more than happy to be remembered as the guy who recorded 'Tinnitus Sanctus'. I'd rather ruin my carreer with a creative killer album like that than trying to play safe with a boring stereotype power metal stinker constructed on a drawing table. We have a couple of song titles such as 'Dragonfly', 'Dead Or Rock', 'Wake Up Dreaming Black' or 'Sex Fire Religion'. And we'll shoot a video for a very heavy midtempo anthem by the name of 'Ministry Of Saints'. And there'll be a bonus track called 'Aren't You A Little Pervert Too?' which is quite nasty."

METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Our friends at retail have some cool exclusives and collectibles out there. To help you decide where to pick up your version of 'Death Magnetic', here are some options:

"Coffin Box Set: The limited-edition coffin box set, a must for collectors, is now available on Metallica.com, www.missionmetallica.com, and select online retailers in Europe! The coffin-shaped box contains the new 'Death Magnetic' CD along with a bonus CD with demos, DVD with more making-of footage, a flag, guitar picks, fold-out poster, a T-shirt, and a free download of either the O2 Arena event in London or the O2 World event in Berlin. Don't miss out!!! Pre-order now and receive a free digital download of the album (320 kbps) available at 12:01 am on September 12! Hurry, supplies are running out...

"Best Buy: 'Death Magnetic' CD/Guitar Hero III bundle - Along with the new CD, you will given a code to download the entire album for Guitar Hero III on Xbox 360. The download will include two exclusive versions of 'Suicide & Redemption', one with a James solo and the other with a Kirk solo.

"Hot Topic: Get your copy of the Hot Topic-exclusive METALLICA single for only $2.99!* You'll get two tracks, 'The Day That Never Comes' and 'No Remorse' (live). It's available in Hot Topic stores NOW and will be coming soon to Hottopic.com. Go to Hottopic.com to enter for a chance to be METALLICA's roadie for a day! *Taxes not included. Subject to availability while supplies last.

"Newbury Comics: Pre-order the upcoming METALLICA release, 'Death Magnetic', and receive a limited-edition pint glass from the 'Newbury Comics Artist Pint Glass Series!' This METALLICA pint glass is a limited edition (only 1,500 made). If you want to be sure you get one, order on newburycomics.com. Please note: Pint glasses only ship to DOMESTIC destinations. If you are ordering from outside of the United States you will receive a CD only, unless otherwise stated.

"Independent retail: Pick up your copy of 'Death Magnetic' at your cool, local record store and receive a limited-edition METALLICA collectors' pin, while supplies last!"

"Death Magnetic" will be officially released on Friday, September 12.

The third video teaser for "Hels Vite", the forthcoming album from Swedish "viking metallers" THYRFING, can be viewed here. Due in Europe on October 22 via Regain Records, the CD was co-produced (with the band) by Jörgen Svensson of Tyroon Production and the cover artwork was created by the Swedish artist Mikael Schelén. The layout and the photos were handled by Jens Rydén.

The track listing is as follows:

01. En Sista Litania
02. Från Stormens Öga
03. Isolation
04. Hels Vite
05. Griftefrid
06. Becoming The Eye
07. Tre Vintrar – Två Solar

THYRFING last year announced the addition of Jens Rydén as the band's new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of NAGLFAR and for his one-man army PROFUNDI.

THYRFING's fifth album, "Farsotstider" (in English: "Times of Plague"), was released in November 2005 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Vansinnesvisor" (Hammerheart Records) was recorded at EMI Studio in Stockholm with producer Henrik Edenhed (LAMBRETTA, THE SOUNDS).

THYRFING's current lineup:

Jens Rydén - Vocals
Patrik Lindgren - Guitar
Joakim "Jocke" Kristensson - Drums
Kimmy Sjolund - Bass
Peter Lof - Synthesizers

Montreal's DESPISED ICON has issued the following update:

"I can't believe we won't be playing a single show in the next two months!

"Europe was amazing as always. Hung out with CEPHALIC CARNAGE every day, partying to Lenzig's dance music classics.

"Those European festivals were bigger then anything we imagined. I don't think we've ever played in front of that many people before!

"We'll be seeing you guys again in November on the Never Say Die Tour. It looks like our year's gonna end with a bang cause we've just been confirmed on three more Russian shows!

"We've been home for about two weeks now and just played a few killer homecoming shows. Merci à tout le monde de Granby, Rouyn-Noranda et Montréal! We'll be taking advantage of this time off from tour to finally start writing the next record. We've completed close to three songs without vocals in the past few months and can't wait to sit down and write more."

DESPISED ICON recently announced the departure of bassist Sebastien Piché. He has since been replaced by Glassman's longtime friend Max Lavelle from GORATORY.

DESPISED ICON released a "deluxe edition" of its "The Ills of Modern Man" album on June 24 featuring a bonus DVD composed of a live set from a monumental hometown performance, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The live footage includes the following songs: "A Fractured Hand", "Bulletproof Scales", "Harvesting The Deceased", "Immaculate", "Retina", "The Sunset Will Never Charm Us" and "In The Arms Of Perdition".

GAMMA RAY's long-awaited 2-DVD/2-CD DVD package "Hell Yeah! The Awesome Foursome (And The Finnish Keyboarder Who Didn't Want To Wear His Donald Duck Costume) Live in Montreal", is scheduled for release on October 27 in Europe and November 4 in the U.S. via SPV. The set will feature a multi-camera recording of the band's May 6, 2006 show at Medley in Montreal, Quebec, several "road movies," promotional clips, and footage from the group's January 2008 concert in Barcelona, Spain.

Band leader Kai Hansen looks back at GAMMA RAY's first American tour with pride and great joy, saying: "We had played in the States only once before, so this was our first headliner tour of America. Of course we had no idea what exactly to expect, but the reactions were overwhelming. The tickets sold extremely well, and the atmosphere was amazing night after night. What you see on the footage from Montreal is what we experienced at almost every show."

He continued: "We had been thinking about releasing a live DVD for a long time, especially as our faithful fans had been nagging us about one for years. Unfortunately we'd never had the time to plan and realise such a large-scale project. Well, here you go! This is a DVD the way we like it: diverse and multi-faceted, featuring a musical cross-section of the GAMMA RAY albums recorded by the current line-up since 1998. The road movie speaks for itself, and those nice little extras are great mementoes of our band history to date."

The DVD's humorous subtitle "… And The Finnish Keyboarder Who Didn't Want To Wear His Donald Duck Costume…" refers to keyboardist Eero Kaukomies who plays in the GAMMA RAY cover band GUARDIANS OF MANKIND from Helsinki and who performed with GAMMA RAY during its entire American tour. Hansen explained: "During the tour, Henjo suddenly noticed that Eero has a somewhat duck-like walk. So the crazy idea developed to make him wear a Donald Duck costume at the show in Montreal and present him to the audience. Naturally, this great suggestion didn't meet with much enthusiasm from Eero, and the whole thing became a running gag." Hansen added with a wink: "By the way, the 'awesome foursome' refers to Henjo, Dirk, Daniel and myself, in case you were wondering."

GAMMA RAY will travel to Russia at the beginning of September and is scheduled to tour America and Canada this fall. And the rest of the year? "We are collecting ideas for our next studio album," Hansen revealed. "Quite a few of them have already piled up, so come autumn we will probably begin to sort through them and go to the studio in January 2009."

Track Listing – DVD (cover):

DVD 1 – Montreal Show 2006

01. Welcome
02. Gardens Of The Sinner
03. New World Order
04. Man On A Mission
05. Fight
06. Blood Religion
07. Heavy Metal Universe
08. Dreamhealer
09. The Heart Of The Unicorn
10. Fairytale
11. The Silence
12. Beyond The Blackhole
13. Valley Of The Kings
14. Somewhere Out In Space
15. Land Of The Free
16. Rebellion In Dreamland
17. I Want Out
18. Send Me A Sign

DVD 2

Road Movie:

* Documentary from the Northamerican Tour

Video Clips:

* Space Eater
* One With The World
* Gamma Ray
* Rebellion In Dreamland
* Send Me A Sign
* Heavy Metal Universe
* Eagle
* Into The Storm

Live At Wacken Open Air 2003

* One With The World
* Last Before The Storm

Live At Wacken Open Air 2006

* Rebellion In Dreamland
* Heavy Metal Universe
* Somewhere Out In Space

Historay: Over the years private movies, backstage scenes and live performances
Unplugged: Kai and Henjo unplugged in Japan

DVD 3 (Bonus, only Europe)

Four songs from "Land Of The Free II" recorded live in Barcelona during the "Hellish Rock" tour with HELLOWEEN in January 2008:

01. Into The Storm
02. Empress
03. From The Ashes
04. Real World

Plus Backstage scenes, soundchecks, etc...

Track Listing CD:

CD 1

01. Welcome
02. Gardens Of The Sinner
03. New World Order
04. Man On A Mission
05. Fight
06. Blood Religion
07. Heavy Metal Universe
08. Dreamhealer
09. The Heart Of The Unicorn
10. Fairytale
11. The Silence

CD 2

01. Beyond The Blackhole
02. Valley Of The Kings
03. Somewhere Out In Space
04. Land Of The Free
05. Rebellion In Dreamland
06. I Want Out
07. Send Me A Sign

Bonus Tracks:

08. Into The Storm
09. Empress
10. From The Ashes
11. Real World

Former NIGHTRAGE guitarist Constantine has joined the German power metal band MYSTIC PROPHECY as a permanent member. "I feel very excited about it and it would be amazing to be in the band again with these super-cool guys!" Constantine said in a statement. "I played with them for one show the last June in Essen and I realised how good chemistry we have together as musicians both behind and on the stage and personalities as well."

He continued, "For those that haven't heard anything about me again, I can probably tell you that I'm also the main lead and rhythm guitarist behind the modern death/thrash metal band DESCENDING from my home country, Greece, and also ex-NIGHTRAGE member.

"At the moment we are preparing as hell the new album with the guys, so it would be 100% ready when we enter the studio in early December of 2008 to record it. I can tell you this one right now it will be the most heavy, melodic and aggressive MYSTIC PROPHECY album ever!"

MYSTIC PROPHECY released its latest album, "Satanic Curses", on October 19, 2007 via Armageddon Music. A single, entitled "Dark Forces", preceded the full-length CD in August.

Former BLIND GUARDIAN/SAVAGE CIRCUS drummer Thomas "Thomen" Stauch has issued the following udapte:

"I'm still working on the new power metal band with David DeFeis [vocals; VIRGIN STEELE] and Axel Ritt [guitar; DOMAIN], but since we will have a big delay completing this first album, because Axel is still very busy with his DOMAIN album recordings/mix, I use my time to replace the old drummer from the German gothic/rock/industrial band SEELENZORN! The guys are very good friends of mine since a while and I wouldn't like to miss that friendship anymore!! They are sooo nice guys!!! I know, most of you won't like this kind of music with German lyrics, but I thought I'd anyway inform you about that situation and if some of you would even like to visit our upcoming concerts this year ....we'd like to see you support us. We'll play some nice venue festivals as well this year with i.e. UMBRA ET IMAGO, DOWN BELOW, etc.! Hope to see some of you there to support us."

METALLICA's new album, "Death Magnetic", started circulating illegally online last week after a French record store mistakenly began selling copies.

"By 2008 standards, that's a victory," drummer Lars Ulrich told USA Today. "If you'd told me six months ago that our record wouldn't leak until 10 days out, I would have signed up for that. We made a great record, and people seem to be getting off on it way more than anyone expected."

Regarding the band's costly Napster battle in 2000 after an incomplete version of "I Disappear" hit the Internet before its authorized release, Ulrich said, "My fight on a daily basis is getting my kids to finish their vegetables. Technology is moving faster than the legal side. The focus should be on education, on choices and consequences. It's suppressing talent in guys who don't have record deals and don't have money for guitar strings or rent. Our issue was control, not money. We're OK, thank you."

Though their views haven't changed, "we're closer to accepting that once we make the record, and it leaves our hands, we have to let it go," said guitarist James Hetfield.

"Someone's always selfish enough to crush your master plan. Some rabid fans will steal it. Others resent that and don't want to shake the Christmas present. The majority of people who rip it aren't even fans. They do it because they can. It's a personality defect."

Guitarist Christofer Malmström of the Swedish metal band DARKANE has issued the following update:

"Today is not only the anniversary of different horrible events in New York, Chile and Stockholm, but it is also ten years since DARKANE played our debut live show. It was played at Fellinis in Uppsala, Sweden on September 11, 1998.

We had been to Uppsala (six hours of driving from our hometown Helsingborg) for the last two weeks of August to record our debut album, 'Rusted Angel', where we also met Lawrence Mackrory for the first time. We had gotten in contact with Lawrence when producer Daniel Bergstrand recommended him before the recording, and we took a shot that turned out to be a very good one. However, Lawrence made it clear that he wanted us to find another vocalist as soon as possible since he wanted to focus on his other bands.

"Anyway, by the end of the recording, Lawrence got us a gig at Fellinis which was a very small bar with metal-theme evenings every now and then. We drove to Uppsala early on the Saturday morning and got to rehearse together with Lawrence at his rehearsal studio for a couple of hours before the show. This was actually the first time DARKANE played together as a complete band. The show went pretty well... nothing special. The only one in the audience who knew our songs was producer Daniel Bergstrand. I think we played all songs from 'Rusted Angel' except for 'The Chase for Existence' which is the song we like the least on that album.

"After the show we had a party at the club and then slept in Lawrence rehearsal studio before driving back to Helsinborg the day after. The show was caught on video camera and the song 'The Rape of Mankind' ended up on the bonus material on our upcoming DVD 'Layers of Live'.

"Speaking of that DVD, you might wonder what happened to it. It is completed and everything but Nuclear Blast didn't want to release it before our next album 'Demonic Art' was released, so we will have to wait until approximately May 2009 before it's released. Too bad, but the most important thing is that it WILL be released some day... and the wait WILL be worth it."

The cover artwork for "Demonic Art", the new album from DARKANE, can be viewed here. Due in Europe on October 24 via via Massacre Records, the CD will be available in limited digipack format with exclusive bonus material.

According to the band, "12 songs ended up on the final version, with about 48 minutes of pure aggressive, brutal, melodic, modern, technical, furious, fast, heavy and insane thrash metal! We are very proud of this album and we know for sure that if you liked what we've done before you won't be disappointed in any way this time either. DARKANE has developed in a way that hopefully will give us new fans as well, not meaning that we've turned softer or more mainstream... just better! ...and more humble."

"Demonic Art" track listing:

01. Variations of an Eye Crush (instrumental)
02. Leaving Existence
03. Demonic Art
04. Absolution
05. Execution 44
06. Impetious Constant Chaos
07. Demigod
08. Soul Survivor
09. The Killing of I
10. Wrong Grave (instrumental)
11. Still in Progress
12. Wrath Connection
13. Reborn in Greed (Japanese bonus track)

DARKANE played its first show with new singer Jens Broman (CONSTRUCDEAD, THE DEFACED) in November 2007 at the ProgPower Scandinavia festival in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to Christofer Malmström, "Jens enjoyed every second of the show, and so did the rest of us. Our former vocalist Andreas was in the audience to support us, and he was very postive afterwards... along with the rest of the crowd."

DARKANE's upcoming DVD was shot in May 2006 in the band's hometown of Helsingborg, Sweden.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach is filming a video for the song "One More Battle With The Bottle" with John Rich of the country duo BIG & RICH today (Thursday, September 11) in Hollywood, California. The clip is being directed by Wayne Isham, who has a long video history working with METALLICA, QUEENSRŸCHE, JUDAS PRIEST, OZZY OSBOURNE, MÖTLEY CRÜE, BON JOVI, and DOKKEN, among others.

"One More Battle With The Bottle" is a track that Bach penned with two Nashville songwriters — Vicky McGehee and Jeffrey Steele — and that he sang at the finale of CMT's "Gone Country 2" show.

"Gone Country 2" is the follow-up to CMT's highest-rated series ever.

John Rich returns as host and judge of the show, which premiered on August 15.

Other members of "Gone Country"'s second-season cast are Grammy- and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Irene Cara; former "American Idol" fourth-season finalist Mikalah Gordon; former THE JACKSON 5 lead singer and 2007 "Celebrity Big Brother" UK houseguest Jermaine Jackson; ex-N SYNC member Chris Kirkpatrick; actor and former "Are You Hot?" judge Lorenzo Lamas; and actress Sean Young.

The show's second season follows a similar format to its first season, as each episode follows the cast as they compete against one another in challenges that test their ability to musically and physically adapt to the country-crooner lifestyle. In addition, each cast member is paired with two Nashville songwriters, who assist them in penning lyrics and music for a country single, which they'll then have the opportunity to perform.

"Gone Country" will conclude with one of the seven contestants winning the two-week competition and recording and releasing a country song.

Video footage of Bach singing one of his country songs during a "Gone Country 2" rehearsal can be viewed below.

OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has checked in with the following update:

"Just got back from the latest trip which included Sweden (well, well), Holland, Japan, China and Australia. Phew!

"First up, the Swedish gig in Malmö, down South of the country fucking RULED! It was one of my favourite gigs here, we played all right and all but the crowd were just AMAZING! I'll never talk shit about Southern Sweden again (did I ever???)!

"Holland was OK, good crowd but I don't know, seemed like a standard gig from our side. We just did it and left and now I've pretty much forgotten about it. Always love playing Holland though. What I remember most was having some childhood friends come over and party with us plus I saw the dude that used to sing with ARTCH there ('Hey Jimmy, glass o' whisky please…'), remember them?

"Then we had a bunch of horrible flights going to virtually the other side of the planet. Watched the new Indiana Jones on the flight to Japan (2/5, NOT more!).

"Japan was nothing short of SPECTACULAR! Awesome! I wanna say thanks to all our peeps over there. Everyone treated us so nice and we literally had a blast! It was our first club tour over there and I can't wait to go back. All the gigs were cool and even the travelling in between (bullet train) was a cool experience. I even got some time for some record shopping and picked up some nice stuff indeed! We hope we can come back next year…PLEASE! The fans were real nice and respectful. Loud one second, dead silent the next! Got loads of gifts for my daughters too! Thank you all so much! In Tokyo we played 'The Lotus Eater' for the first time ever, and it went OK. I think this song is going to become a highlight of our show with a few more gigs under our collective belt.

"On the way to Australia we had a day off in Hong Kong, China! It was a pretty mind-boggling experience. I mean, we didn't do much. Mendez and myself went to a German restaurant (!) and had the best sausages I've ever had in my life. But it was just strange there…very strange indeed. I can't say if I enjoyed myself or not to be honest. Have to go back I guess….

"OZ! Well, what can I say? Great experience once again! I think we're getting pretty recognized over there now. All the 5 shows got sold out and in Sydney we had over 3,000 people checking us out! We all love it there and I guess we're already talking about coming back next year. In Brisbane the authorities made the show into a 18-plus show even though they'd advertised the gig as an all-ages show. It sucked! We had lots of kids coming up to us saying they couldn't get in. I guess it was a massive disappointment to a lot of people, but I swear we'll never play that place again. We'll make it up to you folks….

"This event even got covered in the news there [see video below]…as always when something shitty happens…

"The four flights back home were horrible. 26 hours in total maybe? Watched 'Casino Royale' which was a fucking 5/5 for me who's a die-hard Bond fan! Can you believe it?

"Coming home was fantastic as always. Seeing my kids and wife has me thinking, 'What the hell am I doing being away from them all the time?' Yet, this is what I do, I love it plus I support my family doing it.

"We're going out again within days so I gotta keep this short…don't want to waste time being away from them as you can imagine. They're sleeping now as I write, but I'll take Melinda to kindergarten tomorrow morning, and quite frankly I can't wait for them to wake up so I can be with them again.

"Fuck, I'm tearing up now…"

Swedish hard rockers THE POODLES has issued the following update:

"This weekend's events marked the end of this summer's tour and pretty much the end of the entire 'Sweet Trade' tour that has been going on for about a year. A lot of things have happened during this journey, we've travelled across Europe and met so many wonderful fans in Sweden, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, all over the place. We've played more shows than we care to keep track of; we've toured together with fantastic bands and great people and had many, many laughs and a lot of wonderful times along the way, THANKS TO YOU! But the wheels are already in motion and later on this fall we're going to enter the studio to record our upcoming album and we are aiming for a release sometime during the spring of 2009. So, thank you everyone who’s been buying our CDs, coming to our shows, supporting us along the way and I don't know about you but we're already looking forward to seeing you all on the road in 2009!"

THE POODLES's latest single, "Raise The Banner", came out on July 2.

THE POODLES recently recruited guitarist Henrik Bergqvist (SOUTHFORK, TIAMAT) to replace Pontus Norgren, who left the group to join HAMMERFALL. The new axeman made his live debut with THE POODLES on June 6 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

Photo of the new THE POODLES lineup (Henrik Bergqvist is all the way on the right) can be found below.

THE POODLES — whose lineup is rounded out by frontman Jakob Samuel (THE RING, ex-TALISMAN, JEKYLL & HYDE), bassist Pontus Egberg (ex-LION'S SHARE) and drummer Christian Lundqvist — released its latest album, "The Sweet Trade", in September2007 via AFM Records.

Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED are streaming their entire new album, "Versus", on their official MySpace page. The stream will be available for one week only.

The band 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

Jyväskylä, Finland-based melodic metallers DARK THE SUNS have parted ways with keyboardist Juha Kokkonen. According to the remaining members of the group, "Juha felt that he doesn't have enough time for band anymore. We thank Juha for the time we spent together and wish all the best for him!"

DARK THE SUNS' debut album, "In Darkness Comes Beauty", was released late last year via Firebox Records.

The Pulse of Radio reports that PAPA ROACH's fifth major label album, "Metamorphosis", has officially had its release date pushed back from this fall to March of 2009, according to HardDrive Radio. The CD was tentatively slated to come out either in September or October, although a firm release date had never been established. Frontman Jacoby Shaddix admitted he was a little disappointed but told us it would be worth the wait: "It's kind of a bummer it can't come out this year, you know, but it's like, we want to set it up right, you know, and this record's just a monster. When we got done with it, we sat back and listened to all the cuts and we were just baffled that we wrote this record, you know. And I think what makes it great to us is that it was a challenge."

"Metamorphosis" will follow up 2006's "The Paramour Sessions". The disc will mark the recording debut with PAPA ROACH of ex-UNWRITTEN LAW drummer Tony Palermo, who replaced founding drummer Dave Buckner last year after Buckner went down with substance abuse issues.

One track, called "Lifeline", was co-written with James Michael of SIXX: A.M.

PAPA ROACH recently finished touring with SIXX: A.M., MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY and others as part of Crüe Fest, and will begin a new trek with STAIND and SEETHER on October 4 in Columbia, Maryland.

"Smile Pretty for the Devil", the new video from the Finnish metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM, can be viewed here. (Note: Video stream may not be available to some non-U.S. residents.) The clip will make its world television premiere this Saturday, September 13, kicking off MTV2's long-running "Headbanger's Ball" program. The video was directed by Sandra Marschner for Katapult Filmproduktion.

"Smile Pretty for the Devil" is taken from CHILDREN OF BODOM's new album, "Blooddrunk", which landed at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart after selling over 19,000 copies in its first week of release.

Having recently signed to Displeased Records, underground metal madmen ACHERON will head into the studio on September 13, 2008, to start recording their new album "The Final Conflict: Last Days of God". The CD will once again be recorded at Mars Recording Compound with Bill Korecky. The follow-up to 2003's "Rebirth: Metamorphosing into Godhood" will be a concept album based on the fall of the three major white light religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. An early 2009 release is expected.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary and a new chapter for the band, ACHERON will be revamping its logo. Dayton, Ohio tattoo artist the Reverend Chad Wells will create a new logo for ACHERON. This will be unveiled in the very near future.

Since the band has been signed and the logo will be soon changing, all the merchandise that is available now will not be re-made. This means all demos, shirts, hoodies, jackets and CDs. When they are gone, they are gone for good!

If all goes well, Vincent Crowley will be celebrating his birthday in South America this year when ACHERON invades Brazil December 12, 2008. The band is planning to do a mini-tour with Swedish death metal legends GRAVE.

Finnish female-fronted metal band AMBERIAN DAWN has issued the following update:

"Well, since we had some free time on our hands... we were thinking, 'Why not record some new stuff and put a second album out somewhere around spring 2009? Doesn't sound bad, does it? I know.... First album was just released and European tour with EPICA is more than close. Like we don't have anything else to do than go to studio... We just love creating music for you!!!

"AMBERIAN DAWN will follow the same path with the second album. We are so happy of the feedback what our debut album, 'River of Tuoni', has received. Thank you all so much for you support!! So far 13 songs have their drums and guitars recorded. Heidi [Parviainen] has done also some vocals... still long way to go but better be early than late."

Video footage from the recording sessions for the second album can be viewed below.

AMBERIAN DAWN has been confirmed for the Dames of Darkness festival, set to take place September 27 at The Asylum in Birmingham, England.

"River of Tuoni", the new video from AMBERIAN DAWN, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Matti Kuusniemi in Jyväskylä and features animated 3D graphics in the spirit of the lyrics in addition to the powerful band performance in a studio environment.

Swedish metallers PAIN will release their new album, "Cynic Paradise", on October 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to "Psalms of Extinction", which was released in 2007 via Roadrunner, features "eleven gems offering a vast variety of styles and influences which are even new for PAIN," according to a press release. NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon makes a guest appearance on two tracks — "Follow Me" and "Feed Us". The artwork was created by renowned artist Travis Smith (AMORPHIS, OPETH, NEVERMORE).

01. I'm Going In
02. Monkey Business
03. Follow Me (feat. Anette Olzon)
04. Have A Drink On Me
05. Don't Care
06. Reach Out (And Regret)
07. Generation X
08. No One Knows
09. Live Fast - Die Young
10. Not Your Kind
11. Feed Us (feat. Anette Olzon)

"Cynic Paradise" will be available as a limited-edition digipack including a bonus CD.

Finland's HardcoreSounds.Net conducted an interview with Peter Tägtgren (also of HYPOCRISY) on July 18, 2008 at the Rockperry festival in Vaasa, Finland. Watch the four-minute chat below.

PAIN's video for the track "Zombie Slam" is available for viewing at this location. The clip was shot in February 2007 in Los Angeles by Ralf Strathmann. Ralf previously worked as a director for artists like CHILDREN OF BODOM, APOCALYPTICA and SOILWORK. He is also a photographer for such bands as HIM, AEROSMITH and BLINK 182, to name but a few.

Norwegian doom metallers SYRACH have issued the following update:

"We will enter the studio next week to do a quick recording of some new tunes. We soon have a new album ready, and will start recording as soon as possible after we have returned home from our upcoming tour. Our guess is that the new stuff's gonna sound awesome. If you show up at our gigs this fall, you will be sure to catch some of [the new songs] live!"

SYRACH have issued the following update:

Due to work-related issues, SYRACH bass player Hjarandr (real name: Ørjan Setvik) will not take part in the band's upcoming European tour. He will be replaced by Mr. Øystein K.

SYRACH's debut album, "Days of Wrath", was produced by Herbrand Larsen from ENSLAVED and was released on November 2, 2007 in Europe and November 6 in North America via Napalm Records. The CD cover artwork is the painting "Christs" from MY DYING BRIDE vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe.

Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.

SYRACH was formed in 1993 in Kalandseidet, near Bergen, Norway — a region known to have spawned bands like IMMORTAL and BURZUM, to name a few.

Female singer Leeni-Maria Hovila, who is a member of the Finnish symphonic fantasy/folk metal band KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI, has issued the following statement regarding her involvement with the group EXSECRATUS:

"Leeni-Maria Hovila, vocalist since October 2006, has left the band EXSECRATUS due to personal reasons. She is going to cover some upcoming EXSECRATUS gigs as well as the next album 'Beloved Serpent'. Leeni-Maria will continue with symphonic fantasy/folk metal band KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI as well as with other future projects."

KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI has set "Shadowheart" as the title of its new album, due in October via Century Media Records.

New Jersey-based progressive thrash metal band DARK EMPIRE is seeking a new drummer.

Commented bandleader Matt Moliti: "Our two shows with SUSPYRE and ODIN'S COURT were enjoyable. It was great to see our fans come down to the shows and rock out with us! As these were the first shows with our new lineup, we realized that Omar Davila was not quite right for DARK EMPIRE. For both musical and personal reasons, we have decided to part ways with him. DARK EMPIRE wishes Omar the best in his future endeavors, and applaud him for stepping up to the plate and learning our material in such a short amount of time.

"DARK EMPIRE is seeking a new drummer. We're looking a drummer able to meet the following criteria:

1. Be comfortable and well versed in technical drumming styles (extreme metal and progressive genres).
2. Someone who has pro experience and will be able to dedicate themselves long term with the band, for both future live shows and studio sessions.
3. Be in or around the Northern New Jersey/NYC area or be willing to commute or relocate.

"DARK EMPIRE have some tentative shows planned for the fall and winter, so we're hoping to find our drummer relatively soon. If you'd like to audition, please send a bio, picture, and links to sound clips (or video if you have it) to DEdrummersearch@gmail.com. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT OUR MYSPACE ABOUT THE AUDITION. If we like what we hear/see we will contact you."

DARK EMPIRE's second album, "Humanity Dethroned", was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH).

German female-fronted melodic metallers THE MYSTERY have recorded a cover version of the DORO song "Bad Blood" for an upcoming DORO tribute album, to be released in the fall via Pure Steel Records. Also scheduled to appear on the CD are LONEWOLF, CRYSTAL VIPER, SABATON, CUSTARD, EMERALD, VOLNAYA STAYA, BOOMERANG, CAPITAL SIN, ETERNAL WINTER, ANCESTRAL, BONE SHAKER, RAVAGE and IVORY TOWER.

The vocal recordings for THE MYSTERY's version of "Bad Blood" and the final mix were completed at the legendary Woodhouse Studio with Siggi Bemm.

"Judas Betrayed", the latest video from THE MYSTERY, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's fourth album, "Soulcatcher", which was released earlier in the year via Limited Access Records.

QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS will release their new album, "The Cosmos Rocks", in Europe on September 15 via EMI and the U.S./Canada on October 14 through Hollywood Records/Universal .

"The Cosmos Rocks" track listing:

01. Cosmos Rockin'
02. Time To Shine
03. Still Burnin'
04. Small
05. Warboys
06. We Believe
07. Call Me
08. Voodoo
09. Some Things That Glitter
10. C-lebrity
11. Through The Night
12. Say It's Not True
13. Surf's Up . . . School's Out!
14. (small reprise)

Check out audio samples of all the tracks from the album at this location.

The first single, "C-lebrity", was written and produced by Brian May, Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor.