Finnish cello quartet APOCALYPTICA took part in a short performance and interview on April 21, 2008 at the studios of X96 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Watch the interview and performance footage below.

According to The Pulse of Radio, APOCALYPTICA has enlisted FUEL frontman Toryn Green to handle lead vocals on the remainder of the quartet's current North American tour, which began on April 11 and continues through mid-May. The group initially enlisted vocalist Johnny Andrews, who co-wrote the band's current single, "I'm Not Jesus", to sing on the trek, but Andrews has been replaced after just a handful of shows. In addition to "I'm Not Jesus", Andrews also co-wrote another track called "S.O.S. (Anything But Love)". Both tunes are from APOCALYPTICA's new album, "Worlds Collide", which arrived in stores in the U.S. on April 15.

The studio version of "I'm Not Jesus", which features STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT vocalist Corey Taylor, is a Top 10 hit at rock radio.

Other guests on "Worlds Collide" include THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Adam Gontier, LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia, drummer Dave Lombardo from SLAYER and vocalist Till Lindemann of RAMMSTEIN.

DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has collaborated with former SPOCK'S BEARD frontman Neal Morse and guitarist Paul Gilbert (ex-MR. BIG, RACER X) on a cover of THE OSMONDS' "Crazy Horses". The track, which will appear on Morse's forthcoming solo album, features Portnoy on drums and lead vocals.

Released in 1972, "Crazy Horses" was reportedly written about air pollution (with "crazy horses" representing automobiles) and was originally banned in South Africa because "horses" is a slang term for heroin there.

Long-running UK rock legends TANK previously covered "Crazy Horses" on their classic 1982 "Power of the Hunter" album.

J. Bennett of Decibel magazine (web site) recently conducted an interview with Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, ex-SEPULTURA). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Decibel: Were you upset that [SEPULTURA] kept the band name after you left?

Max: No, but it's not the same, you know? And it's not just me who feels that way — it's a lot of the fans, too. I just felt betrayed, you know? When something is yours and it's taken away from you… it's just betrayal. But it was really hard because my brother [former SEPULTURA and current CAVALERA CONSPIRACY drummer Igor Cavalera] was in the band, too. Musically, I got over it really quickly because I got so busy with SOULFLY that I didn't have time to be bitter.

Decibel: Now SEPULTURA exists without you or Igor. How fuckin' weird is that?

Max: They might be touring under the name, but me and Igor are carrying the whole spirit under the name [CAVALERA] CONSPIRACY. So the name SEPULTURA might be out there, but there's nothing inside. What I'm doing with Igor is the closest thing to a reunion, but it's better because we're playing new songs. I couldn't really ask for more.

Decibel: Have you talked to [SEPULTURA guitarist] Andreas [Kisser] or [bassist] Paulo [Xisto Pinto Junior] since you left SEPULTURA?

Max: No, I haven't talked to either of them. You know, people even though the whole thing with Igor was made up. People in Europe would say, "Oh, you guys hang out at family reunions — you just tell the press that you don't talk." But no, man — I'm not making this shit up. I didn't talk to Igor for a long fucking time, and I still haven't talked to the other guys. It's kinda weird, but because of the way things have worked out with Igor, there's a possibility that we might do some shows together with those guys. I'm very open about saying I'd love to do a reunion — even with the guys from the early incarnation of SEPULTURA, from the 10 years of what I like to call "death metal boot camp" that we did in Brazil before we even came to the States. Those were great years — we played like shit and we knew nothing, but those were fundamental years for me and Igor. That incarnation of SEPULTURA was very important, and I think a lot of people forget that. Without those years, there never would have been a "Chaos A.D." or "Roots". That was the foundation; that was the beginning. So if we ever do a reunion, I'd really like to invite those guys to show people something a little deeper than the classic lineup.

Decibel: Has there been any backlash from that interview with the Swedish magazine, the one where you called KILLSWITCH ENGAGE gay?

Max: Not much, man. People haven't really asked. It's my opinion, man, you know? I don't like NICKELBACK either. But opinions are like assholes and a lot of people don't really like my ass.

For more information, visit www.decibelmagazine.com.

Swedish doom metal legends CANDLEMASS are currently recording a new EP, "Lucfer Rising", for a tentative Septeber release via Nuclear Blast Records. It will include two brand new tracks — "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God" — plus a whole bunch of live tracks from the previous tour. A new album will be recorded in the fall for a spring 2009 release.

In other news, the following CANDLEMASS and CANDLEMASS-related albums are being re-released in 2008 on Snapper/Peaceville:

* "Chapter VI" (1992): March 31
* "Dactylis Glomerata" (1998) + ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA 2: May 26
* "From the 13th Sun" (1999) (w/ bonus tracks "Oil", "Nimis", "Rock 'n' Roll"): June 23
* "Live" (1990) (w/ bonus audio disc recorded at Dynamo Open Air 1988): August 11

CANDLEMASS' latest album, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The group's guitarist, Mats "Mappe" Björkman, was recently sentenced to two years in prison for grand theft. The musician was convicted of stealing CDs worth approximately $490,000 from the distribution warehouse of Entertainment Network Scandinavia AB, where he and an accomplice shipped the CDs to Stockholm retail outlets. He has since appealed the sentence.

Björkman's conviction is not expected to affect his participation in the group's upcoming U.S. tour, which is scheduled to kick off mid-May.

Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA are currently in the studio working on their new album, which is based on the Anthony Burgess novel "A Clockwork Orange" (later turned into the classic film by Stanley Kubrick).

Known for its creativity and ideas, the band has teamed up with MySpace for an extremely innovative fan contest, "Be A Part Of The Next Sepultura Record."

Beginning on April 21, the MySpace international sites in the following countries will be actively participating in the contest: USA, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Japan, Mexico, India, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Brazil.

From April 21 to May 11, MySpace and SEPULTURA are inviting fans to submit a sentence or "catch phrase" relating to "A Clockwork Orange". On May 23, SEPULTURA and MySpace will announce the winning sentence! And on May 30 the band will write and record a song based on the winning phrase in 24 hours! And yes, this song will be on the upcoming album, which is tentatively set for a late fall release worldwide.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser has recorded video messages that will be broadcast starting Monday on MySpace, announcing and explaining the contest in various languages (Spanish, English, Portugese, Italian and even Swedish!).

Watch video footage of SEPULTURA rehearsing a song for the forthcoming album below.

Kisser recently completed work on his solo debut, entitled "Hubris I & II". A two-disc set, it is tentatively scheduled for release later in the year via Holland's Mascot Records. The CD was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo, Brazil.

Kisser previously stated about his upcoming solo album, "I'm very pleased with the result so far and I'm excited to hear it all done. It was a long process, a learning process and a great experience. It's a musical journey trough the influences I had for last 15 years of my life and at the same time it's very different from everything I did so far."

EDGUY singer Tobias Sammet has issued the following update on his AVANTASIA solo project:

"I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your great support. 'The Scarecrow' is an album that means a lot to me and it was quite a commercial risk to just follow my heart instead of doing exactly what people expected. But if I take a look at the chart positions and sales — it went into the album charts in 16 countries, hitting the Top10 in four countries — it seems like you appreciate my honesty! Thank you!

Now preparing for the festival summer with AVANTASIA seems so surreal. AVANTASIA has never been on stage before and all of the sudden we are headlining the biggest festivals in the world, just been confirmed for the Sziget festival in Hungary on the 13th of August, playing amongst legendary bands such as R.E.M., DIE ÄRZTE, IRON MAIDEN and the SEX PISTOLS. Amazing!

"The AVANTASIA line up will be Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), André Matos (ex-ANGRA), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann, Bob Catley (MAGNUM — not all shows), Sascha Paeth, Miro, Robert Hunecke, Claudy Yang and Frank Lindenthal who is gonna replace Eric Singer who'll be playing with KISS. Despite all rumors Michael Kiske will not be there, as he didn't wanna do it and I respect that! We'll put on a huge epic show anyway. Nobody has done something like that before and I swear, nobody will ever forget the event, neither you nor us!!!"


"The Scarecrow" was "officially one of the 20 best-selling albums in whole Europe during the fourth week of January," according to a press release.

"The Scarecrow" was released on January 25 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl.

"The Scarecrow" features guest appearances by the following artists:

Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (MAGNUM; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN; vocals)
Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (KAMELOT; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS; guitar)

"We Are the Nightmare", the new video from the Virginia-based technical death metal outfit ARSIS, can be viewed here. A second (animated) version of the clip is currently in the works and will see the light of day in the next few weeks. The song is the title track of the group's new labum, which was released on April 15 through Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by Zeuss (AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE) at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts and was mastered by Alan Douches (KATAKLYSM, UNEARTH, SHADOWS FALL).

"We Are The Nightmare" was released with a bonus 45-minute DVD that includes the band's time in the studio, off-stage antics, and some general goofing around. Guitarist/lead vocalist James Malone states: "I can honestly say that this was the best recording experience that I have had in my years with ARSIS. Not only was Zeuss great to work with, but Ryan (Knight, guitarist), Darren (Cesca, drummer), and Noah (Martin, bassist) all did an outstanding job. We all worked together to create what I feel is the most accomplished ARSIS album to date. I can still listen to the songs, and that's a good sign."

German thrashers ABANDONED have issued the following update:

"First the bad news: Konrad 'Konny' Cartini, the original ABANDO-drummer, will lay down his drumsticks immediately due to sexual differences! Gone are the times of spontaneous stand-up comedy and delicate drumming that enriched each single live gig and our records... The reason for all this: Konny's gonna be a daddy for the second time! Seems like it's time for him to take care of his kids before they end up like him, haha! We'll miss you, brother!

"But ABANDONED wouldn't be ABANDONED if we had no equivalent successor for the no longer vacant position (which indeed is the good news)!

"We are proud to announce that Sven Vormann, drummer par excellence who played in DESTRUCTION and JESUS CHRYSLER SUPERSKUNK in the past, has just joined the ABANDONED family!!!

"Welcome aboard, brother!

"We're looking forward to the first shows introducing the ABANDONED Mk. II lineup on Headbangers Open Air and many others to thrash your fuckin' socks off and to record our next album in true ABANDONED fashion by the end of the year... yeah!"

ABANDONED's sophomore album, "Thrash You!", was released in June 2007 via Dockyard 1.

"Thrash You!" is the follow-up to "Thrash Notes", which was recorded late 2005 at Hammer Music Studio (formerly Karo Studio) in Brackel, Germany and was released in 2006 via Dockyard 1.

France's NRV-TV recently conducted an interview with MY DYING BRIDE guitarist Hamish Glencross. Watch the chat at this location.

As previously reported, Peaceville Records has set an April 28 release date for 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".

The 13 tracks of bleak despair create the unparalleled atmosphere which MY DYING BRIDE has always excelled at.

"An Ode to Woe" (cover artwork) track listing (disc one CD; disc two DVD):

01. To Remain Tombless
02. My Hope, The Destroyer
03. For You
04. The Blue Lotus
05. Like Gods Of The Sun
06. Catherine Blake
07. The Cry Of Mankind
08. The Whore, The Cook & the Mother
09. Thy Raven Wings
10. The Snow In My Hand
11. She Is The Dark
12. The Dreadful Hours
13. The Forever People * (on DVD only)

Watch footage from the Paradiso concert below.

Audio samples of three songs from "Revelation VI", the new album from Swedish melodic black metallers SIEBENBÜRGEN, are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. Check out the tracks "Grimheim", "The Soulless" and "In Sanctum" at this location.

"Revelation VI" (cover artwork) is scheduled for release on May 30 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Studio 301 in Stockholm and Sonic Train in Varberg and is the group's first to feature guitarist Joakim Ohlsson and vocalist Lisa Bohwalli Simonsson. Singer Marcus Ehlin previously stated, "Our first decision was to exclude the female parts in our music, but after hearing Lisa's voice, we changed our minds."

"Revelation VI" track listing:

01. Awaken
02. Rebirth Of The Nameless
03. Infernaliia
04. Revelation VI
05. Grimheim
06. After The Wolf (Do Dead Men Follow)
07. S.I.N.
08. The Oaken Throne
09. The Soulless
10. Enter Omega (digipack bonus track)
11. In Sanctum
12. Fire Leaps High
13. At The End Of Twilight

SIEBENBÜRGEN split up in February 2006, explaining at the time that "after 12 years, we sadly don't have the energy and inspiration to take the band any further and it would be wrong to us and to our fans to continue without the passion that SIEBENBÜRGEN deserve."

SIEBENBÜRGEN's fifth album, "Darker Designs & Images", was released in 2005 via Napalm Records.

German melodic metallers EDGUY are preparing to enter the studio to begin recording the follow-up to 2006's "Rocket Ride".

Commented frontman Tobias Sammet: "People think that we are quite fast but that's not the truth. I completed the AVANTASIA album last autumn, the AVANTASIA songwriting itself was completed even way back in 2006. All the new ideas I've had since then could be taken for EDGUY. In fact, this is a long time to refresh your creativity and gather new stuff. The material sounds very fresh, it embraces all the different trademarks of EDGUY, I think it is a logical continuation of 'Rocket Ride' and 'Hellfire Club'. Maybe it doesn't come across as goofy as 'Rocket Ride', but I am sure if we have fun in the studio we'll have enough possibilities to ruin the day for notoriously bitter people, haha. Yet it's more bombastic and heavier, not too fast 'cause I really don't like pure speed metal that much anymore. I like 'Lavatory Love Machine', 'The Piper Never Dies', 'Mandrake' and 'Sacrifice'. There's three fast tracks, but they are all good, not 'just fast!' We'll enter the studio next week and work whenever producer Sascha Paeth and me come back from the AVANTASIA weekends."

EDGUY's latest album, "Rocket Ride", entered the German national album chart at position No. 8 upon its release in late January 2006. The CD also came in at No. 8 in Sweden, No. 25 in Finland, No. 32 in Hungary, No. 48 in Japan, No. 50 in Switzerland, No. 50 in Austria, No. 79 in Norway and No. 81 in Italy.

Drummer Pelle Åkerlind of the Swedish power metal band MORGANA LEFAY has released the following statement:

"There seems to be rumours about our death every now and then... It would be nice if the people that 'know' that we are dead would be kind enough to inform us about it because we certainly didn't know...

"IF we EVER decide to put an end to MORGANA LEFAY, WE will let you know! Note the capital IF and EVER...

"There are NO such plans at this time. MORGANA LEFAY will live for all eternity and spread like a virus..."

MORGANA LEFAY's video for the song "Delusions" can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's latest album, "Aberrations of the Mind", which came out in March 2007 via Black Mark. The clip was directed by NOCTURNAL RITES' drummer Owe Lingvall of Village Road Films.

According to a press release, "Aberrations of the Mind" contains "a new level of aggression while still maintaining the traditional MORGANA LEFAY sound." The album also features the debut of the band's new skinbasher, Pelle Åkerlind (BLOODBOUND, LEDNOTE).

The cover artwork for "Hell", the new album from British black metal pioneers VENOM, can be found at this location. Due in Europe on May 26 via Sanctuary (May 27 in the U.S.), the CD is "packed with 13 brand new malevolent tracks from the masters of black metal," according to a posting on the band's web site.

"Hell" track listing:

01. Straight To Hell
02. The Power And The Glory
03. Hand Of God
04. Fall From Grace
05. Hell
06. Evil Perfection
07. Stab U In The Back
08. Armageddon
09. Kill The Music
10. Evilution Devilution
11. Blood Sky
12. USA For Satan
13. Dirge / The Awakening

Streaming audio samples of eight songs from "Hell" are available at this location.

VENOM will perform at the Hellfest (June 20-22) in Clisson, France. More shows will be announced soon.

A brand new VENOM band photo can be viewed at this location.

VENOM last year parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has been drafted in to replace Mykvs.

Megaherz can surely be labelled as one of the bands who helped to shape the ''Neue Deutsche Haerte'' genre, made popular by acts as Rammstein and Oomph!

12 years after their debut the band is now ready to return with their sixth album at 25 july 2008. With a new singer, LEX, and a new drummer, BamBam, founding members X-Ti on guitars and Wenz on bass, the band will appeal again to people from the gothic and metal crowd alike.The new album will be released by the label ZYX-Music. They not only shared the success with the first 3 albums including the bestseller ''Kopfschuss''. It’s time to revive the glory days for our true fans and win new ones along the way.

SOILWORK frontman Björn "Speed" Strid and drummer Dirk Verbeuren were interviewed by Johnny Orlando, Jr. in Chicago during the band's recently completed Scum Of The Earth tour alongside THROWDOWN and THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD. The guys talk about tour exhaustion, their favorite shapes and the possibility of releasing an electronic dance album.

Watch the six-minute chat below.

SOILWORK recently parted ways with guitarist Ola Frenning due to Ola's "resistance to the demands of the road." David Andersson filled in on the band's tour with THROWDOWN. The group will then tour Australia, Japan and Southeast Asia before returning to Europe for festivals and a headlining U.S. tour in the fall.

SOILWORK sold 5,000 copies of its new album, "Sworn to a Great Divide", in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 148 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Guitarist Jarmo Puolakanaho of the reactivated Finnish melodic extreme metal band ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW has issued the following update:

"It's already April. Weird how fast time flies. It's fourteen years since ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW was officially formed when recording 'The Seven Goddesses of Frost' promo/demo tape. Even though a lot of things have happened us during these fourteen years, the core of the band — the songwriting process — is and feels the same.

"The songwriting process for our sixth album is doing well and we're expecting the album to come out in the first quarter of the year 2009. Stay tuned for more news!"

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW's fifth album, "Before the Bleeding Sun", was released in Finland in April 2006 via Spinefarm Records.

"Before the Bleeding Sun" was recorded at Tico-Tico Studios in Kemi and at Note-On Studios in Kuopio and marks the group's first release to feature lead guitarist Risto Ruuth (also in SCYRON) and Tolsa.

Poland's Metal Mind Productions will re-release ANNIHILATOR's "In Command" — a live album covering the Canadian metal band's 1989-1990 period, considered by many fans to be ANNIHILATOR's strongest years — on May 19 in Europe (July 8 in the USA via MVD). The limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.

ANNIHILATOR released its latest album, "Metal", in North America on January 15 via SPV. The CD's ten new tracks were recorded by Jeff Waters (guitar, bass and lead vocals on one song), drum legend Mike Mangini and Dave Padden (longtime vocalist and touring guitarist/vocalist). The album features sensational performances by some of metal's finest players and ANNIHILATOR's good friends, like Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), Danko Jones, Michael Amott and Angela Gossow (ARCH ENEMY), Corey Beaulieu (TRIVIUM), William Adler (LAMB OF GOD), Jeff Loomis, Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES), Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED), Jacob Lynam (LYNAM) and more.

SINNER, the veteran German metal oufit led by Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR), has completed work on recording its new album, "Crash & Burn", for a September 19 release via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at the House Of Music Studios, with Sinner and guitarist/vocalist Henny Wolter handling the production duties and Dennis Ward taking care of the engineering. It will be mixed by Achim Köhler at his Indiscreet Audio studio.

Commented Mat Sinner: "Well, it was a very intensive session we've did and everybody in the band did a fantastic job. We had a lot of fun in the studio and rocked until every limit. Finally, we've created a really rock 'n' roll album. Some years ago the fans would name the style heavy rock, but in the end… who cares. We used very vintage old amps and guitars to create this album and get the vibe we're looking out for! Thanks to Dennis and everybody at the House Of Music for supporting us in great way on our journey. We've recorded a bunch of 13 tracks finally and a lot of music. At the moment, we don't want to talk about the song titles or the final running order. We will just wait until Phase 2 and Achim Köhler's mix will work out and then give you another update with more facts and which song will be the first single/videoclip."

Check out pictures from the recording sessions at this location.

Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Heart Of Darkness", "Crash & Burn", "Connection", "Break The Silence", "Revolution", "Like A Rock", "Unbreakable", "One Night Only" and "The Dog"."

A nine-minute audio interview with AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson which aired yesterday (Tuesday, April 22) on Washigton D.C.'s DC 101 radio station can be heard below. During the chat Johnson revealed that AC/DC has finished recording its new studio effort and is now mixing the album — which was described by the singer as "absolutely excellent" — with plans to release it in late 2008. Brian added that guitarist Angus and Malcolm Young were still at the studio in Vancouver, Canada to supervise the mix with producers Brendan O'Brien and Mike Fraser. Johnson also said in the interview that the band will tour in support of the disc.

According to Reuters, the new album will be AC/DC's first for Sony BMG's Epic Records label, which reissued the band's back catalog a few years ago.

O'Brien is also known for his work with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, PEARL JAM, AUDIOSLAVE and VELVET REVOLVER, among others.

VH1 Classic host Eddie Trunk recently revealed on his New York radio show that AC/DC was rumored to be planning a "farewell" tour for later in the year.

In other news, "Totally Baked", a "stoner comedy" on which Brian Johnson is listed as an executive producer, debuted on DVD on Tuesday. Johnson also wrote three new songs for the movie's soundtrack.

Regain Records has announced the signing of UNANIMATED, the reunited Swedish melodic death metal band featuring former members of ENTOMBED and DISMEMBER. The group is currently remastering its first two albums — 1993's "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" (Pavement Records) and 1995's "Ancient God of Evil" (No Fashion Records) — for re-release in June with bonus tracks.

UNANIMATED is planning to enter the studio this summer to begin recording a new album. Bassist Richard Cabeza previously stated, "We are getting the final pieces together and we are all on the same page on what needs to be done. More and more music is written. Peter [Stjärnvind, drums] sent me two new songs today and Jojje [guitarist Johan Bolin] is writing again like he hasn't in years, and talking to Mike [vocalist Micke Jansson]... He is working on lyrics... It feels good! It's like it's 1994 again. Hehehe! We are very excited and ambitious to start the recording process for the new album."

UNANIMATED has been confirmed for the Party.San Open Air festival will take place August 7-9, 2008 in Bad Berka, Germany. Joining the group on stage for this special event will be Erik Wallin (MERCILESS) on second guitar.

UNANIMATED was founded in 1989 in Stockholm and disbanded in 1996. Largely inspired by DISMEMBER, the group created two melodic death metal albums — the aforementioned "In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead" and "Ancient God of Evil". The band also contributed to the 1996 SLAYER tribute "Slaytanic Slaughter II" with its cover of "Dead Skin Mask". In 2007, the group reformed.

UNANIMATED current lineup:

Micke Jansson (CELESTIAL PAIN) - Vocals
Johan "UFO" Bolin - Guitar
Richard Cabeza (DISMEMBER, DAMNATION, MURDER SQUAD, BORN OF FIRE, GENERAL SURGERY, DARK FUNERAL, CARBONIZED) - Bass
Peter Stjärnvind (MERCILESS, REGURGITATE, DAMNATION, ENTOMBED, FACE DOWN, BORN OF FIRE, MURDER SQUAD, KRUX, NIFELHEIM) - Drums

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/unanimated08.

Spinefarm Records will reissue the band's "Something Wild", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Tokyo Warhearts" (live) albums on April 30. The three studio LPs will contain the original songs plus the following bonus material:

"Something Wild":

01. Children Of Bodom (original single version)
02. Mass Hypnosis (SEPULTURA cover)
03. Deadnight Warrior (video)

"Hatebreeder":

01. No Commands (STONE cover)
02. Aces High (IRON MAIDEN cover)
03. Downfall (video) (not yet confirmed)

"Follow the Reaper":

01. Hate Me! (original single version)
02. Hellion (W.A.S.P. cover)
03. Everytime I Die (video)

"Blooddrunk", the new album from CHILDREN OF BODOM, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart. This is roughly four times the opening tally of its predecessor, "Are You Dead Yet?", which premiered with 5,000 units back in October 2005 to land at No. 195.

"Blooddrunk" has registered the following first-week chart positions so far:

Finland: #1
Japan: #2 (International)
Canada: #7
Sweden: #8
Germany: #10
USA: #22
Ireland: #51

"Blooddrunk" was certified gold in Finland (for sales in excess of 15,000 copies) on pre-sales alone — before it was even officially released — a first for the band.

Swedish thrashers THE HAUNTED recently entered PUK studio in Denmark to begin recording their new album with producer Tue Madsen (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MOONSPELL, etc), who has previously worked with the group on their two previous albums, "rEVOLVEr" and "The Dead Eye".

Commented vocalist Peter Dolving: "What [does] it all sounds like so far? It sounds fucking ridiculously heavy. It's all got a heavier groovier feel to to it than anything we've done before. I mean, even some of the new songs that are in the vein of 'HateSong' or '99' just sound waaay heavier for some reason. I have to leave the mixing room 'cause I get so jacked on adrenaline, 'cause it makes me want to break shit. And that is somehow a good thing."

A four-minute video clip from the studio can be viewed below.

Bassist Jonas Björler previously stated: "We have like 20+ songs, so we have a lot of material to choose from; I think we aim at putting 11 or 12 on the CD. This time around we worked six months on the songs, and I think that really paid off — none of the songs sound alike, and the material sounds really heavy and groovy."

Working songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Walk on Water", "Final Regression", "You", "Faultline" and "Narcotic".

Despite the upcoming AT THE GATES reunion tourdates, which see Jonas and Anders Björler invade Japan, North American and several prestigious European Summer festivals with their former band, THE HAUNTED will be busy playing shows as well and they have been confirmed for Spain's Electric Weekend festival on May 31 as well as Germany's Wacken Open Air festival on August 1.

British black metal veterans HECATE ENTHRONED are currently working on their seventh full-length album at an undisclosed location in Cheshire, UK. The group's first release since 2004's "Redimus" coincides with a major new publishing deal with former Warner Chapell Music publishing head Jana Yell as well as plans for a massive European and U.S. tour.

Manager Chris Turton comments: "The band have almost finished laying down all drum tracks for the new album and all initial reactions have been superb. They have a great team of people behind them as well as a multitude of supportive fans, this will be the biggest and best release yet."

HECATE ENTHRONED has yet to announce a new album deal, but has confirmed that the upcoming CD will NOT be issued through Candlelight/Blackend, which handled the band's last release.

Long-running UK extreme metallers BENEDICTION have completed work on their new album, "Killing Music", due before the end of the year via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band: "Well, that's it. We've recorded everything and now we have to let go of it. It is in the more than capable hands of the producer, Mick 'Ginger C**t' Kenney of ANAAL NATHRAKH infamy. If you can imagine the crispness of the grindbastard album with the ferocity of ANAAL NATHRAKH on a disc then you will get the idea of what is to come. A lot of beer, football, hospitals, pubs, curries, kebabs, kitkats and crisps went into the making of 'Killing Music'!

"Thanks to everyone who popped in on the recording sessions to give support and drink our free beer! We look forward to hearing the finished product once Mick has weaved his ginger magic on our baby."

"Killing Music" tentative track listing:

01. Hells Gate
02. Cold, Deathless, Unrepentant
03. Killing Music
04. Dripping With Disgust
05. Dissembler
06. Rats In The Mask (Controlopolis)
07. Betrayer
08. Immaculate Facade
09. They Bleed
10. Frozen Heart
11. The Grey Man
12. As Her Skin Weeps
13. They Must Die Screaming
14. Seeing Through My Eyes (BROKEN BONES cover)
15. Largactyl (AMEBIX cover)

Video footage of BENEDICTION performing a new song, entitled "Killing Music", at last year's Up From The Ground festival — which took place August 24-25, 2007 in Gemünden, Germany — can be viewed below.

THRONAR, the Arnhem, Holland-based pagan metal band featuring singer Reamon Bloem (HEIDEVOLK), will release its second album, tentatively titled "Unleash the Fire", on July 25 via Twilight Vertrieb.

Reamon Bloem: Vocals
Otto van Beusekom: Guitar & Vocals
Bouke Braun: Bass
Nathalia Hoogkamer: Synthesizer
Jarno Olinga: Drums
Kevin Olinga: Guitar

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/thronarofficial.

Portland's AGALLOCH has issued the following update:

"Having fulfilled our record contract with The End Records, we have decided not to renew with them. We thank The End for 10 years of hard work and dedication. Our three full-length albums will continue to be in print for as long as there is a demand for them. AGALLOCH's immediate plans are to remain low key, work on new material, and look towards the future."

AGALLOCH's latest EP, "The White EP", was released in February via Vendlus Records. The CD is the follow-up to 2004's "The Grey EP" and completes a dichotomy of releases for Vendlus Records. "The White EP" contains seven dark folk and ambient works written and recorded over the past three years.

AGALLOCH released its critically acclaimed album, "Ashes Against the Grain" in August 2007 via The End Records.