ALCATRAZZ featuring Graham Bonnet (ex-RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, IMPELLITTERI) is preparing to hit the studio and record some new material.

Commented Bonnet, "It's been hard getting started because of everybody's other commitments. I think it will be great when we can just concentrate on the band and put out some new stuff. I think though we have something a bit different this time around. We need to be new, that is, sounding. Bring the band into this century...but elements of the original sound of ALCATRAZZ in the mix with the new stuff. Hopefully we can start on that soon.'"

ALCATRAZZ featuring Graham Bonnet will headline this year's Berkrock Fest, set to take place July 24-26, 2008 in Berkovitza, Bulgaria.

ALCATRAZZ featuring Graham Bonnet is:

Graham Bonnet - Lead Vocals
Howie Simon - Guitar, Vocals
Glen Sobel - Drums
Tim Luce - Bass, Vocals

HEARSE, the Swedish "death 'n' roll" band featuring former ARCH ENEMY singer Johan Liiva and ex-FURBOWL drummer Max Thornell, has issued the following update:

"Album No. 5 is very much in the making right now. The drums were re-recorded in The Black Chapel in March (first recording got fucked-up) and guitars and bass have been recorded during the spring and summer. This time the band has also used the now legendary Swedish studio Studio Gubbsjuk for some guitar recordings. The Black Chapel has been booked again and the final recordings (vocals and guitars) are to take place in early September. There's no release date or album title so far, but as soon as there are it'll be reported."

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).

Formed by longtime friends Thornell and Liiva, HEARSE recorded a demo before signing with Hammerheart Records. The band released a limited-edition 7-inch single, entitled "Torch", prior to issuing their debut album, "Dominion Reptillian", in 2003. A follow-up effort, "Armageddon Mon Amour", came out in 2004. The group's third CD, "The Last Ordeal", was released in August 2005 through Holland's Karmageddon Media.

Guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt of the Swedish progressive metallers OPETH has issued the following update:

"OK, so we're back since my run in with the (fucking) pox! I'm doing well now, only some scars in my face which looks kinda cool! Not really.

"Did a string of festivals and it was nice to be back on track, to be honest. First one was in Finland (Ruisrock) and it was amazing! Perhaps I have to move there sometime with my family as it's so insanely great there. Show was awesome! People were chanting 'Opeth!' way after we'd gone off stage! The crew behind the stage were amazed and they almost let us back up there to do another tune!!

"Next up was Slovenia and Metalcamp. Had a nice drive over there from the airport, but as we're getting closer, it started raining. Literally pissing down, and then thunderstorms and lightning like there's no tomorrow! We heard we might have to cancel, but luckily the second stage was in decent shape so we moved the gig from the main stage and played the smaller one. Was a cool, decent gig. I guess the people were pretty tired of the rain by then, but they soldiered on and made it a very memorable night for us. Didn't see any other bands but we got a bottle of tequila from Al Jourgensen's (MINISTRY) wife. A token of their appreciation for…something, I don't know for what!? Very nice gesture, however!

"Then we went to Greece and Rockwave, which was amazing. We had three days off at a four-star hotel right on the beach. Basically, it was a brief vacation for us going there. Had Greek salads, souvlaki and tzatzikis every day. Drank with CARCASS, shook hands with Patti Smith and hung out with some great peeps! The gig was great too! But the heat almost made me pass out! The Greek crowds has always been fantastic and this was no exception. Great times. Also met some of the dudes from JUDAS PRIEST who were headlining. Their show was good! Really enjoyed it even though I was on my ass from a few drinks too many.

"Italy and Evolution festival next. Had a pretty good time there. Good food, hung out with the dudes from PAIN OF SALVATION, IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILLITY. Well, ordinary Swedish type of 'hanging out'… basically cracked a few beers together. After our show (which was great), the skies opened up again and literally the worst hailstorm or tempest or whatever, I'd ever seen started. Forcing IN FLAMES to cancel their show. We had hail the size of golf balls bombing our caravans for a good 20 minutes. It was scary! What's happening with the world???

"I love Italy, I love our fans there and I love the food, but I hate the bootleggers outside the show. They're selling cheap-looking shitty OPETH shirts on massive stands and no one does anything about it. To be honest, I'd rather our fans there wouldn't wear OPETH shirts at all if the bootlegs were the only option. It's quite horrible! We've started up our own merch company called O-merch which will have the best qualities, the best prices and coming straight from us! Even designed by us! I have no problems with bootlegs when it comes to live albums and collectable stuff like that, but shitty looking, shit-quality shirts? Yes, that bothers me!

"Another bad experience in Milan, Italy was the international airport which I think is the worst in the world! We're so ripped off and treated badly I couldn't believe it! Ugh!!

"After Italy, we went on to Holland and Bospop which was a cool festival! It was held at the same site that hosted the Dynamo festival a few years back. Now we're playing alongside ZZ TOP, TED NUGENT and EUROPE, to name a few. Hung out with EUROPE a little which was cool! Cool guys and great band! They had a brilliant show!!

"The Nuge was walking around backstage picking up trash from the floor that us other bands had been leaving behind. Gotta hand it to him! Cleaning up after us kids! He's massive too! I wouldn't mess with him in a million years! I missed his show unfortunately.

"And now I'm back home again! The day after coming back I had a recording session scheduled. As some of you might now, we have a new BLOODBATH album coming out soon. It's called 'The Fathomless Mastery', and it's so massive! It's evil and it's straight-on DEATH metal! No fuss, nothing but death! Jonas, Anders and Sodomizer have come up with 11 great songs. I wrote some lyrics to some of them but other than that I had no input whatsoever. Anyways, I recorded the vocals during a day and a half and it sounds great! Went for the David Vincent approach and I'm quite happy! The lyrics are so evil it's insane! Not only mine, but Jonas and Anders wrote some pretty retarded stuff too! Don't know when it's released but it's coming out through Peaceville anyways. It's done now, just the other day. All the recordings are done and it will be mixed by David Castillo during the coming week, I reckon.

"Now, I'm relaxing and spending time with my family, but we'll start rehearsals soon, which will be fun. We're gonna go through a bunch of new songs and a whole lotta ol' material too!

"Fredrik will come over to my place so I can teach him some older riffs.

"Oh, went to see YNGWIE MALMSTEEN with my wife a few nights ago. Can't say I dug it! I used to absolutely love him, now I could barely stand being in the concert hall, and many others with me. The set list was nice enough but I think he overplays and slaughters every song pretty much. Band was OK but nothing spectacular. I will always think he's the greatest 'metal' player in the world, but that's because I know he can play with more emotion than all other widdly woo's out there. I mean, the song 'Marching Out' alone just send shivers up my spine. Now it's like he's competing and struggling to be 'the fastest!' I left the show bewildered and a bit sad, to be honest. He's a fucking icon to me, and it was like…. 'shrug!' Well, well……!

"Had a great night out with my wife anyways, can't remember the last time we went out for dinner and to catch some tunes."

Swedish metal powerhouse AMON AMARTH has completed work on its new studio album, "Twilight of the Thunder God", due on September 30 via Metal Blade Records.

"Twilight of the Thunder God" was recorded at Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden and features "10 tracks of AMON AMARTH's menacing battle metal replete with swarming riffs and searing percussion that provides a monolithic backdrop for vocalist Johan Hegg's wracked howls and lyrics rife with Nordic mythology," according to a press release. Known for seamlessly combining the key attributes of death, black and power metal to create "fantasy-fueled sonic mayhem," AMON AMARTH (Elven-speak for “mountain of doom” in Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings") has eclipsed its previous efforts with "Twilight of the Thunder God", creating an album that places the band amongst metal's elite.

"Twilight of the Thunder God" features several high-profile guest appearances including ENTOMBED singer L.G. Petrov (on "Guardians of Asgaard"), CHILDREN OF BODOM guitarist Roope Latvala (who shreds a fierce solo on the track "Twilight of the Thunder God") and Finnish cello metal band APOCALYPTICA (a guest appearance on "Live For The Kill").

"Twilight of the Thunder God" track listing:

01. Twilight of the Thunder God
02. Free Will Sacrifice
03. Guardians of Asgaard
04. Where is Your God?
05. Varyags of Miklagaard
06. Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags
07. No Fear for the Setting Sun
08. The Hero
09. Live for the Kill
10. Embrace of the Endless Ocean

In Europe, "Twilight Of The Thunder God" will be released as a limited first edition three-disc set, including a bonus CD and a bonus DVD. This deluxe collector's edition comes in highly valuable packaging featuring special layout and the AMON AMARTH comic which is currently being published in several metal magazines all over Europe. The comic can also be viewed online at this location. The album will also be released as a limited edition gatefold two-LP on 180g etched vinyl.

Bonus CD "Live at Summer Breeze 2007":

01. Intro
02. Valhall Awaits Me
03. Runes To My Memory
04. Cry Of The Black Birds
05. Asator
06. Pursuit Of Vikings
07. Fate Of Norns
08. Without Fear
09. With Oden On Our Side
10. Where Silent Gods Stand Guard
11. An Ancient Sign Of Coming Storm
12. Victorious March
13. Death In Fire

Bonus DVD "Live at Summer Breeze 2007":

01. Intro
02. Valhall Awaits Me
03. Runes To My Memory
04. Cry Of The Black Birds
05. Asator
06. Pursuit Of Vikings
07. Fate Of Norns
08. Without Fear
09. With Oden On Our Side
10. Where Silent Gods Stand Guard
11. An Ancient Sign Of Coming Storm
12. Victorious March
13. Death In Fire

In support of "Twilight of the Thunder God", AMON AMARTH has announced a fall, 2008 North American headlining tour. The scheduled three-week trek will kick off on October 1 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. Support on the AMON AMARTH tour will be provided by Helsinki folk-metal act ENSIFERUM, Austrian blackened death metal band BELPHEGOR and Tampa, Florida melodic death metal troupe THE ABSENCE.

Following the completion of the North American headlining tour, AMON AMARTH will embark on a month-long European tour as hand-picked support for thrash metal titans SLAYER and the band's "Unholy Alliance Chapter III" tour. Also appearing on the tour will be MASTODON and TRIVIUM. AMON AMARTH will also play four shows at Zeche in Bochum, Germany in late December under the banner "Bloodshed Over Bochum". The band will play one of its first four albums in its entirety each night along with a "best-of" mix from "Fate of Norns" (2004), "With Oden On Our Side" (2006) and "Twilight of the Thunder God".

Danish death metal lords URKRAFT have posted a four-and-a-half-minute medley of songs from their upcoming third album, "A Scornful Death", on their MySpace page. Due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label, the CD was produced by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL, HIMSA, HATESPHERE) at "various locations over the last four months, including our own rehearsal, where most guitar, bass and vocal tracks have been worked with," according to the band. Drums were recorded and produced by Madsen at the studio of Anders Lundemark (KONKHRA) in Copenhagen.

"A Scornful Death" tentative track listing:

01. The Power to Crucify
02. Intermezzo
03. Eternity’s Chamber
04. A Miracle Grotesque
05. The Murderer in All Men
06. Fed To Dogs
07. Ghost 08
08. Shrieking of the Mad
09. The Prophet & The Rose

URKRAFT's last album, "The Inhuman Aberration", was released in May 2006 via Earache Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm Studios with Tue Madsen.

Singer Simo Autio has left the Finnish melodic metal band HELION. According to the group, "Simo informed us that he's quitting music and with it, HELION. Unfortunately, the last resort to find the spark, joining HELION, wasn't enough to turn his mind around: 'I should have quit altogether a year ago. During the past couple of years… I haven't had the motivation to practice, to play.' Realities of everyday life and long distances didn’t help either.

The band continued, "It seems as if the latest album should have been named 'Bad Luck' rather than 'Bad Dreams', albeit both are quite adequate to describe the latest happenings. On the other hand, no one should act surprised anymore as some might have expected this tragicomedy happen one day or another. This time it just happened sooner than any of us could have expected.

"But we did achieve something good with Simo and 'Bad Dreams and Broken Shadows', as the album sounds like what HELION should have sounded years ago. That's something all of us can be proud of. We're glad that Autio was able to lend his talents to us and help the band evolve. There's no drama involved with this and everyone's equally bummed out by it. Thus, we wish him all the best. No regrets, no hard feelings. Thank you, brother!

"As for future, it remains to be seen. As it appears, we're back to square one, but fear not as The Phoenix shall rise!"

Swedish death metal band MY OWN GRAVE will enter the studio on September 1 to begin recording its new album, "Necrology", for a 2009 release via Pulverised Records. The recording sessions will take place at Studio Domsaga and Moshpit in Sundsvall while the mixing and mastering will be carried out at Unisound with legendary producer Dan Swanö.

MY OWN GRAVE's "Unholy" EP was released in March 2007 via Pulverised. The CD was recorded at Necromorbus Studio (MÖRK GRYNING, IN BATTLE, WATAIN) with producer Sverker "Widda" Widgren (DIABOLICAL) and contains a guest appearance by SETHERIAL singer Funestus in the black metal-inspired song "Cross after Cross".

MY OWN GRAVE's debut album, "Unleash", was recorded in December 2004 and released in January 2006.

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH have set "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder" as the title of their new album, due in October via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Thornography" is a 72-minute concept record about a legendary serial killer from the 15th Century, Gilles De Rais, a French nobleman who fought alongside Joan of Arc and accumulated great wealth before becoming a satanist, sexual deviant and a murderer.

"Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder" track listing:

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

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 announced that IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers and EVERGREY keyboardist Rickard Zander will make guest appearances on the upcoming AVALANCHE album, tentatively due in early 2009.

Commented singer Jake E: "It's a great honour to have Peter and Rickard, both very talented musicians, featured on our songs."

The first song from AVALANCHE is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Commented Mörck: "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."

MASTODON bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders has shot down rumors that the band's as-yet-untitled new album will be a concept record about Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin. Yes, band drummer Brann Dailor drew a mad-eyed image of Rasputin with the band's name tangled into his untamed beard (see below). Yes, the band used the image on t-shirts, posters and stickers. But no, Rasputin won't be the subject of MASTODON's next epic prog-metal opus.

"One big rumor gets out there, and it kind of spreads quickly, which is cool," Sanders told Headbanger's Blog. "I'm glad people are speculating on what the record's gonna be. We want to keep some of the mystery behind it until the record hits the stands. But the record is not based on the life of Rasputin."

Norwegian newspaper VG is reporting that DIMMU BORGIR's 31-year-old frontman Shagrath (real name: Stian Tomt Thoresen) will marry actor Nicolas Cage's 41-year-old ex-girlfriend Christina Fulton in September. (See photo of the couple below.)

Fulton (web site) was involved in a romantic relationsip with Cage during the '90s, and they have a 17-year-old son named Weston.

The wedding ceremony will take place in Prekestolen, which is said to be one of the most fantastic sites in Norway. Tourists come from all over the world to see this incredible site with magnificent views.

"We chose to get married there, because it is a special place," stated Thoresen, who added that there will be plenty of guests.

Thoresen and Fulton met four months ago through one of the singer's associates. According to the couple, it was love at first sight.

Fulton, who is an actress, is best known for her role as "Nico", the lead singer of the VELVET UNDERGROUND in Oliver Stone's "The Doors". She has appeared in over 17 films, including Brian De Palma's "Snake Eyes", Abel Ferrara's "Dangerous Games" and the independent film "Lucinda's Spell", which earned her an award at Slamdance. She is currently developing her own reality television show, "The Single Mom Show".

Fulton made her directorial debut with the premiere of the documentary film "When Giants Collide", which received overwhelming critical acclaim for its depiction of wrestlers and the sport of wrestling.

In the coming years, the couple plans to split its time between the United States and Oslo.

Fulton recently visited Norway for the first time.

"I love Norway. It's so green and majestic here," she said.

Legendary British rock band URIAH HEEP will perform one of the most unusual shows of its illustrious career next week when it plays a free gig for the inmates of Rottenburg prison in Germany.

Housed in a former castle, the prison will also act as the location for the German launch of URIAH HEEP's first new album in ten years, "Wake The Sleeper".

The concert is being funded by the local city administration, the prison's director Wolfgang Willard announced last Wednesday in Rottenburg (District of Tübingen).

The band will play for one hour in front of about 500 prisoners, and actually had declined to receive a concert fee.

URIAH HEEP has been successful since the beginning of the 70s, with hits like "Lady in Black" and more.

"Considering the number of prisoners attending this gig, this can be considered a first", said Willard, who also emphasized the importance of such an event.

Vans has rolled out a shoe based on the IRON MAIDEN artwork for "The Trooper" from the band's 1983 album "Piece Of Mind". You can charge into battle and live to skate another day in this classic Sk8-Hi, featuring original artwork from the single's cover. Also available as slip-ons.

Vans is a Southern California-based manufacturer of sneakers, skateboarding shoes and other shoe types catering primarily to the skateboarder/surfer youth market.
First photo
Second Photo

Marie-Louise Gumuchian of Reuters reports: Dressed in his traditional brown robe, sandals and twirling the rope around his waist, 62-year old Friar Cesare Bonizzi is no ordinary heavy metal rocker.

But as guitarists around him grind out heavy notes, the long-white-bearded Capuchin, a former missionary in Ivory Coast, has no qualms bobbing his head and shouting lyrics about alcohol, sex, tobacco and life in general into his microphone.

Describing himself as a "preacher-singer", Bonizzi has been singing for over a decade, and last month wowed heavy metal fans at Italy's Gods of Metal festival, where he performed with his band FRATELLO METALLO (Metal Brother) alongside groups such as IRON MAIDEN.

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER will enter the studio on August 15 to begin recording their new album for a January 2009 release. The new CD will reportedly be another concept album. Frontman Chris Boltendahl says, "We work with high pressure at new song. The first pre-production is finished. 10 songs are nearly finished. Arranged and composed. Two furthermore in process."

GRAVE DIGGER's new web site, www.grave-digger-clan.com, will be launched this Sunday, July 20 "around midnight."

The band will hit the road again in January 2009, with ALESTORM as direct support.

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH will release its new studio album, "The Fathomless Mastery", on October 6 via Peaceville Records. The band described the upcoming CD as representing "nothing but hateful brutality." Promising its "most crushing production yet," the group's lineup on "The Fathomless Mastery" is the same as that on BLOODBATH's "Unblessing the Purity" mini-CD, which came out in March:

Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH) - Vocals
Martin "Axe" Axenrot (OPETH) - Drums
Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström (KATATONIA) - Guitar
Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA) - Bass
Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson (ex-21 LUCIFERS, GENOCRUSH FEROX) – Guitar

"The Fathomless Mastery" track listing:

01. At The Behest Of Their Death
02. Mock The Cross
03. Iesous
04. Wretched Human Mirror
05. Treasonous
06. Devouring The Feeble
07. Hades Rising
08. Slaughtering The Will To Live
09. Earthrot
10. Process Of Disillumination
11. Drink From The Cup Of Heresy

Check out the cover artwork by Dusty Peterson below.

BLOODBATH released a live CD/DVD digipack entitled "The Wacken Carnage" on June 2 in Europe and June 24 in the U.S. via Peaceville. The package contains footage of the band's appearance at the 2005 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival.

"Velatum", the first video from the Austrian symphonic melodic metal band SERENITY, can be viewed below. The clip was shot in early July with director Robert Geir.

"Velatum" comes off SERENITY's new album, "Fallen Sanctuary", which will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

August 27 - Finland
August 29 - Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg
September 1 - Rest of Europe
September 9 – USA/Canada

The CD was mixed by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR), who "has provided a state-of-the-art sound for SERENITY's brilliant new offerings," according to a press release.

"Fallen Sanctuary" track listing:

01. All Lights Reversed
02. Rust Of Coming Ages
03. Coldness Kills
04. To Stone She Turned
05. Fairytales
06. The Heartblood Symphony
07. Velatum
08. Derelict
09. Sheltered (By The Obscure)
10. Oceans Of Ruby
11. Journey's End (limited-edition bonus track)

SERENITY's debut album, entitled "Words Untold & Dreams Unlived", came out in April 2007.

Wenn man über das schreiben soll, was gestern in Polen passiert ist, sucht man lange nach den richtigen Worten, denn man muß und will doch vor allem anderen deutlich machen, daß es sich lediglich um die Resultate ideologischer Auswucherungen einiger weniger Individuen handelt, nicht aber um das Gedankengut eines ganzen Landes.

Zu aller erst jedoch möchte ich an dieser Stelle aber zum Ausdruck bringen, daß es uns unendlich Leid tut, daß wir gestern nicht für euch spielen konnten. Wir alle hatten uns sehr auf das Konzert gefreut ...

Sicher sind unsere Arbeit und meine Botschaften nicht immer leicht zu verstehen, und man kann ja auch nicht gerade behaupten, daß ich es Lesern wie Hörern gerade leicht mache, aber eins sollte doch aus meinen Worten stets klar und deutlich hervorgegangen sein: ...

Wir sind weder Schwarzmagiere noch Satanisten. Wir glorifizieren oder unterstützen derartiges Gedankengut zudem in keinster Weise. Ich hoffe dieser Punkt ist hiermit ein für allemal und in aller Deutlichkeit geklärt!

Ich sehe die Welt sicherlich sehr kritisch und bin außerdem oft erschüttert über die Dinge, die da draußen geschehen, aber im Endeffekt haben die religiösen Fanatiker, die die Stromzufuhr zum gestrigen Konzert in Klodzko durchtrennt haben und somit ein ganzes Festivalereignis zerstörten, meine Skepsis am menschlichen Verstand erneut untermauert und in meinen Augen lediglich ihre Intoleranz und Unfähigkeit in der heutigen Welt zu leben und zu Kommunizieren zum Ausdruck gebracht.

Ich respektiere Gläubigkeit und Religion. Das beteure ich stets. Ich denke jedoch, daß die Basis eines jeden Zusammenlebens nur dann gewährleistet ist, wenn dieser Respekt gegenseitig vorzufinden ist.

Wir lassen uns jedoch von derartigen Ereignissen in keinster Weise einschüchtern oder verjagen. Wir werden wieder nach Polen kommen, um dort für viele treue Fans unsere Musik live zu präsentieren, und am Ende muß doch vor allem eins klar sein: Nur wer spricht, dem kann geholfen werden. Sprecht mit uns, und ihr werdet sehen, wieviel uns Toleranz und Gleichberechtigung bedeutet.

... und wie sagt Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Meyer, der Präsident des ZdK (Zentralkomitte der deutschen Katholiken), auf www.zdk.de so schön:

"Als Christen sind wir dazu aufgerufen, aus unserem Glauben heraus unsere grundlegenden Werte in die Gestaltung der Welt einzubringen, solidarisch zu sein mit den Menschen unserer Zeit. Wir sind Teil der Gesellschaft und identifizieren uns mit ihr. Wir stehen ihr aber auch in kritischer Distanz gegenüber. In dieser Distanz werden christliche Freiheit und das Wissen um eine Wirklichkeit, die irdisches Dasein übersteigt, deutlich. Im Dialog untereinander und mit allen Menschen, die die Überzeugung von der Unveräußerlichkeit der Würde eines jeden Menschen teilen, wollen wir nach Wegen suchen, wie wir dem Auftrag zur Solidarität gerecht werden können."

... und nun fragen wir uns doch wohl zu Recht, wo diese Solidarität und Würde gestern geblieben ist! Einen Dialog habe ich wohl auch verpaßt, denn eine kritische Distanz läßt sich bekanntlich nur so überwinden.

Herzliche Grüße an all die Menschen, die tiefer blicken, welchem Glauben oder welcher religiösen oder spirituellen Gesinnung sie auch immer angehören mögen, denn letztendlich legen nicht nur Deine Worte ein Zeugnis über Dich ab, sondern vor allem Deine Taten.

Euer Adrian

Former STRATOVARIUS mastermind Timo Tolkki has issued the following update on his current band REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE:

"So we are getting together early September to make some demos, pics and videos. Also in September we will open the website which will include videos and interviews from the demo sessions. We will re-record some 'New Era' [REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's recently released debut album] songs and some STRATOVARIUS songs as well and you can listen to them as streaming versions from the website. Also we will give you one totally new track as high-quality MP3 that you can download for free from the upcoming website. Things are definitely moving on very nicely."

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE recently signed a four-album deal with JVC Victor in Japan for the territories of Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, India, Mongolia, Indonesia, East Timor, Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma and Singapore. The negotiations for the other territories are still in progress.

JVC Victor has released all STRATOVARIUS records in Japan since 1992.

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE will embark on a South American tour in early December. The band intends to return to play more shows to South/Central/ North America after the new album has been released and after its European and Asian tour dates.

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's current lineup includes keyboardist Mike Khalilov, Brazilian drummer Bruno Agra and Brazilian singer Gus Monsanto (ex-ADAGIO).

"New Era", the debut album from REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, is described in a press release as "a masterpiece of melodic power metal, taking the listener straight back to the 'Visions'-era STRATOVARIUS. In fact, 'New Era' is the album that was meant to be the next STRATOVARIUS album." Guest musicians on the CD include Michael Kiske (vocals; HELLOWEEN), Tobias Sammet (vocals; EDGUY, AVANTASIA), Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN).

Finnish metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM will release their fourth album, "The Redshift", 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

Check out the album artwork below (artwork created by Olli Lappalainen).

"A New Beginning", the new video from Canadian metallers THREAT SIGNAL, can be viewed below. The clip was shot on April 10 with award-winning film director RT of 235 Films. The track comes off the group's debut album, "Under Reprisal", which was released in North America on August 22, 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.

THREAT SIGNAL recently uploaded a demo version of a new song, entitled "Beyond Recognition", on the group's MySpace page.

The band's vocalist Jon Howard has joined forces with FEAR FACTORY members Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drums) in a new group called ARKAEA.

ARKAEA is scheduled to enter the studio to begin recording its debut album. The CD promises to be as pummeling as anything the team of Olde Wolbers and Herrera has ever written.

"A Certain Death", the new video from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metalcore act MISERY SIGNALS, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by David Brodsky, who has previously worked with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ALL THAT REMAINS and HELMET, among others. "We filmed our scenes in a burnt down hotel in a abandoned town in upstate New York," explained vocalist Karl Schubach. "It was definitely condemned, I don't know how they got us in there, but it was dark, dirty with gutted wood beams, blackened walls and if you weren't careful, you could fall into the basement that was flooded with some kind of liquid." Guitarist Ryan Morgan added, "It's a pretty abstract video, so you have to focus on the visual elements to figure out what's going on."

The song comes off the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metalcore act's third full-length album, "Controller", due on July 22 via Ferret Music. The CD was recorded with producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARKEST HOUR, SOILWORK) and is the group's second to feature vocalist Karl Shubach.

"Controller" track listing:

01. Nothing
02. Weight of the World
03. Labyrinthian
04. Parallels
05. Coma
06. A Certain Death
07. Set in Motion
08. Ebb and Flow
09. Reset
10. Homecoming

Woodbridge, Virginia-based power metal band FORGOTTEN REALM — which consists of David Fefolt (VALHALLA, HAWK, MASI) on vocals, Matthew Mills on guitar, Brian Sanders on bass, and Rhino (MANOWAR, HOLYHELL) on drums — has released its debut album, "Power and Glory", via Sonic Age Records. The CD was recorded at Saltmine Studios in Mesa, Arizona and features "10 metal anthems" and a cover of the RAINBOW classic "Man on the Silver Mountain".

"Power and Glory" track listing:

01. Path To The Fire
02. Time
03. Heart Turned To Stone
04. Mountain Of Dreams
05. Eyes Of My Soul
06. Shattered Horizons
07. Forgotten Realm
08. On Wings Like The Eagles
09. Forged In Steel
10. Freedom Calls
11. Man On The Silver Mountain

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will release a brand new double-DVD, titled "Black Symphony", on September 22. It will also be available as a double-CD and a special Blu-Ray disc.

A five-minute trailer for the DVD can be viewed below.

The band's most ambitious staging to date, Black Symphony was a unique concert at Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena on February 7, 2008. Sold out months in advance, the show featured WITHIN TEMPTATION performing to 10,000 fans with the 60-piece Metropole Orchestra and a 20-voice classical choir, as well as on-stage stilt performers, costume changes, and an array of stunning pyrotechnic and lighting effects. The colossal production extended to Europe's largest video screen (a massive 400 sqm), reaching across the entire width of the stage, and 14 full HD cameras. Special guests on the night included Keith Caputo (LIFE OF AGONY), Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-THE GATHERING), and George Oosthoek (ORPHANAGE).

In addition to the Rotterdam concert, a plethora of bonus content and extensive behind the scenes footage will be included. Although full details will be made available at a later date, it is likely to feature the band's 2007 year-end show at the Beursgebouw in Eindhoven, of which one highlight was an exclusive acoustic set.

WITHIN TEMPTATION is looking forward to supporting the legendary IRON MAIDEN in London this month. For the first time ever, WITHIN TEMPTATION will also take to the stage in Israel, the Ukraine, and Greece this year, before closing 2008 with some exclusive seated shows in The Netherlands and Belgium.

NEVERLAND, the collaboration between Turkey's progressive power metal band DREAMTONE and Greek artist Iris Mavraki, will have a special edition of its debut album, "Reversing Time", released in Turkey at the end of July via AFM/Ghostwall Records. This package contains:

* 10 songs from the original "Reversing Time" album
* European limited-edition bonus song "Once Again This Life"
* Demo versions of "To Lose the Sun" and "Reversing Time"
* 24-pages redesigned booklet with special photography and bandmember comments
* Special CD packaging
* Optional versions with/without NEVERLAND t-shirts

Pre-orders will be available at the end of July through the www.dreamtone.net "Merch Shop."

Reunited '80s melodic heavy rock band DRIVER — featuring powerhouse vocalist Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI, JOSHUA, WARRIOR, AVANTASIA, AXEL RUDI PELL) and acclaimed guitarist/producer Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST, SEBASTIAN BACH, ROB ROCK, TRIBE OF GYPSIES, HELLOWEEN) — will release its debut album, "Sons Of Thunder", on September 26 via Metal Heaven.

DRIVER issued a widely circulated five-song cassette EP demo in 1990 that garnered the band a dedicated worldwide following as well as attained cult status as one of the most underrated hard rock acts of its time. Since then, Rock and Roy Z have forged ahead to garner long successful careers in the music business. 2008 saw the reunion of the band which resulted in the recordings of the aforementioned CD.

DRIVER is:

Rob Rock - Vocals
Roy Z - Guitars
Reynold "Butch" Carlson - Drums
Ed Roth - Keyboards
Aaron Samson - Bass

"Sons Of Thunder" track listing:

01. Titans of Speed
02. I'm a Warrior (mp3 clip)
03. Fly Away
04. Heart's on Fire
05. Sons of Thunder
06. Never Give Up (mp3 clip)
07. Change of Heart (mp3 clip)
08. Dark World
09. Winds of March
10. Only Love Can Save Me Now
11. Tears That I Cry
12. I Believe in Love

Former GREEN CARNATION vocalist Kjetil Nordhus has issued the following update:

"Been in Italy now for almost two weeks. After experiencing a heat shock on my arrival, I am slowly getting used to the new temperatures. I am hanging in there — in half tempo.

"The first few days were spent in Rome, and after that I found myself a very nice spot in the outskirts of the city. Very countryside-ish. Perfect for me. Here I can read all day, stay by the pool if I want, create music or lyrics, or simply hop on the bus to Rome if I feel I need that.

"The result of the first two weeks all by myself in Italy is something like this:

* Sketches to six new songs
* Sketches for lyrics on two songs

"The songs are being developed day by day, and they reach from the very quiet and tender, to what (in my head) is going to sound very, very massive.

"I've had enough of Italy-all-by-myself quite soon, and yesterday I booked myself a flight from Rome to Dublin. I'm going Wednesday week, to stay at a friends place in Dublin. Hopefully there will also be time for some trips within Ireland — a country I love so much. My friend has a home studio, and I will use the daytime (when he's at work) to work with my songs, and maybe do some jamming with him during the evenings (when we're not down the pub).

"I'll be staying in Ireland until the beginning of August, and the TOM WAITS gig in Dublin on July 31st is going to be a fantastic end of my little summer-of-2008-adventure."