REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE — the new band featuring former STRATOVARIUS mastermind Timo Tolkki — appears to have parted ways with Frontiers Records.

Commented Tolkki: "Yesterday I finally got confirmation that we are able to do this. They [Frontiers] simply were not the right label for us. That became absolutely clear in the last few months.

"I would describe the experience with Frontiers Records with the word 'interesting.'

"I am currently negotiating with several labels, but I haven't made any decision yet. There is a lot of interest and that feels good.

"We have been offered an extensive 20-date Latin American tour for this December. I am also already (well it's been over two years since I wrote 'New Era' songs) writing new songs and can't wait to go to studio and on the road with these energetic and positive guys I was blessed to find."

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's "permanent" lineup includes keyboardist Mike Khalilov, Brazilian drummer Bruno Agra and Brazilian singer Gus Monsanto (ex-ADAGIO). A bassist for the group has not yet been named.

Sweden's BURST recently entered Studio Bohussound (STATUS QUO, ABBA) in Kungalv, Sweden to record its new full-length album, "Lazarus Bird". The follow-up to 2005's "Origo" was once again recorded with engineer Fredrik Reinedahl (OPETH, IN FLAMES, GADGET). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "I Hold Vertigo", "We Are Dust", "Momentum", "Nineteenhundred", "Cripple God", "We Watched The Silver Rain" and "I Exterminate The I". A fall release via Relapse Records is expected.

Commented the band: "We're finished. Guess that's the big news. 'Lazarus Bird', our coming album, is recorded, mixed and mastered, and good grief, it took its toll to make. Expect an album that will NOT be 'Origo Part 2', but something new for BURST.

"Right now we're tinkering with the design and the cover (think art deco), all new pictures, and all that which goes into making a homogenic, thematic ALBUM as opposed to fragmented downloads. Praise the Internet, but long live the album!"

Swedish/Danish metallers CRYSTAL EYES have entered the studio to begin recording their sixth album, due later in the year via Metal Heaven. According to the band, "Stefan [Svantesson] has nailed the drum tracks, and Claes [Wikander] is busy recording his bass tracks. The recording of the guitars will begin right after Mikael [Dahl] is back from Sweden Rock Festival and Nico Adamsen will arrive at the end of next month to record his vocals." The CD will be mixed once again by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Ride The Rainbow", "Shadow Rider", "Dying In The Rain", "Guardian", "The Fire Of Hades", "Fighting", "Waves Of War", "The Devil Inside" and "Lonely Ball Of Fate". The group says, "Expect nothing but 100% pure heavy metal."

BLACK LIGHT BURNS, the new band led by former LIMP BIZKIT guitarist Wes Borland, has set an August 5 release date for its upcoming "covers" album and DVD package. Entitled "Cover Your Heart and The Anvil Pants Odyssey", it will feature the following cuts:

01. Forkboy (LARD)
02. So Alive (LOVE AND ROCKETS)
03. Hungry Like The Wolf (DURAN DURAN)
04. Lucretia My Reflection (SISTERS OF MERCY)
05. Rid Of Me (PJ HARVEY)
06. The Art Of Self Defense (JESUS LIZARD)
07. On The Bound (FIONA APPLE)
08. I Am The Sun (SWANS)
09. Blood Red Head On Fire (BIGDUMBFACE)
10. Search And Destroy (IGGY AND THE STOOGES)
11. Drowning Together Dying Alone (unreleased "Cruel Melody" instrumental)
12. Giving In Again (unreleased Cruel Melody instrumental)
13. Failing (unreleased "Cruel Melody" instrumental)
14. Mesopotamia (Assyrian Mix)
15. Lie (Seth Vogt Club Mix)

Borland previously stated about the set, "[BLACK LIGHT BURNS] started recording a few covers at the end of 2007, and when we finished, we realized that it's super-fun and that we like a lot of songs, so we started to record more and then it hit us. Why not take seven or eight covers, and the two B-sides from 'Cruel Melody' [BLACK LIGHT BURNS' debut album], and a couple of remixes and put it out? No! Let's not just put that out. Let's take that, and pair it with a DVD of four videos from 'Cruel Melody' and an hour-plus tour documentary, live footage, a 'making-of' the 'Lie' video, and a bunch of pictures from tour and crap. So we thought about it. It seems like a good idea. We're into it. Do we plan on releasing it soon you ask? Is the atomic weight of cobalt 58.9?"

A new black metal documentary, "Light in Darkness - Nemesis Divina", which focuses not on the satanic spectra of the genre, but the opposite — the Christian concept of black metal — will have its world premiere on May 29 in Halmstad, Sweden.

Producer Stefan Rydehed, who recently completed work on the "Pure Fucking Mayhem" documentary, which focused on the Norwegian black metal band MAYHEM, and David Nilsson have set their sights on the Scandinavian Christian scene, with particular focus on such bands as CRIMSON MOONLIGHT, HORDE, PANTOKRATOR and FROSTHARDR.

"Light in Darkness - Nemesis Divina" will be shown at film and music festivals around the globe and a deal has already been signed with Endtime Productions to release the documentary on DVD.

Commented Rydehed: "It has been a educational process because I have really broadened my perspective of the different forms black metal can be shaped in." David added: "It feels good to have done something with this earlier undocumented genre and I am now looking forward to new projects."

A short trailer for "Light in Darkness - Nemesis Divina" can be viewed below.

The End Records has set an August 5 release date for NOVEMBERS DOOM's first live DVD, "The Novella Vosselaar: Live in Belgium".

The show was recorded on November 10, 2007 in Vosselaar, Belgium at the Biebob in front of a capacity audience. The set list covered material from most of the band's current and back catalog, ranging from the fast and heavy to the slow ballads. The set was chosen to cover all aspects of the group's musical directions.

Says singer Paul Kuhr: "'The Novella Vosselaar: Live in Belgium' is a perfect way for fans all over the world to experience NOVEMBERS DOOM live, who may not have had the opportunity to attend a performance, or for those who wish to enjoy the live atmosphere in the comfort of home."

"The Novella Vosselaar: Live in Belgium" track listing:

Live Performance:

01. Rain
02. The Novella Reservoir
03. Dark World Burden
04. With Rue and Fire
05. Autumn Reflection
06. For Every Leaf That Falls
07. The Day I Return
08. Not The Strong
09. The Voice of Failure
10. Silent Tomorrow
11. Within My Flesh
12. Drown the Inland Mere
13. The Pale Haunt Departure

Bonus Material:

Promotional Videos:

01. Rain
02. Autumn Reflection
03. The Pale Haunt Departure

Fan Made Videos:

01. Twilight Innocence
02. Dark World Burden
03. Broken
04. The Lifeless Silhouette

In other news, The End Records has reissued two of NOVEMBERS DOOM's earlier albums — the 1995 debut "Amid its Hallowed Mirth" and 1999's "Of Sculptured Ivy and Stone Flowers" — remastered with new artwork and bonus tracks. Both are in stores today.

Reunited Atlanta-based thrashers HALLOWS EVE have revealed the artwork for their new album, "The Neverending Sleep". The art, which was created by prominent Atlanta artist Dave Robison (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, KANSAS), can be viewed below.

HALLOWS EVE recently posted another track "The Sun Must Die", taken from the forthcoming "The Neverending Sleep" CD, on the band's MySpace page. Tentatively due in July, the CD — which features original HALLOWS EVE members Stacy Andersen (vocals) and Tommy Stewart (bass) alongside Doyle Bright (guitar), Jim Gorman (drums) and Chris Abbamonte (guitar) — was produced by Doyle Bright of RIGOR MORTIS and is said to be "a conscious effort to achieve the feel and sound of 'Tales of Terror' (1985) and 'Death and Insanity' (1986)," according to bassist Tommy Stewart.

"The Neverending Sleep" track listing:

01. Night Of The Never-Ending Sleep
02. Dominion Resurrected
03. Army Of One
04. Dance Of The Dead
05. 72 Virgins
06. Bed Of Nails
07. Interface
08. Doors Of Misery
09. Through Dark And Dawn
10. The Sun Must Die

Stacy Andersen and Tommy Stewart appeared on stage together for the first time since 1989 during the band's performance at the New England Metal And Hardcore Festival on April 28, 2007 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Metal Blade Records. They were joined by ex-RIGOR MORTIS lead vocalist and guitarist Doyle Bright (who is also Andersen's bandmate in TWO PRONGED CROWN and SOULZERO), and drummer Dane Jensen. Check out pictures of HALLOWS EVE's performance at ReturnToThePit.com.

Metal Blade Records released a deluxe box set by HALLOWS EVE, entitled "History of Terror". This collection includes all three of the group's Metal Blade albums (all remastered!), piles of bonus material and a bonus DVD (with a playing time of 200-plus minutes). Liner notes were included as well.

British heavy metal legends SAXON are in the studio recording the follow-up to 2007's "The Inner Sanctum", tentatively due before the end of the year via SPV.

In other news, SAXON's latest video podcast, which was filmed on May 7, 2008 in Sydney, Australia, can be viewed below.

Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (HELLOWEEN, BLIND GUARDIAN, HALFORD, RAGE), "The Inner Sanctum" was released as a digipack with a bonus DVD and as a jewel case, featuring a bonus track.

SAXON's current lineup:

Biff Byford - Vocals
Paul Quinn - Guitar
Doug Scarratt - Guitar
Nibbs Carter - Bass
Nigel Glockler - Drums, Keyboards

MÖTLEY CRÜE's new album, "Saints of Los Angeles", will be released in Japan on June 18 with the bonus tracks "Kickstart My Heart" (Live & Rare) and "Saints Of Los Angeles" (Live & Rare).

Short audio samples of all 13 tracks that are set to appear on the U.S. version of "Saints of Los Angeles" are available on Amazon.com.

MÖTLEY CRÜE headed back into the studio earlier in the month to record another song for "Saints of Los Angeles". As a result, the disc's U.S. release date had to be pushed back from June 17 to June 24. Bassist Nikki Sixx said in a statement that the idea for the new song, entitled "Goin'Out Swingin'", came about before the group's recent press conference, in which it announced this summer's "Crüe Fest" tour with PAPA ROACH, BUCKCHERRY, TRAPT and SIXX: A.M. Sixx explained, "Before our performance at the press conference, we were firing on all cylinders at sound check just jamming out, and that's when the new idea came. We quickly laid it down and went to the studio to record it, and liked it so much we pushed back the release one week so that we could get it onto the album — it now has 13 tracks. It's the ultimate song to end the record with and begin the new chapter of our career."

According to Amazon.com, "Saints of Los Angeles" will feature the following track listing:

01. L.A.M.F.
02. Face Down In The Dirt
03. What's It Gonna Take
04. Down At The Whisky
05. Saints Of Los Angeles
06. Mutherfucker Of The Year
07. The Animal In Me
08. Welcome To The Machine
09. Just Another Psycho
10. Chicks = Trouble
11. This Ain't A Love Song
12. White Trash Circus
13. Goin' Out Swingin'

Reactivated San Francisco Bay Area metallers LAAZ ROCKIT have posted two new tracks on their MySpace page. "Brain Wash" and "Liar" come off the band's recently completed new album, which was reportedly produced by Scott Sargeant by Juan Urteaga.

LAAZ ROCKIT is currently seeking a suitable label to release the new CD, which is expected to surface before the end of the year.

LAAZ ROCKIT's 1984 album "City's Gonna Burn" was reissued in May 2007 through Old School Metal Records. All songs were remastered by Colin Davis at Imperial Mastering.

A trailer for LAAZ ROCKIT's "Live Untold" DVD can be viewed on YouTube.

"Live Untold" was produced by Ace Cook and was released on August 15, 2006 via Old School Metal Records.

LAAZ ROCKET, who formed in 1982, was a mainstay in the Bay Area thrash scene for nine years. In May 2005, the original lineup reunited for the first time since 1991 to play two shows with TESTAMENT, including the prestigious Dynamo Open Air festival in Holland. Their appearance at the Thrash Against Cancer benefit concert in July 2005 was their first U.S. show in over 14 years.

Greek metal band FIREWIND will have its latest album, "The Premonition", released in Japan on June 25 through King Records. The LP will be released on a limited edition CD+DVD including four songs from the band's acclaimed hometown show in Thessaloniki on January 12, 2008, plus in-depth interviews with all bandmembers. In addition, the album will contain three bonus tracks: "Ride To The Rainbow's End", "Spirits In A Digital World" and "Mercenary Man" (acoustic version).

"River of Tuoni", the new video from the Finnish female-fronted metal band 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.

AMBERIAN DAWN will have its debut album, "River of Tuoni", released in European territories outside of Finland on June 16 via Ascendance Records. Two tracks from the CD — "Valkyries" and "River Of Tuoni" — can currently be streamed on the group's MySpace page.

The band previously stated: "Our [Finnish] label, Suomen Musiikki, has defined AMBERIAN DAWN's music as fantasy metal, but as always, the genre borders are very thin and hard to define. Our music has definitely fantasy in its lyrics... but melody and rhythm are the key components."

AMBERIAN DAWN is:

Heidi Parviainen - Vocals
Tuomas Seppälä - Guitar and Keyboards
Kasperi Heikkinen - Rhythm Guitar
Tommi Kuri - Bass
Tom Sagar - Keyboards
Joonas Pykälä-Aho - Drums

"Booze, Broads And Beelzebub", the title track of the forthcoming sophomore album from CHROME DIVISION, the Norwegian five-piece featuring DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath (a.k.a. Stian Thoresen), is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

"Booze, Broads And Beelzebub" is scheduled for release on July 18 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Sweden during January 2008 and contains a dozen or so tracks, including a cover of a classic ZZ TOP tune. The material is described by the band as "a bit more varied than on 'Doomsday Rock 'n Roll'. A bit more metal, more fast stuff, but still the basics in filthy rock 'n' roll."

"Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll" landed on the Norwegian album chart at position No. 31 back in 2006. The disc was recorded in Oslo, Norway, last winter and contains a musical direction described by the band as "stripped down groovy rock 'n' roll with a primitive attitude."

CHROME DIVISION shot a video for the "Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll" track "Serial Killer" in Gothenburg, Sweden with director Patric Ullaeus (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, SOILWORK). Watch the clip below.

CHROME DIVISION lineup:

Shagrath - Guitar
Luna - Bass
Eddie Guz - Vocals
Ricky Doom - Guitar
Tony White - Drums

German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL has issued the following update:

"Unfortunately, we have to cancel our appearances at both summer festivals, the Rock Of Ages and the Wacken Open Air, due to a schedule conflict of singer Johnny Gioeli in the USA. We have to apologize for that! So there will be no shows for the band this year, but the next tour will definitely take place around January/February next year. Stay tuned for the dates in a few weeks here!

"The recordings of the new CD are going very well and all the basic tracks have been recorded at the Redhouse studios in Germany with our longtime engineer and friend Charlie Bauerfeind. We are very excited about this record as it features some modern vibes. This will be a massive step forward for the band and the fans won't be disappointed! Recently Johnny is laying down the vocals in Los Angeles and the mix will be done by Charlie during July. The album will be released by SPV on October 24th in Germany and October 27th in Europe. We'll let you know about the title and the songs here very soon!"

Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA entered the studio earlier in the month to begin recording their new album, which is based on the Anthony Burgess novel "A Clockwork Orange" (later turned into the classic film by Stanley Kubrick). An October release via SPV is expected.

SEPULTURA's forthcoming CD will be the group's first to feature drummer Jean Dolabella, who replaced founding member Igor Cavalera in 2006. Igor has since reunited with his brother and former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera in CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

Commented SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser: "We are working now for two weeks, recording our new album. I'm almost finished laying down the rhythm guitar tracks, using mostly my Fender Stratocaster Nation and my Jackson RR. The sounds are dirtier and heavier, both for the guitars and drums.

"I believe this will be our best work in many, many years.

"The book is very inspiring and the songs are flowing naturally.

"Soon we will record the orchestra on the version me, the director Alexey Kurkdjian and Jean did for the Ninth Symphony from Beethoven, I think our greatest challenge so far."

Kscope has set an August 25 release date for the new semi-acoustic album from ANATHEMA entitled "Hindsight". The LP will be available to download from August 18.

"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 have 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.

"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)

Metalhead.ro has posted a photo gallery from ANATHEMA's May 24, 2008 sold-out "unplugged" concert in Bucharest, Romania. The British atmospheric rock outfit performed in front of nearly 700 people. Check out the pictures at this location.

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE — the new band featuring former STRATOVARIUS mastermind Timo Tolkki — has issued the following update:

"Having almost completed the line up for REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, we are still looking for bass players. You have to be quick, recordings and tours are awaiting. So please send two (2) recently taken photos (one headshot and one full body shot) and three (3) mp3s of your playing with a short desrciption about yourself. Don't send links, send the material exactly as requested. You can be from anywhere, but Scandinavians have the priority. Good luck! Send the stuff to: rr@timotolkki.com."

Short audio samples of all 10 tracks that are set to appear on "New Era", the forthcoming debut album from REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, are available for streaming at www.jpc.de.

"New Era" is scheduled for release on June 6 via Frontiers Records. According to a press release, the CD "is 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.

"Timo called a few friends for the recording sessions and the album features all the lead vocals from such legends as Michael Kiske [HELLOWEEN] and Tobias Sammet [EDGUY, AVANTASIA], along with Timo's blistering lead guitar lines and melodic power metal anthems that made him one of the pioneers of the style and trademark performers of the style. REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE witnesses a rebirth, a new era for Timo Tolkki and his music."

Other musicians that reportedly appear on "New Era" include Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN).

"Revolution Renaissance" track listing (singer of each song listed next to its title):

01. Heroes (Sammet)
02. I Did It My Way (Kiske)
03. We Are Magic (Rantanen)
04. Angel (Kiske)
05. Eden Is Burning (Rantanen)
06. Glorious And Divine (Sammet)
07. Born Upon The Cross (Rantanen)
08. Keep The Flame Alive (Kiske)
09. Last Night On Earth (Kiske)
10. Revolution Renaissance (Kiske)

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

Finnish melodic black metallers CATAMENIA have parted ways with singer Olli-Jukka Mustonen.

Commented the group's guitarist Ari Nissilä: " The fear that something negative will happen turned into reality at Montreal [on our way to start our Canadian tour], when we realized that Olli, our lead vocalist, won't show up there. Unfotunately he missed his flight at Paris CDG airport, but we did hope that he could fly to Montreal next day with reserved ticket, but this never happened.

"Now, we had a nightmare staring us. We didn't came all the way to Canada just to inform that this is it, we can't do the tour. When the first shock was over, we start to seek the solution. Since I was doing vocals on rehearsals just for this kind of 'impossible situations,' we wanted to give a shot for it, so I'm going to do lead vocals.

So, the show went better than none of us dared to hope, and so did the second, the third and so on. People who were listening our concerts took me open minded as a lead vocalist... and... they liked what they heard.

"This misfortune led to conversation about the band's future. The solution is that the whole band wanted to me be as lead singer from now on. I am speechless about this and still try to get it in my mind what the hell is happening. One thing is sure… I will give that 110 percentage and my heart for this band, like I have done all the years I have lived with CATAMENIA. Now there is just more responsibility, but the train is very same, so is the man.

"Guys of CATAMENIA did everything that I won't break before the first show doing lead vocals. These guys trusted, helped and supported me the way that I still wonder how can I thank them enough. The pressure was so huge that I would never make it without these guys.

"Now after few days in home solving things in my head, I have one thing to say to these guys… This band is my family! You guys are the brothers I never had! I will do everything for you — without any doubt. Thousand thanks for you for your trust and support!

"For fans... We hope that you look this as a new page in CATAMENIA's path and be open-minded. We will guarantee you that with your trust and help, the triumph of CATAMENIA is just about to begin! WE WILL MANAGE, is our motto all together.

"For Olli... We really do hope all the best for you in the future and we hope from our hearts that we can stay as friends as before because you can always consider us as your friends."

CATAMENIA will enter Mastervox Studios on July 7 to begin recording its new album, tentatively titled "VIII", for an October 2008 release.

CATAMENIA's latest album, "Location: COLD", was released in August 2006 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Mastervox Studios by Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen. The cover artwork was created by Anthony Clarkson.

Metal Mind Productions has set a June 23 European release date (August 5 in the USA via MVD) for the reissues of the first three EVEREVE albums — "Seasons" (1997), "Stormbirds" (1998) and "Regret" (1999). Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.

EVEREVE's music is defined by clean vocals (as opposed to death grunts), generally English lyrics (though Abraza La Luz" on 2002's ".enetics" was in Spanish, and "Stormbirds" also had songs in French and German), more predominant use of synthesizer than typical metal bands, and the occasional use of vocal samples to introduce many of their songs (though this has declined in recent years). The band describes its particular brand of metal as cyber goth.

Paul Travers of Suite 101 recently conducted an interview with VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant about the group's forthcoming album, "Hell". An excerpt from the chat follows.

Suite 101: How's the new album sounding?

Cronos: "It's f***ing awesome. It's a step up from 'Metal Black' because for 'Metal Black' what I wanted to do was just re-establish VENOM the way VENOM have always been. We took a lot of bad advice over the years — when we did the album 'Calm Before The Storm', management got this producer guy in who'd worked with WHITESNAKE and bands like that and it was just like, WRONG! It's easy to say that now, it wasn't easy to say that in 1987 when we were just wide-eyed kids, willing to work with these people. But VENOM have always done their best work when we listened to ourselves. Nobody helped us do 'Welcome To Hell' and 'Black Metal' and 'At War With Satan' and those are the albums that people hear as VENOM's greats. We know what to do anyway, we just need to believe in ourselves more and get rid of these people who don't know anything about this kind of music, basically."

Suite 101: So "Hell" is a bit more musically advanced?

Cronos: "Well, the things we didn't want to take a chance with on 'Metal Black', we have on this album. The riffs aren't as basic, we've played around with it a bit more. It's just as heavy as f***. Rage (new VENOM guitarist) is good, he knows about experimenting. It was a bit more difficult to do experimental stuff with the old guitarist because he's the kind of guy who plugs his gear in and says 'well there it is'. He'd say 'why change it?' whereas Rage will just do it. 'Let's try a different amplifier, let's try a different environment, let's record some tracks on a stage...' "

Suite 101: A case of thinking outside the box, you mean?

Cronos: "Totally, and VENOM have always done that. We recorded all our own graveyard scenes on 'Buried Alive', put the microphone in the box and shovelled the muck on top of the box to get the sound effects. It's a bit more fun than working with some producers where they want metal in a box. They turn up and they get the same sound and there's so many metal albums coming out nowadays that have all had the same producer and all f***ing sound the same. Every song has the same guitar sound, the same drum sound and those vocals that go from screamed to clean and back again. It's just formatted sh*t and people should listen to themselves, get deep into where they're coming from and just do their own ideas."

Read more at Suite 101.

Swedish metallers FALCONER have entered Andy La Rocque's (KING DIAMOND) Sonic Train Studio in Varberg, Sweden to put the finishing touches on their new album, entitled "Among Beggars And Thieves". 13 songs are being mixed during the sessions, including two bonus tracks for the LP's first edition.

In other news, FALCONER shot the video for the song "Carnival Of Disgust" at the medieval Vadstena castle on a windy and cold April day. The clip, which will begin airing later this summer to coincide with the new album's release, "exceeds [all] expectations," according to a press release.

FALCONER guitarist Stefan Weinerhall previously stated about the upcoming CD. "The lyrics will all be about Swedish medieval life and episodes. Not a concept album really but still something in that direction. What I decided early on what that it wouldn't become 'Northwind Pt. 2'. 'Northwind' is as good as it can be, therefore we'll make things a tad different this time."

FALCONER last year extended its deal with Metal Blade for another four albums.

The group's fifth studio CD, "Northwind" — the band's first since the departure of singer Kristoffer Göbel and return of Mathias Blad — was released in September 2006 via Metal Blade Records.

The next batch of remastered UFO releases from EMI will include the following bonus tracks:

"Lights Out":

01. Lights Out (recorded live at the Roundhouse, London '76 - previously unreleased)
02. Gettin' Ready (recorded live at the Roundhouse, London '76 - previously unreleased)
03. Love To Love (recorded live at the Roundhouse, London '76 - previously unreleased)
04. Try Me (recorded live at the Roundhouse, London '76 - previously unreleased).

"Obsession":

01. Hot 'N' Ready (recorded live in Columbus Oct. 17, 1978 - previously unreleased)
02. Pack It Up And Go (recorded live in Columbus Oct. 17, 1978 - previously unreleased)
03. Ain't No Baby (recorded live in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Oct. 14, 1978 - previously unreleased)

"Strangers In The Night":

01. Hot 'N' Ready (recorded live at Youngstown, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1978)
02. Cherry (recorded live at Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1978).

EMI recently reissued UFO's first three Chrysalis albums — "Phenomenon", "No Heavy Petting" and "Force It" — featuring a number of bonus tracks.

UFO's latest CD, "The Monkey Puzzle", came out in September 2006 via SPV Records. The follow-up to 2004's "You Are Here" was recorded at Area 51 Studios with producer Tommy Newton, who also worked with the band on their prior album and who recorded the material for the band's "Showtime" live CD.

DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott recently spoke to the UK's Times Online about the secret to the group's continued success.

"Everyone's gotta get old," Elliott said. "What we do is extremely physical. Can you imagine someone of 48 in the Premiership? We're still in the Premiership. But you've gotta be sensible if you want to stop it from falling apart. Diet's the thing. I had a bowl of soup when I got here."

He added, "In five years time I'll be 53. Will we still be together? Yes. I mean, I don't know whether it's because we're scared shitless of things falling apart. We come from a working-class background where [adopts old-man Yorkshire drawl] 'You've got one chance, son, take it while you can or you're back to the factory.' So this [he gestures to the empty stage] becomes the Holy Grail and you've gotta cling on to it, baby. But if it all fell apart tomorrow I'm not gonna burst into tears. I'd look at it and I'd go, 'Well, we've won.' Because we got this far. And that's way further than most. I mean, what's better than rock 'n' roll? Exactly. Nothing."

Read more at Times Online.

A video trailer for "Holographic Universe", the third CD from Swedish metallers SCAR SYMMETRY, can be viewed below. A track from the CD, "Morphogenesis", can be heard on the band's MySpace page.

Due on June 20 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Holographic Universe" will feature the following track listing:

01. Morphogenesis (3:54)
02. Timewave Zero (5:13)
03. Quantumleaper (4:09)
04. Artificial Sun Projection (4:00)
05. The Missing Coordinates (4:37)
06. Ghost Prototype I (Measurement of Thought) (4:35)
07. Fear Catalyst (5:03)
08. Trapezoid (4:17)
09. Prism and Gate (3:46)
10. Holographic Universe (9:05)
11. The Three-Dimensional Shadow (3:57)
12. Ghost Prototype II (Deus Ex Machina) (6:03)

Check out the cover artwork at this location.

The reunited original lineup of BIOHAZARD has scheduled the following dates:

Jun. 20 - L'Amour - Staten Island, New York
Jul. 04 - Zeche Carl – Essen, Germany
Jul. 05 - Waldrock Festival – Bergum, Holland
Jul. 06 - With Full Force Festival – Leipzig, Germany

Fan-filmed video footage of BIOHAZARD performing the song "Shades of Grey" live on April 24, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand can be viewed below (courtesy of "delmsly"). The band recently completed a tour of Australia and New Zealand with KORN, CHIMAIRA and THROWDOWN.

In a recent interview with Terrorizer magazine, BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld explained how the band's reunion came about: "We had all been wondering what we were going to do to mark the twenty-year milestone in the BIOHAZARD history and it seemed like it was long overdue. Even though we are all busy with many different projects as well as other careers and music projects, it has been surprisingly painless to get everyone together. We had our first real jam three weeks ago and it was really amazingly tight considering it had been such a long time, the longest we had ever gone without playing together. Our former manager Scott suggested to me that I hook up with Bobby [Hambel, guitar] and we do a reunion. He was definitely integral in getting us all together. We think that since BIOHAZARD sold nearly four million albums worldwide and has performed in virtually every corner of the earth, lots of fans will come out to relive the even more famous live show, get a t-shirt, stage dive or just reminisce."

Regarding whether he had kept in touch with Bobby Hambel and whteher it easy to get him back on board, Evan said, "I had not personally spoken to Bobby in over twelve years. A lot of things had gotten between us, and neither of us thought we would ever speak again. The other guys had very limited contact with him over the years as well, but I have to say, I truly missed Bobby, and I am really glad to have him back in my life. He was one of the main driving forces of the creation of BIOHAZARD and our first three albums. More importantly, we are all brothers, and to be estranged from each other for so long was really fucked up. Bobby and I hung out in L.A. [in January] at NAMM [National Association of Music Merchants trade show] and it brought me right back to the early days of our friendship. Bobby is one of the greatest stage performers with a guitar in the world, and a super-passionate musician."

Finnish doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN will release their new EP, "Plague of Butterflies", on September 15 via Spinefarm Records.

Commented the band: "'Plague of Butterflies' is a story about an old hermit, deep woods, loneliness and the plague. It's one song in three parts and holds about 35 minutes of crushing gloom, beauty and despair. Music was originally ordered from us for a really interesting and big project, but the project was sadly abandoned. Because of this we are planning to use the music in different context — namely in a short movie - and we are in search for suitable partners to make this happen. We'll give more info on this later as things move on and wheels start to roll.'

"Plague of Butterflies" track listing:

01. Losing the Sunsets
02. Plague of Butterflies
03. Evael 10:00

The album also includes the rare "Out of This Gloomy Light" demo. There were only three demos sent out, so this is really rare stuff and holds some of the darkest and coldest moments ever recorded by SWALLOW THE SUN.

"Out of This Gloomy Light" demo track listing:

01. Through Her Silvery Body
02. Out of This Gloomy Light
03. Under the Waves
04. Swallow (Horror Pt. 1)

"Hope", the third album by SWALLOW THE SUN, entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 3 back in February 2007. The follow-up to 2005's "Ghosts of Loss" was recorded at Seawolf Studios in Helsinki and was mastered at Finnvox studios with Minerva Pappi. The LP features a vocal appearance by Jonas Renkse of KATATONIA on the song "The Justice of Suffering".

Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records has announced its first seven-inch single release — DIMMU BORGIR's "Vredesbyrd", originally issued in 2004 as a mini-CD via Nuclear Blast Records. The seven-inch release is limited to 500 units. The bi-colored vinyl in a pentagram-shape cover features the following track listing:

Side A:

01. Vredesbyrd (radio edit)

Side B:

01. Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse (radio edit)

For more information, go to this location.

Rob Zombie has issued a brief update on the progress of his next studio album. Zombie wrote online, "Well, we have for the first time ever written more songs than we need for an album. Everything isn't 100% finished, but everything is moving along great. No release date yet."

Zombie's next studio effort will follow up 2006's "Educated Horses", which was his third solo CD. He also released his first concert recording, "Zombie - Live", late last year. Although he's still apparently committed to making music, Zombie recently told Metal Edge magazine that the record labels are "dinosaurs waiting to die."

Rob said in a recent conference call that he's not sure what future music distribution will look like. "There's got to be something else you can do because CDs, we know that's done," he said. "That's just done. And a download is just not that exciting. There's something missing when you — you can't walk up to someone and go, 'Oh, can you autograph my download?' There's got to be something else that can then happen. I just don't know. I mean, we're certainly trying to figure out what it is, because I want to figure out something special for the next musical release, whatever it will be."

The rocker-turned-filmmaker is also working on his next movie as screenwriter and director, titled "Tyrannosaurus Rex". The movie is rumored to be about a semi-professional wrestler who is being pursued by a "biker gang from hell."

The film is due out on August 28, 2009 and will follow Zombie's hit 2007 remake of "Halloween".

Zombie's upcoming animated film, "The Haunted World of El Superbeasto", is due out sometime this year.

Kscope has set an August 25 release date for the new semi-acoustic album from UK atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA entitled "Hindsight". The LP will be available to download from August 18.

"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 have 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.

ANATHEMA has 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". This is set to be an album beyond all expectations.

A brand new ANATHEMA song entitled "Angels Walk Among Us" is available for download at this location (MP3, 18 MB).

According to a posting on the KISS fan site KissNews.de, close to 20,000 people saw KISS performing in Moscow yesterday (Saturday, May 24) with all their special effects except the platform where the band was lifted down at the beginning of the show. The ticket prices were extremely high (100 euros and more), but there were more people at the concert than at OZZY OSBOURNE or AEROSMITH. They played 128 minutes the same setlist as the previous show in Riga. Because of the big success of the tour, the band supposedly wants to come back to Europe again next year (similar to the 1996/97 Reunion tour)."

Check out photos from the concert at Darkside.

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Parasite" performance can be viewed below.

KISS' setlist was as follows:

01. Deuce
02. Strutter
03. Got To Choose
04. Hotter Than Hell
05. Firehouse
06. Nothin' To Lose
07. C'mon & Love Me
08. Parasite
09. She + Tommy Thayer solo
10. Watchin' You
11. Rock Bottom
12. 100.000 Years + Eric Singer solo
13. Cold Gin
14. Let Me Go, Rock & Roll
15. Black Diamond
16. Rock and Roll All Nite
Encore:
17. Shout It Out Loud
18. Lick It Up / Won't Get Fooled Again
19. Gene solo + I Love It Loud
20. I Was Made For Lovin' You
21. Love Gun
22. Detroit Rock City