According to the web site of the Florida Department of Corrections, former MORBID ANGEL guitarist Richard Brunelle was released from the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution, located just north of Tampa, on June 21, 2008 after serving 14 months for cocaine possession.

The official Florida Department of Corrections photo of Brunelle can be viewed below.

Brunelle was in MORBID ANGEL from 1985 until 1992 and he appeared on the band's first two albums, 1989's "Altars of Madness" and 1991's "Blessed are the Sick". He returned to the group a couple of times — most notably in 1994 and 1998 — to help out with live work, but he never took part in any additional recording sessions with the band.

In a 2002 interview with Metal Side, Brunelle was asked why he left MORBID ANGEL. "I am no longer in MORBID ANGEL because we felt that it was time for me to move on," he replied. "There were some things that I could not see; I needed to explore a different path."

Brunelle formed PATHS OF POSSESSION in 1999 with Randy Butman (SILHAVEN), Jay Fossen and Erin "Goat" Fuller (CRYPTIC WINDS) and appeared on the group's independently released CD-R demo "Legacy in Ashes" in 2000.

Legendary UK doom metallers MY DYING BRIDE have issued the following update:

"MY DYING BRIDE would like to formally announce the new keyboardist/violinist, Katie Stone. We will have a full profile update and pictures as soon as the band has time from the gigs/studio work they are presently engaged in. Katie is also involved in the new studio album. More as we get it."

MY DYING BRIDE recently announced the extension of their partnership with Peaceville Records.

On signing the new deal, guitarist Andrew Craighan commented, "We've been with Peaceville since the release of our very first album way back in 1992 and it's a pleasure to announce that we'll continue working together for the coming future, as we feel there is a great understanding between ourselves and Peaceville moving forward, and both look forward to bringing more crushing doom your way soon."

MY DYING BRIDE is currently recording its highly anticipated follow-up to 2006's "A Line of Deathless Kings" with longtime producer Mags. A late 2008 release is expected.

Peaceville Records in April released MY DYING BRIDE's "An Ode to Woe", a two-disc live CD/DVD in digibook packaging.

The show — which was originally streamed on the online concert channel Fabchannel.com — was filmed at the world-famous Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland, in April 2007. The legendary venue (previous performers include NICK CAVE, THE ROLLING STONES, NIRVANA and the SEX PISTOLS) provides the perfect setting for this special gig.

The band, including newest members Dan Mullins (drums) and bassist Lena Abé, alongside original members Aaron Stainthorpe and Andrew Craighan (the lineup completed by Hamish Glencross on guitars and Sarah Stanton on keyboards), storm through renditions of favorites from as far back as their 1992 debut "As the Flower Withers", right through to latest studio album, "A Line of Deathless Kings", and not forgetting the inclusion of timeless MDB classics like "The Cry of Mankind".

OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has issued the following update:

"Well, first up, thanks to everyone who's been writing me and wishing me a swift recovery from the chicken pox. I'm feeling better today, but still will have to take some pills for another few days. It's been horrible to say the least! Fucking horrible!

"I took some pictures of myself when I was feeling the worst, and it's not a pretty sight! I could qualify for any zombie movie, and I wouldn't even need any make up.

"Either way, feeling better today and I'm hoping I can play the next show as scheduled. It's a highly contagious disease so I'm hoping I haven't contaminated anyone else during the last few trips. Speaking of which, we've had a blast playing Turkey and France (Hellfest)! Both were awesome shows and had a lot of people checking us out! Amazing!

"So sorry for the cancelled gigs, especially the ones in my home country since we rarely play here! Hörrni! Jag är ledsen, men det ordnar sig. Snart ska vi rocka tillsammans som Jerry Williams 1964!

"Family is doing well, I feel sorry for my wife who now has three kids to take care of, and I'm like the worst kid from hell when I'm sick. She's been a trooper and I am so fucking lucky to have her! Melinda and Mirjam have recovered totally from the pox and are doing just fine.

"I emailed a list of songs that I want us to go through for the upcoming headlining tours to the other guys. Let me say it's a pretty massive list, maybe 30-40 songs, and very exciting ones too! We'll see which ones sound the best at rehearsals. Can't wait!

"OK, let me leave you all with another thank you and hope to see ya soon!"

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN kicked off the European leg of their 2008 "Somewhere Back In Time" world tour with a headlining appearance earlier tonight (Friday, June 27) at the Gods of Metal festival in Bologna, Italy.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Aces High
02. 2 Minutes To Midnight
03. Revelations
04. The Trooper
05. Wasted Years
06. The Number Of The Beast
07. Can I Play With Madness?
08. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner
09. Powerslave
10. Heaven Can Wait
11. Run To The Hills
12. Fear Of The Dark
13. Iron Maiden
14. Moonchild
15. The Clairvoyant
16. Hallowed Be Thy Name

According to Martin Carlsson of the Swedish newspaper Expressen who attended the concert, "because of the Italian authorities, MAIDEN weren't allowed to shoot off fireworks during 'The Number Of The Beast'."

The Pulse of Radio reports that SYSTEM OF A DOWN vocalist Serj Tankian has been touring in support of his first solo album, 2007's "Elect the Dead", and the highlights of his last eight months on the road may soon be documented in a DVD. The singer told The Pulse of Radio that the package could contain a lot of previously unreleased material. "It's funny, 'cause the record's only 45 minutes and we've headlined a lot of shows where we've played an hour fifteen, so that's 30 minutes of music," he said. "So there's covers, there's new songs, there's unreleased stuff, so we have a lot of stuff that we can release on such a vehicle like a DVD."

Tankian added that the set, which is only in tentative planning stages, might include all 14 videos he made for the album, live performances from Europe, behind-the-scenes footage and live audio from some shows.

The latest single from "Elect the Dead" is called "Lie Lie Lie".

Tankian is working with playwright Steven Sater on composing the score for a musical called "Prometheus Bound" and also plans to record a jazz album.

He will perform at the single-day Ozzfest with OZZY OSBOURNE and METALLICA on August 9 in Dallas.

UK atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA will release its new album, "Hindsight", on CD on August 25 via on Kscopcoe. It will be available to download from August 11.

To mark the release, Kscope has launched a new web site at this location. The site contains information on the release and forthcoming tour dates, audio samples, downloads, cover and more. In addition to this, for a limited period, fans who sign up to the mailing list will receive a free MP3 of the track "Fragile Dreams".

"Hindsight" features old and new favourites from the band's career, with new arrangements utilizing acoustic, electrical and orchestral instruments to construct the deep, emotional landscapes ANATHEMA has become renowned for. This album will also feature the beautiful cello playing of Dave Wesling from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. A close friend of the band, Dave previously toured with the band in 2004 and is featured on the DVD "A Moment in Time".

The record has been arranged, recorded, performed and produced solely by the band.

ANATHEMA has been at the forefront of the UK rock/metal movement for many years. They began their journey as pioneers of melodic heavy music, influencing a myriad of bands to follow them, before outgrowing all genres and limitations as they fearlessly explored new territory and new ways to express feeling through sound. They have gained a sizable worldwide following and much critical acclaim. Having played hundreds of shows in over 30 countries on their "Natural Disaster" tour, they are currently working on the follow-up to "Hindsight", an album of brand new material entitled "Horizons".

"Hindsight" is preceded by a two-track download single which features the brand new track "Unchained (Tales Of The Unexpected)" alongside a new arrangement of "Flying". This will be available from all major download platforms from July 28.

"Hindsight" track listing:

01. Fragile Dreams
02. Leave No Trace
03. Inner Silence
04. One Last Goodbye
05. Are You There?
06. Angelica
07. A Natural Disaster
08. Temporary Peace
09. Flying
10. Unchained (Tales Of The Unexpected)

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.

GRAVE DIGGER will hit the road again in January 2009, with ALESTORM as direct support.

GRAVE DIGGER's latest album, "Liberty or Death", entered the German Media Control chart in January 2007 at position No. 30. This is the second highest chart entry in GRAVE DIGGER's history.

"Liberty or Death" was released in North America on January 30, 2007 via Locomotive Records. An e-card for GRAVE DIGGER's maxi-single "Yesterday", which was released on October 10, 2006, is available at this location.

Long-running UK extreme metallers BENEDICTION have posted a new song, "Immaculate Façade", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Killing Music", due on August 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Organized Chaos" was produced by ANAAL NATHRAKH mastermind Mick Kenney and features several guest musicians, including Karl Willets (BOLT THROWER), Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST), Billy Gould (ex-FAITH NO MORE), The Fog (FROST), Markus Staiger (Nuclear Blast Records owner) and Thorsten Zahn from Metal Hammer Germany. A limited-edition version of the album will include two bonus tracks and a DVD.

"Killing Music" track listing:

01. Intro
02. The Grey Man
03. Controlopolis (Rats In The Mask)
04. Killing Music
05. They Must Die Screaming
06. Dripping With Disgust
07. Wrath And Regret
08. As Her Skin Weeps
09. Cold, Deathless, Unrepentant
10. Immaculate Façade
11. Burying The Hatchet
12. Beg, You Dogs
13. Betrayer (bonus track)*
14. They Bleed (bonus track)*
15. Seeing Through My Eyes (BROKEN BONES cover song)
16. Largactyl (AMEBIX cover song)

* Only available on the limited edition

Commented bass player Frank Healy: "Sound-wise we aimed for something nice and rough. We got a bit sick of all these 'polished'-sounding albums."

The cover artwork was created by Smoking Beagle Designs.

German death metallers OBSCURA are currently recording their new album with producer V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS) at The Crypt Studios in Germany.

OBSCURA bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-PESTILENCE) comments: "I just got back from Landschut, Germany, where we've finished most of the recordings for the new album. I'm very excited about the new OBSCURA material; it sounds extremely brutal and technical compared with PESTILENCE's 'Spheres' (1993). We are looking forward to play most of the new songs during the upcoming shows."

OBSCURA recently announced the addition of former NECROPHAGIST guitarist Christian Muenzner to the group's ranks.

The band's new lineup is as follows:

Steffen Kummerer - Guitar, Vocals
Christian Muenzner (ex-NECROPHAGIST) - Guitar
Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-PESTILENCE) - Bass
Hannes Grossmann (ex-NECROPHAGIST) - Drums

An interview with OBSCURA conducted on September 15, 2007 at the Dvorište club in Novi Sad, Serbia by Thea (Teodora Bahun) of the TV show "Demo_NS" on RTV Panonija has been posted on YouTube. The 11-minute clip, which includes footage of the band's performance, can be viewed below.

OBSCURA's upcoming CD will feature cover art and layout by German artist Timo Wuerz.

Released in 2006, OBSCURA's debut album, "Retribution", was produced by Alex Krull (ATROCITY, LEAVES' EYES) and includes guest appearances by V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS), Matthias Röderer (ATROCITY), Thorsten Bauer (ATROCITY) and Martl (PROFANITY).

For more information, visit www.obscura-metal.com.

Swedish metallers OPETH have issued the following update:

"Due to Mikael [Åkerfeldt, guitar/vocals] contracting varicella (chicken pox), the appearances this weekend, Peace & Love (Borlänge, Sweden on June 26), Hovefestivalen (Norway on June 27), Metaltown (Gothenborg, Sweden on June 28), and Graspop Metal Meeting (Dessel, Belgium on June 29), have all been cancelled. We hope to have Mike on his feet again as soon as possible, and obviously apologize to all and any that had set out to see OPETH this weekend."

"Watershed", the new album from OPETH, sold more than 19,000 copies of in the United States in its first week of release.

"Watershed" is the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000. OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", opened with a little over 5,000 copies.

"Ghost Reveries" has sold more than 95,000 copes in the United States since its 2005 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have issued the following update:

"We are in the middle of recording bass for the new record and it is sounding very powerful and everything is coming together nicely. Today we got a call from our agent asking us to step in for OPETH who has to cancel a a show tomorrow at Hovefestivalen in Norway and Metaltown in Gothenburg on Saturday. It seemed like an ideal break from the studio. It is a workload of another world to organize SATYRICON's machinery on such extremely short notice, but somehow we have managed and we very much looking forward to be firing on all cylinders Friday at 20.00 at Hove and Saturday at 17.30 at Metaltown. It's going to be good to see you all!"

SATYRICON's new album will be released on November 3 via Roadrunner Records. The CD is being recorded at Sound City studios in Van Nuys, California, where METALLICA recently recorded its forthcoming LP.

As previously reported, SATYRICON has recruited two new members for its live shows. The rhythm guitar is now handled by French axeman Gildas Le Pape, who has been playing black and thrash metal, as well as jazz, for quite a few years. The band's new touring bassist is Victor Brandt (Sweden) from the death metal band DOMINION and TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER. Victor Brandt can also be heard on the new SATYRICON EP "My Skin Is Cold".

A previously unreleased SATYRICON song, "My Skin Is Cold", is included on the band's new EP of the same name, which was issued on June 2 in most of Europe.

"My Skin Is Cold" was released as a seven-inch gatefold vinyl single including a five-track CD. This is the only physical version of the EP and the packaging is said to be "truly one of a kind!"

The EP was relased via Roadrunner Records worldwide, except in Norway, where it came out through SATYRICON's new partner, Indie Recordings.

Fan-filmed video footage of SATYRICON performing the song "My Skin Is Cold" on June 21, 2008 at Hellfest in Clisson, France can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "triptykon").

Finnish atmospheric doom metallers SILENTIUM have issued the following update:

"After a while of silence, the band has retired to a studio in central Finland. At this point the drums, the bass and most of the guitars [for the next SILENTIUM album] have been recorded. Some of the vocals have been recorded as well, although Riina [Rinkinen; female vocals] and Matti [Aikio; bass, vocals] are due to return to the studio in July. The band has some major surprises reserved for their loyal fans, who have been more than patient in the wait for the new album. All the Silentians agree that the new material is the most impressive up to date! Prepare yourselves for a massive music experience. This fall, SILENTIUM will be back, more powerful than ever!"

SILENTIUM's new album, which is scheduled for release on October 29, is being produced by the multi-talented mainman of WALTARI, Kärtsy Hatakka.

Commented keyboardist Sami Boman: "I'm very excited of this chance to work with him (Kärtsy). His innovativeness and unbiasedness is second to none. Kärtsy can reach the feelings behind the music, whenever it's fragile or vast, even brutal soundmass."

"Dead Silent", the latest video from SILENTIUM, can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's "Seducia" album, which was released in January 2006 via Dynamic Arts Records. The CD was the sequel to the "Frostnight" single, which came out in October 2005. According to a Dynamic Arts press release, the album "delivers bombastical, cold atmospheres" with a total running time of 48 minutes.

"Seducia" was the group's first full-length release to feature vocalist Riina Rinkinen, who joined the group in July 2004.

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:

"Home again after the longest touring stint of our career! Without being too long-winded, let us express our gratitude to towards everyone that participated on the trip; the other bands, the crew, the promoters and of course all you people coming to the shows.

"The third leg of the tour, in South/Latin America, was as amazing as expected. Mexico and Colombia are among or fave places in earth, and getting to play in Chile and Argentina for the first time was fantastic. Rounding off by returning to Istanbul for the first time in seven years was also an experience to remember. Our 2001 gig there was a bit crippled due to the fact that we had to bring a session drummer in on short notice, so it's great that we finally could deliver a full set to the ever passionate Turkish fans.

"So — to conclude, we had a blast. Special you-should-have-been-there moment: The show in Argentina, where the audience stole the show by singing to us in between songs. This is how you give a band goosebumps: video (see below) from Teatro Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 20, 2008.

"We'll get some more video and photo material up in the near future, but for now we'll spend a few days relaxing before getting ready for the Peace & Love and Metaltown festivals this weekend. No rest for the wicked!

"Speaking of tours, most of you have probably read about our headline touring plans for the autumn. Full press releases about this will be made in the near future, but for now we can confirm that we'll be part of the Close-Up Made Us Do It tour, supported by ENGEL and DEAD BY APRIL."

Century Media Records reissued DARK TRANQUILLITY's latest album, "Fiction", last month as an expanded edition in conjunction with the start of the band's just-completd North American tour. The new version is composed of a CD/DVD and features a slew of new material.

Norway's Dagbladet newspaper has published a letter from the mother of Varg Vikernes (a.k.a. Count Grishnackh) — the former BURZUM mastermind who is currently serving a Norwegian prison term for the August 1993 murder of MAYHEM guitarist Oystein Aarseth (a.k.a. Euronymous) — in which she argues that her son is being unfairly treated by the justice officials who recently denied his parole application for the second time. An excerpt from her letter follows.

"We — the family — are now powerless witnesses to the difficult situation Varg is in. A difficult situation filled with hate and obstructiveness [on the part of the] justice officials.

"It is with great concern that we note the lack of cooperation between the KSF (the justice officials at both the regional and central level) and the prison. Twice now already Varg's application for parole has been denied despite recommendations for release from the Trondheim Prison in 2006 and Tromsø Prison in 2008. Even the PST (Norwegian security service) is now recommending Varg's release.

"When Varg's application was recently denied, the management at the Tromsø Prison was stunned and advised him to re-apply immediately, which he has since done.

"It appears to us that the case workers at the Justice Ministry have made the decision that Varg should not be released and are therefore constantly seeking out new arguments to use in an effort to deny his parole application. Despite the fact that Varg has been in an open prison in Tromsø for almost a year and has participated in various social activities and has been on furlough from Tromsø to his home and has traveled by taxi, plane, train, ferry and car without any problems, they still believe that he is not able to take care of himself. This is absolutely absurd! Varg is managing exceptionally well and even I have to admit that it's completely incredible that he is responding to life outside the walls as well as he is after spending 15 years in prison."

Vikernes — who is married, with one daughter (aged 15) and a son (aged nine months) — is serving a 21-year sentence, the maximum that Norwegian law allows, for murder and setting fire to three churches in 1993.

In denying his parole, the Justice Ministry pointed to the fact that Vikernes escaped from prison in 2003 and that he has ties to neo-Nazi groups.

World-exclusive performances from METALLICA, MACHINE HEAD, TRIVIUM, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, DREAM THEATER and DEVILDRIVER are among the tracks featured on Kerrang! magazine's latest collection — "Maiden Heaven" — which features bands covering tracks from IRON MAIDEN's legendary career. The CD will be given away free with Kerrang! issue 1219, on sale July 16.

Speaking exclusively to Kerrang!, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told the magazine how much respect the Bay Area thrashers have for the Brit metal masters.

"IRON MAIDEN are 10 per cent cooler than every other band," says Ulrich. "From their relationship with their fans, to their album covers to their stages, to their live presentation, to their photos — whatever they did was always cooler than what everyone else did! I have always had an incredible amount of respect and admiration for them and obviously getting a chance to be part of this CD feels like that has come a full circle. We played 'Remember Tomorrow' as it was basically the blueprint for songs like 'Fade To Black' and 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)', and some of the more epic ballady type of songs that METALLICA had done later. We had so much fun jamming with this! We put a bit of an intro on it, to give it a bit of a METALLICA stamp, and we are super pleased with how it has turned out. "

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn is equally excited to be a part of this project.

"When I was a kid IRON MAIDEN were a very big deal to me and the influence they had on MACHINE HEAD has been huge," he reveals. "We decided to cover 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' for this CD because it's just such a great song, in fact it's a classic! I just love the way the vocal line goes up and down, so dramatic."

Metal heroes TRIVIUM, are happy to admit their own brand of heavy riffage could never have existed without MAIDEN's worldwide influence.

"IRON MAIDEN helped create what we know as heavy metal," states frontman Matt Heafy. "Their influence can be heard on classic and contemporary bands alike; their fanbase spans across the youngest and newest of heavy music recruits all the way to the diehard, life-long metal elite. We chose to play the track 'Iron Maiden' off their first album, as the song that screamed out our love for them musically, and we knew it would be a really fun song to jam out in the studio. It was an honour to be able to play one of IRON MAIDEN's tracks and have the opportunity to contribute to this amazing CD. We hope everyone has as much fun listening to it as we did making it!"

Meanwhile, AVENGED SEVENFOLD — who will be supporting MAIDEN at their upcoming Twickenham Stadium show on July 5 — say they are "honored" to be part of this Kerrang!-arranged tribute.

"MAIDEN are by far the best live band in the world and their music is timeless," says vocalist M. Shadows. "This also gives us a chance to expose this great song to some of our younger fans who maybe aren't as familiar with IRON MAIDEN."

The arrival of Kerrang!'s "Maiden Heaven" CD coincides with IRON MAIDEN's European leg of their Somewhere Back In Time World Tour — and follows on from the release of their own collection "Somewhere Back In Time: The Best Of 80-89".

"MAIDEN much appreciate and are very flattered by all the time spent on this by a lot of great bands," says IRON MAIDEN's manager Rod Smallwood, "and would like to thank them, and also Kerrang!, for the honour. Thanks, everyone!"

The track listing for "Maiden Heaven" is as follows:

01. BLACK TIDE - Prowler
02. METALLICA - Remember Tomorrow
03. AVENGED SEVENFOLD - Flash Of The Blade
04. GLAMOUR OF THE KILL - 2 Minutes To Midnight
05. COHEED AND CAMBRIA - The Trooper
06. DEVILDRIVER - Wasted Years
07. SIGN - Run To The Hills
08. DREAM THEATER - To Tame A Land
09. MADINA LAKE - Caught Somewhere In Time
10. GALLOWS - Wrathchild
11. FIGHTSTAR - Fear Of The Dark
12. MACHINE HEAD - Hallowed Be Thy Name
13. TRIVIUM - Iron Maiden
14. YEAR LONG DISASTER - Running Free
15. GHOSTLINES - Brave New World

Former STRATOVARIUS and current REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE mastermind Timo Tolkki has issued the following update:

"The songwriting [for the new REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE album] is going very smoothly and nicely. We are making some demos soon and will hit the studio around September. Some song (working) titles are: 'Icarus', 'Age Of Aquarius', 'The Loneliness Of A Thousand Years', 'Revolution Has Begun', 'Mary My Guardian' and 'Walk On'. I will be able to announce the bass player in early August, but I can tell that he is in fact Swedish. We are still planning the extensive South American tour we have been offered. This would be in December.

"I am also happy to tell that there will be one more STRATOVARIUS album sometime late next year. This will be a 'get-together' album with old friends Tuomo Lassila on drums, Antti Ikonen on keyboards and me on vocals and guitars. There are 12 months in a year and this will be the last and 12th STRATOVARIUS album that will close the whole saga with dignity and respect. The way it is supposed to be.

"I will also reissue my 'Classical Variations and Themes' and 'Hymn To Life' remastered versions through my webshop. The whole Tolkki.com is currently undergoing maintenance and new layout procedure and will remain closed for some days more."

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's "permanent" 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."

In the latest issue of Finland's Soundi magazine, Petri Silas speaks exclusively to remaining STRATOVARIUS members Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (яbass) about their split with guitarist and main composer Timo Tolkki and the band's future.

The interview was conducted just as the guys were heading out to a Lappajärvi summer cottage to work on new material. They were accompanied by their newest bandmate, a young Finnish guitarist whose name has not yet been revealed.

If all goes well, the foursome will enter the studio (most likely in Finland) at the end of 2008 to begin recording a new album for a 2009 release.

At this point, the guys have not yet decided whether to continue using the name STRATOVARIUS for their new band. Some of the members want to, some of them don't, and for some of them it doesn't make a difference one way or the other.

Timo Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. "Although both moral and legal rights I own would easily grant me the rights to prevent the guys using the name STRATOVARIUS, I am going to do the opposite," he wrote in a letter explaining his decision. "I am going to give them full perpetual rights to the name and also I do not want to receive any money regarding record sales of the back catalogue or possible new products in which I am involved. Ever. You will find this letter that has been mailed to the STRATOVARIUS management with this statement. Simply, I dont want to have anything to do with that name in its present form, Jörg Michael, Timo Kotipelto and Jens Johansson ever again. The old records and their message speak for themselves. So the guys are free to use the name. I am doing this with a clear mind that everything that you put to the universe returns to you. And above all, I refuse to co-operate, negotiate or have anything to do with what I consider to be evil. And here is the very corporate money making machine in its full force exploiting the name, like it could really have the same meaning without me."

Former USURPER guitarist Rick Scythe has issued the following update on his NIGHTSHADE project:

"We decided to post a new song for a couple days. We're taking it down soon. It's just to give you an idea of some of the other stuff on the album. We'll post other songs randomly throughout the summer before our debut album/DVD is released. This one features original USURPER vokillist General Diabolical Slaughter on backing vocals."

NIGHTSHADE will release its debut album, "Autumnal Equinox", on Halloween through Sempiternal Productions. It will be made available as a 13-song full-length CD plus DVD complete with promo videos, a photo gallery, interviews and more. The 13 audio tracks will also be available to download through iTunes, Amazon, MySpace and other Internet outlets.

NIGHTSHADE's current touring lineup consists of Scythe (guitar, vocals), Mr. Faust (strings, lead guitar and organs), DanYell (keys and organ), Naughty Norty (bass; SHALLOW GRAVE, SATANIC SYMPHONY) and Timedeus (drums).

Kevin Talley (DAATH, ex-CHIMAIRA, THE RED CHORD) has finished laying down the drum tracks for the sophomore effort from THE ALIEN BLAKK, the band led by guitarist/producer Joshua Craig.

Craig describes Talley's performance as "DAATH meets Matt Sorum's [approach] during the GUNS N' ROSES days." "The music is either completely progressive on some of the songs and bizarrely instrumentally-based on the other side of the disc," he says. "Melodically, the vocals and kind of remind me of TYPE O NEGATIVE meets early KISS to STONE SOUR."

THE ALIEN BLAKK's sophomore album is tentatively due in late 2008/early 2009.

For more information, visit www.thealienblakk.com.

Belgian progressive metallers OCEANS OF SADNESS have made a new song from their forthcoming fifth album, "The Arrogance of Ignorance", available for free download. According to the band, "The song is called 'Some Things Seem So Easy' and it is a shining example of the diversity of OCEANS OF SADNESS. It grows from an almost 'country-like' feeling over to back-breaking heaviness and Ozzy-influenced vocals to end in an ocean of acid-drenched structures and melodies.

Download the track at this location.

"The Arrogance of Ignorance" was produced by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street in Örebro, Sweden and contains 10 tracks. The CD includes guest appearances by Annlouice Loegdlund (DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA) on the song 'Subconscious' and Johan Liiva (formerly of ARCH ENEMY, HEARSE) on the track "In The End". Artwork was created by the Greek artist Seth Siro Anton.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. An excerpt from the chat follows.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: How's the new album coming?

Lemmy: We have all of the tracks done. It's just vocals and guitars now, really.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: With this being your 20th album, was a challenge to find inspiration? How did you keep it fresh?

Lemmy: Not really, we just do what we always do. We've got it down to a fine art now, you know? We know how to do that now.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: You recorded parts of the album at Dave Grohl's studio?

Lemmy: Just the drums were done up there. The rest of we did in L.A.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: Who produced it?

Lemmy: Cameron Webb. The same as who did the last two.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: Are you looking forward to the tour with JUDAS PRIEST?

Lemmy: Yeah, but we've got festivals to do in Europe first. So, I'm just looking at those at the moment. Yeah, we're going out with JUDAS PRIEST in August.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: Do you still enjoy playing the festival shows in Europe?

Lemmy: Yeah. It's a big event. There's not just one band.

Pop-Rock Candy Mountain: You recently taped an appearance on "Californication". Did you enjoy that?

Lemmy: Well, I've never seen the show myself (laughs). So, someone asked and I said, "Yeah." (laughs) I don't know what the fuck it is. I just said a couple of things.

Read the entire interview at Pop-Rock Candy Mountain.

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have issued the following update:

"We've now completed the drums and the guitars for the new SATYRICON album in Los Angeles! We have a new session beginning Monday, doing vocals, bass and and perhaps some brass too. Third week of July we're doing some keyboard/FX stuff before we go back to L.A. to mix the record. These are exciting times as we feel this is a milestone in the making. It won't help keeping expectations down, but we can't help it, it feels so incredibly strong! Dates are being confirmed and offers are coming in constantly as we speak and it looks like we will start touring the world mid-November. We'll post a video from the recording of the drums over the weekend and in the meantime we might see some of you at Nummirock and Hellfest."

As previously reported, SATYRICON has recruited two new members for its live shows. The rhythm guitar is now handled by French axeman Gildas Le Pape, who has been playing black and thrash metal, as well as jazz, for quite a few years. The band's new touring bassist is Victor Brandt (Sweden) from the death metal band DOMINION and TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER. Victor Brandt can also be heard on the new SATYRICON EP "My Skin Is Cold".

Fan-filmed video footage of SATYRICON performing the song "K.I.N.G." on June 4, 2008 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "ixtlanworld").

SATYRICON's new album will be released on November 3 via Roadrunner Records. The CD is being recorded at Sound City studios in Van Nuys, California, where METALLICA recently recorded its forthcoming LP.

A previously unreleased SATYRICON song, "My Skin Is Cold", is included on the band's new EP of the same name, which was issued on June 2 in most of Europe.

"My Skin Is Cold" was released as a seven-inch gatefold vinyl single including a five-track CD. This is the only physical version of the EP and the packaging is said to be "truly one of a kind!"

The EP was relased via Roadrunner Records worldwide, except in Norway, where it came out through SATYRICON's new partner, Indie Recordings.

Long-running Seattle metallers METAL CHURCH will release their new album, "This Present Wasteland", in Europe on September 26 via SPV Records. The CD's artwork, which was submitted by a fan via a MySpace contest, can be viewed here.

"This Present Wasteland" track listing:

01. Killing Space
02. War Never Won
03. Meet Your Maker
04. Crawling To Extinction
05. Mass Hysteria
06. Breath Again
07. Deeds Of A Dead Soul
08. The Prophet And The Madman
09. Beneath The Silence
10. Tales Of A Stalker
11. King Of Lies
12. In The Company Of Sorrow
13. The Perfect Crime

METAL CHURCH is scheduled to perform on August 2 in Mapplewood, Minnesota with JUDAS PRIEST and on August 16 in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Roberto Clemente Coliseum with QUEENSRŸCHE.

The band recently announced the addition of guitarist Rick Van Zandt (THE END, ROTTWEILLER) to the group's ranks. He replaced Jay Reynolds (also of MALICE), who left the band for "personal reasons."

METAL CHURCH's last CD, "A Light in the Dark", was released in June 2006 via SPV. The LP includes a new version of the classic "Watch the Children Pray" as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005.

Romanian female-fronted symphonic metal band MAGICA will enter the studio in July to begin recording its fourth album, "Wolves and Witches", for a November release through AFM Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Hold on Tight", "Don't Wanna Kill", "Hurry Up", "Ravens", "Dark Secret", "Just for 2 Coins", "Mistress of the Wind" and "Until the Light is Gone".

MAGICA's video for the song "Entangled" can be viewed below. The track comes off MAGICA's third album, "Hereafter", which was released on October 19, 2007 via AFM Records. The cover artwork was created by Jean Pascal Fournier, who has previously worked with EDGUY and AVANTASIA, among many others.

MAGICA's second album, "Lightseeker", was released in 2004 via Underclass Music.

MAGICA is:

Ana Mladinovici - Vocals
Bogdan Costea - Guitar
Emi Burcea - Guitar
Vali Zechiu - Bass
Cristi Birla - Drums
6 Fingers - Keys

For more information, visit www.magicaband.com.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"We just completed the 'United Abominations' world tour last night in Monterrey, Mexico.

"Thank you to everyone who came out to see us, and who supported us from afar.

"I will make a full report of what I though the last 1 1/2 years have been like; the last two weeks alone damn near killed me after getting a yellow fever vaccination to go to Manaus, Brazil alone.

"I am not one to post much about how hard it is to tour, but I am sure when I get back from my rest period that you will understand why I have been nearly invisible the last few months.

"I can't wait to get back home and get to work on TheLiveLine with my partners, as well as start the building of our new studio.

"Hell, we need our own place to jam in when we start to reconvene and demo songs for the next record after the summer.

"So, until I get back, thank you, thank you all."

JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", has entered the official Australian ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) album chart at position No. 16.

According to Hits Daily Double (the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS), "Nostradamus" is poised to sell around 50,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release for a likely Top 10 debut on The Billboard 200 chart. If "Nostradamus" does in fact crack the Top 10, it will give the band its highest-ever career chart position in the U.S.

JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", opened with 58,000 copies back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.

Guitarist Nils Norberg has announced his departure from the Swedish melodic metal band NOCTURNAL RITES.

"I have decided to lay down the guitar as my interest for music kind of cooled down the last years," he writes in a statement. So I'm not a part of NOCTURNAL RITES anymore. It's just because of myself. I decided to do this and it has absolutely not been a bad feeling in the band in any way. I don't know how or if I will go on with music, but I will take a break from the guitar that has been taking up all my waking time the last 20 years. The band will always be a second family for me and I'm not closing the door to play with them again if it would be an opportunity and I would have the urge to play again. I think the band will go on and will still make kick ass music both live and in the studio. I just wanna say thanx to the band for the best times in my life and to all the nice people I met and partied, destroyed, laughed and kicked ass with along these 12 years in the band. Thanx so much! Take care and maybe we meet again somewhere!"

The band comments: "The remaining members would like to extend a huge thank you to Norberg for his time in the band and wish him all the best! We respect his decision but hope he finds his way back to music. Applicants interested in replacing Norberg are of course more than welcome to email us their demos at guitarist[at]nocturnalrites.com."

NOCTURNAL RITES' latest album, "The 8th Sin", last year landed on the Japanese album chart at position No. 68 (No. 28 on "international" chart). An e-card for the CD is available at this location.

World Entertainment News Network (WENN) reports that AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler has completed his stint in rehab, celebrating his release by grabbing courtside seats for the Boston Celtics basketball game on Tuesday.

The singer checked into a facility in Pasadena, California, last month, prompting speculation he had slipped from sobriety, 20 years after he kicked hard drugs.

Tyler later revealed he was in rehab on doctor's orders because of a foot injury.

Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen (who now fronts AGUA DE ANNIQUE) will join Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL for their appearance at the Graspop Metal Meeting festival on on Friday, June 27 in Dessel, Belgium at 16.30 at the Marquee 1. She will sing the song "Scorpion Flower" as a duet with MOONSPELL frontman Fernando Ribeiro.

Anneke was previously supposed to perform with MOONSPELL at the Rock in Rio 2008 festival on June 5 in Lisbon, Portugal but she was forced to cancel her appearance after coming down with the flu.

The recorded version of "Scorpion Flower", which appears on MOONSPELL's new album, "Night Eternal", also features Anneke. All other female choirs were performed by the Crystal Mountain Singers, composed of Carmen Simões (AVA INFERI), Sophia Vieira (CINEMUERTE) and Patrícia Andrade (ex-VOLSTAD, now in THE VANITY CHAIR). Niclas Etelävuori of AMORPHIS played bass on the album, which features artwork by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, SEPTIC FLESH). Band photography was handled by Edgar Keats.

The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).

Two editions of the record were made available: A limited double digipack with different artwork, one bonus track ("Age of Mothers"), a different version of the song "Scorpion Flower", the full album as well as a bonus DVD containing all video clips from "Memorial" plus "Finisterra" "making-of" footage and three live clips from last year's performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany; plus the jewel case edition.

MOONSPELL's video for the track "Scorpion Flower" is one of two (along with "Night Eternal") off the group's new album, "Night Eternal", which were shot by Ivan Colic (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SYMPHONY X, HAMMERFALL) in Belgrade, Serbia. Colic previously worked with the group on the "Memorial" video for "Finisterra".

Professionally filmed footage of MOONSPELL performing the song "Scorpion Flower" on June 5, 2008 at the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal can be viewed below.