Thomen Stauch (drums; ex-BLIND GUARDIAN, SAVAGE CIRCUS), David DeFeis (vocals; VIRGIN STEELE) and Axel Ritt (guitar; DOMAIN) have joined forces in a new, as-yet-unnamed band. The group's musical direction will be "a combination of their musical backgrounds [to] give the fans exactly what they expect," according to a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. The band has already commenced the songwriting process for its debut album, which "will be an extraordinary fusion of power, speed, epic and symphonic metal elements."

To round out the lineup, the band is still looking for a suitable bass player.

Japanese black metal act SIGH has recorded a six-song tribute to legendary black metal band VENOM, titled "Sigh's Tribute to Venom", at Earth Studios. This release will mark the recording debut of Mikannibal (vocals, sax) with SIGH.

"Sigh's Tribute to Venom" track listing:

01. Black Metal
02. Schizo
03. Die Hard
04. Countess Bathory
05. Teacher's Pet
06. Witching Hour

Recording lineup:

Mirai Kawashima: Bass, Organ, Backing Vocals
Satoshi Fujinami: Drums, Guitar
Shinichi Ishikawa: Guitar
Junichi Harashima: Drums
Dr. Mikannibal: Vocals

SIGH is currently working on its new album, entitled "Scenes from Hell / Tempore Belli / Vanitas". According to a press release, SIGH will work with a real string quartet and some brass players this time. "This is going to be a very furious and grandiose album," says singer Mirai Kawashima.

The new album is scheduled for release this fall on The End Records to coincide with SIGH's headlining tour of North America with ZIMMERS HOLE and UNEXPECT.

FIREWIND guitarist Gus G. has recorded a guest solo for "Redemption", the third album from the Portugese metal/goth rock band HEAVENWOOD, due in September via Recital Records. Gus appears in the track "One Step to Devotion", "matching perfectly HEAVENWOOD's emotive music with is thundering solo!" according to a press release. Also scheduled to appear on the CD is singer Tijs Vanneste of the Belgian progressive metallers OCEANS OF SADNESS.

"Redemption" will be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The initial recording sessions for the CD took place at Ultrasound Studios with Daniel Cardoso and Ricardo Dias.

After the departure in 2004 of main songwritter and guitarist Ricardo Dias, HEAVENWOOD went on a lengthy hiatus. Now Ricardo Dias has returned along with new drummer Luiz Ferreira (ex-SECRECY from Portugal).

HEAVENWOOD 2007 is:

Ernesto Guerra - Vocals
Ricardo Dias - Guitars and Vocals
Bruno Silva - Guitar
Luiz Ferreira - Drums

Swedish metallers SABATON will release their new album, "The Art of War", on May 30 via Black Lodge Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Attero Dominatus" was recorded at Abyss Studios with producer Peter Tägtgren and will be made available in three formats: normal CD, gatefold LP and a limited-editon CD that comes in a DVD package that also will include the exclusive book "The Art of War".

"The Art of War" track listing:

01. Sun Tzu Says
02. Ghost Division
03. The Art Of War
04. 40:1
05. Unbreakable
06. The nature of Warfare
07. Cliffs of Gallipoli
08. Talvisota
09. Panzerkampf
10. Union (Slopes of St. Benedict)
11. The Price of a Mile
12. Firestorm
13. A Secret

Dockyard 1 has announced the signing of German "noble power metal" hopefuls CRYSTALLION. The Bavarians will release their second album, "Hattin", on May 16. The group's first CD, "A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night", came out in 2006 and was well received by fans and media. Germany's Rock Hard magazine gave it 8/10 points and stated: "From songs to production to the cover, everything fits here. A very well-done debut for a young and promising band!"

CRYSTALLION's bombastic metal is said to be influenced by RHAPSODY, STRATOVARIUS, HELLOWEEN and SONATA ARCTICA. Their most significant asset is singer Thomas Strübler's multi-octave range, which separates the band from their counterparts.

After issuing two critically acclaimed albums nearly a decade ago — "Domus Mundi" (1999) and "With Vilest Of Worms To Dwell" (2001) — Austrian symphonic extreme metal outfit HOLLENTHON is set to return on May 30 with the release of a new full-length CD. Entitled "Opus Magnum", the new effort will be made available via the Austrian record label Napalm Records will feature eight songs and a cover version, plus a video.

"Opus Magnum" tentative track listing (in no particular order):

01. Ars Moriendi
02. Of Splendid Worlds
03. Once We Were Kings
04. To Fabled Lands
05. Dying Embers
06. Misterium Babel
07. On The Wings Of A Dove
08. Son Of Perdition
09. The Bazaar (THE TEA PARTY cover) (limited edition only)
10. Son Of Perdition (video) (limited edition only)

Swedish Viking metallers AMON AMARTH have issued the following update:

"Back from a two-week vacation we've continued working on new songs for our upcoming release. We have a handful of great songs already, soon-to-be AMON AMARTH classics, and we still have plenty of great song ideas. On March 27th we’re taking a break from the songwriting, heading out to sea, raiding and pillaging (the bars) at the Sweden Rock Cruise."

"Silverskull", the new video from HEADHUNTER, the reunited German band featuring DESTRUCTION frontman Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael, and guitarist Schmuddel (ex-TALON), can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's forthcoming comeback album, "Parasite of Society", which is scheduled for release on May 23 via AFM Records in Europe. The CD was mixed by Achim Köhler in Stuttgart, Germany.

Schmier previously stated about the album, "This record really made my day in difficult times and goes back to the roots of metal. My roots of music. I'm fuckin' honored that I had the chance again to play with my mates, Schmuddel and Jörg, after all those years."

"Parasite of Society" track listing:

01. 3rd Man Introduction
02. Parasite Of Society
03. Silverskull
04. Remission
05. Doomsday For The Prayer
06. 18 And Life
07. Read My Lips
08. Backs To The Wall
09. Egomaniac
10. The Calling
11. Payback Time
12. Rapid Fire

HEADHUNTER had its trio of albums originally issued during Schmier's years away from DESTRUCTION — "Parody of Life" (1990), "A Bizarre Gardening Accident" (1992), and "Rebirth" (1994) — re-released on September 7, 2007 via AFM Records.

"Fatal Warning", a new track from CIRCLE II CIRCLE — the band led by ex-SAVATAGE singer Zak Stevens — is available for streaming at this location. The song comes off the group's new album, "Delusions of Grandeur", which is scheduled for release on April 25 via AFM Records. The CD will be issued as a regular jewel case, a limited edition featuring bonus material, and on picture vinyl.

"Delusions of Grandeur" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. Fatal Warning
02. Dead Of Dawn
03. Forever
04. Echoes
05. Waiting
06. Soul Breaker
07. Seclusion
08. So Many Reasons
09. Chase The Lies
10. Every Last Thing

Digipack bonus material:

11. Revelations (live video clip)
12. Stay (audio)

CANDLEMASS guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman has been sentenced to two years in a Swedish prison for grand theft, reports Realtid.se.

He was convicted of stealing CDs with a retail value of SEK 3 million (approximately $490,000).

According to prosecutor Mats Jansson, Björkman and and his accomplice Stefan Håkansson skimmed CDs from Entertainment Network Scandinavia AB (ENS), where they both worked at the warehouse. ENS handles product distribution to retail outlets and wholesalers throughout Sweden for the four major labels.

Over a period of several years, Björkman and Håkansson shipped the stolen merchandise to two Stockholm retail outlets who were also allegedly involved in the scheme.

In November 2005, a music company contacted ENS regarding a discrepancy in Björkman's reported sales. ENS investigated the matter and discovered that someone had manipulated the company computer on 301 occasions.

By checking Mats' employee/entry card, ENS determined that the musician's log-in information had been used to access the company's computer system in 279 of these instances.

Mats Björkman denies the allegations and claims that someone else must have used his entry card. But his accomplice Stefan Håkansson has admitted his role in the theft and has implicated his colleague.

The scheme was uncovered after a tip was received that the record stores in Stockholm were selling CDs that were shipped from the Borås-based warehouse for a much lower price than those sold by their competitors.

The information about the weight on orders had been manipulated to conceal how much merchandise had been delivered. A package that according to the computer system contained 8 CDs in reality turned out to include more than 100 CDs plus a few box sets and DVDs.

According to the prosecutor, Björkman was the one that was in contact with the retailers and that received the money for the transactions.

The agreement between Mats and his accomplice was that they were to split the profits — which were estimated to be SEK 1.3 million (approximately $213,000) — equally.

Mats stated in court that he doesn't undertand why Stefan would lie about him being involved in the theft scheme but he thinks it might be because Håkansson was trying to protect other people who might have been responsible for stealing the merchandise.

Before he went to court, Mats told the local paper Borås Tidning, "I'm innocent, no question about it."

During the court proceedings, he continued to deny his involvement in the theft while the other man confessed.

Based on the evidence, the court concluded that Håkansson had no reason to lie about Björkman's role in the scheme and determined that prison was the appropriate punishment for both men.

Björkman's accomplice received a sentence of one year and nine months.

Vocalist Roy Kahn of the American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT has issued the following update:

"I want to thank everybody that left a post in connection with my birthday last week or sent me messages and mails. I really, really appreciate it!

"We're working hard these days with tour preparations, finishing up videos and a lot of other stuff. Actually the video for 'Rule the World' was finalized this week... and I have to say I'm extremely happy with it. Release will be before the [European] tour in April.

"Prepare for the ultimate reality escape."

KAMELOT will reissue its classic "Ghost Opera" album on March 28 (Germany), March 31 (rest of Europe) and April 8 (USA/Canada) under the title of "Ghost Opera - The Second Coming", enhanced with lots of interesting features. The album will be released as a double CD limited-edition slipcase design. This sophisticated and comprehensive package includes the CD featuring all the songs from the regular album, plus ten additional live tracks recorded live in Belgrade Serbia during the band's 2007 world tour, plus the bonus tracks "Seasons End", "Pendulous Fall", "Epilogue" and the remix of "Rule The World". Additionally the two videos for "Human Stain" and "Memento Mori" (live) and on top of that, the package features new artwork and a comprehensive booklet.

Dutch "atmospheric doomsters" OFFICIUM TRISTE have issued the following update:

"Once again we can inform you about a change within OFFICIUM TRISTE's lineup.

"After much thought, Martin [Kwakernaak] has decided to quit drumming and start focusing on the synth-parts. As one of the main composers he has always had a big influence on the music and especially the synths. So, from now on he'll be doing the synths and he keeps on writing music. His decision has a lot to do with the fact he's living in Germany and he feels he cannot deliver what is needed for the band when talking about rehearsing and doing live gigs. Therefore, Martin has decided to switch to synths exclusively. This will give the band much more opportunities and we're happy to see Martin in this setting. We are also very happy to announce that all drum duties will be taken over by Ronald Lagerwaard (ex-IMBOLC, ABSENT MIND, PERPETUAL MISERY) from now on. He has proven to be a great drummer and is very motivated to be part of the tight rhythm section for OFFICIUM TRISTE."

OFFICIUM TRISTE's fourth full-length album, "Giving Yourself Away", was released on May 28, 2007 via Displeased Records. The CD was recorded at Excess studio in Rotterdam, Holland.

Metal Mind Productions will release the album "Godfather" from Polish melodic death metallers ELYSIUM on April 7 in Europe and June 10 in the U.S. (via MVD). According to a press release, the LP was was originally released in December 2005 as an attachment to the Polish metal magazine Thrash 'Em All. The music on the effort is described as a "vicious mixture of death, thrash metal elements blended with exploding production, powerful drums, super heavy riffs and crushing vocals. Melodic death metal, especially recommended to fans of DARK TRANQUILLITY, AT THE GATES or IN FLAMES."

"Godfather" track listing:

01. Follow The Dead
02. Snake Legion
03. Godfather Blues
04. Bloodsuckers, Inc.
05. Shotgun Beast
06. Together as One
07. Seven deadly Strikes
08. Jane Doe
09. Beggars Empire
10. Evangelist Murder

Metal Mind Productions will re-release three CROWBAR albums — "Crowbar" (1993), "Time Heals Nothing" (1995) and "Live+1" EP (1995) — in Europe on April 21. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology. The "Time Heals Nothing" album will also contain six bonus tracks — four audio and two video.

"Time Heals Nothing" bonus tracks:

01. Waiting In Silence
02. Obedience Through Suffering
03. Vacuum
04. Subversion
05. The Only Factor (video)
06. Subversion (video)

"Isolation (The Loneliness In December)", the new video from Danish metallers MERCENARY, can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Architect of Lies", which will be released through Century Media Records on the following release dates:

Denmark: Monday, March 17
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: Friday, March 21
UK, France, Norway, Rest Of Europe: Monday, March 24
Spain, Portugal: Tuesday, March 25
Sweden, Finland, Hungary: March 26

Featuring artwork by Niklas Sundin (ARCH ENEMY, DARK TRANQUILLITY), "Architect of Lies" will be made available as a regular CD and a special limited-edition version featuring the bonus track "Death Connection" and a bonus DVD containing live footage filmed at Bang Your Head!!! festival 2007 and Summer Nights festival 2007, a detailed studio report and the promo video for "My World Is Ending".

"Architect of Lies" track listing:

01. New Desire
02. Bloodsong
03. Embrace The Nothing
04. This Black And Endless Never
05. Isolation (The Loneliness in December)
06. The Endless Fall
07. Black and Hollow
08. Execution Style
09. I Am Lies
10. Public Failure Number One

Santa Barbara, California-based metallers DEVILDRIVER will release a digital EP, "Head On To Heartache", on April 21 to coincide with the band's UK tour dates.

The five-track EP features four tracks previously unreleased in the UK plus the title track, which is taken from the group's current studio album, "The Last Kind Words".

"Head On To Heartache" digital EP track listing:

01. Damning The Heavens
02. Unlucky 13
03. Guilty As Sin
04. Digging Up The Corpses
05. Head On To Heartache

James Michael, who is a member of MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx's SIXX: A.M. musical project, has been "locked away in the studio for the last couple months producing the new MÖTLEY CRÜE record," the first full-length recording by the original lineup in more than a decade. According to James, "it is truly incredible! The songs are stellar and the band is at the top of their game, rocking harder than ever. I get chills every morning when I step into the studio and hear playback on what we did the night before. I am so proud of this record. You're going to FUCKING LOVE IT!!!!"

Sixx wrote at his personal blog a couple of days ago, "I fucking love this new MÖTLEY CRÜE album. Tommy's [Lee, drums] kickin' ass, Vince [Neil, vocals] sounds insane and [Mick] Mars is shredding on guitars. It doesn't feel like one song is better or worse than any other. It feels so good to be excited about something you've worked on so hard... I'm so excited for you all to hear it."

The new CRÜE album, "The Dirt", named after the band's memoir of a few years back, is tentatively due out on July 8, with a world tour slated to commence around the same time.

SIXX: A.M. recently postponed a planned spring tour due to "unforeseen circumstances" and "will most likely hit the road in the summer of 2008." The SIXX: A.M. album serves as the "soundtrack" to Sixx's memoir, "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star".

Caroline Records has set a March 11 release date for two classic remastered EXODUS albums — "Impact Is Imminent" (originally released in 1990) and "Force Of Habit" (originally released in 1992) — as limited-edition Japanese-style mini-vinyl CDs, offering a scaled down replica of the original vinyl release in CD format, complete with inner sleeves! Both albums will be available digitally as well. "Force Of Habit" includes two bonus tracks: "Crawl Before You Walk" and "Telepathetic".

Arguably the first American thrash band (METALLICA's Kirk Hammett was a founding member), EXODUS came from the San Francisco Bay Area scene that spawned DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT and VIO-LENCE. EXODUS jumped from Combat Records to Capitol in the early '90s, supporting these releases on tours with PANTERA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, ANTHRAX, MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK SABBATH. Both albums have been out of print for over ten years and command high prices on the secondary market.

Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford have announced the release of two custom-designed digipaks with exclusive new DVD content for 2008.

Due May 26, "Into The Pit" is a four-disc collection from FIGHT which includes FIGHT's original recordings re-engineered for release: "War Of Words - Remixed and Remastered"; "Mutations - Remastered"; "A Small Deadly Space - Remixed and Remastered"; as well as a new DVD release "Live In Phoenix" featuring rare and unreleased FIGHT footage.

"Into The Pit" will debut in a numbered digipak edition, original Rob Halford autograph and 24-page booklet. Worldwide release begins May 26 at local and online retailers.

"Halford Live At Rock In Rio III", a 5.1 DVD, also includes HALFORD's debut recording, "Resurrection – Remastered", and is scheduled for release on September 23, 2008. 13 cameras are fixed on one of metal's most diverse bands of the decade as The Metal God delivers one of his best live performances in front of two-hundred thousand-plus Brazilians.

HALFORD's 2001 double-live CD "Live Insurrection" makes its debut in Blu-Ray Hi-Definition 5.1 Surround Audio September 23, 2008. "Live Insurrection – Remastered" Blu-Ray will feature a custom-designed digipak, original Rob Halford autograph and 20-page booklet including rare pictures and exclusive liner notes. "Live Insurrection" will dazzle Metal God music fans possessing the latest in 5.1 Blu-Ray technologies.

Visit iTunes.com — keywords Halford and Fight — www.HalfordMusic.com or dozens of international digital service providers for videos, MP3s, CD-quality FIGHT and HALFORD downloads.

U.S. iPhone consumers may customize FIGHT and HALFORD ringtones at iTunes beginning May 1, 2008.

Video footage of GORGOROTH's infamous February 1, 2004 concert in Krakow, Poland will finally will see the light of day! Metal Mind Productions will release the first-ever GORGOROTH DVD, entitled "Black Mass Kraków 2004", featuring the legendary Polish concert, on June 9 in Europe and June 10 in the U.S.

GORGOROTH drew the attention of the international media in early 2004 after their show in Krakow. They were accused of "offending religious feelings" during the gig, as well as suspected of breaching Polish law concerning the protection of animal rights by using severed and impaled heads of sheep as part of their stage design. The controversial concert in Poland resulted in the group being investigated for the possible breach of Article 196 of Polish penal code concerning offense of religious feelings (the maximum penalty for breaching this article is five years in prison).

The Norwegian band, which is widely known for its antichristian ideology, had promised on its web site that the Polish concert would be an "amazing show with lots of pyro, gallons of blood, live crucifixion and nude models." Despite this, the employees of the Krakow branch of TVP claimed that they had no knowledge of what the musicians and the promoters had in mind until they saw the actual performance. The concert, which was recorded at the studio of a TV station in Krakow, "was never meant to reach the media," according to the band’s vocalist Gaahl. "Producers Metal Mind Productions bought the sheep heads at a butcher shop. We weren't involved in animal torture of any kind."

In one of the band's first interviews after this controversial concert, Infernus told Canada's Unrestrained! magazine, "We didn't plan to really have an outcome like that, our only intent was to go there and film the DVD. All the chaos and media reaction that came from this was a surprise of sorts." Asked if they "were worried when the authorities were called," Infernus answered, "Not worried, really. I mean, what was the worst thing they could do? Destroy the tapes? I don't think they would do that and I don't think they could really do any harm to us, though they might be able to put the Polish producer away in prison for a few years. For us, this will probably help us sell a few more records. As of now, I can only think that the DVD will be put out eventually. It would be almost like they are stuck in the Middle Ages in Poland if they destroyed the tapes by burning them. I hope to get them back one day… I hope."

The "Black Mass Kraków 2004" DVD will contain the Krakow show as the main feature. Additionally, it will include bonus video material performance footage recorded live at the With Full Force Festival in Leipzig, Germany in 2000, biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images, weblinks, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and more. The DVD will be available in two versions: as a standard DVD and as a very unique star metalpack DVD edition limited to 5,000 copies.

"Black Mass Kraków 2004" (cover artwork) track listing:

Live in Kraków, February 2004:

01. Procreating Satan
02. Forces of Satan Storms
03. Possessed (by Satan)
04. Bergtrollets Hevn
05. The Rite of Infernal Invocation
06. Profetens Apenbaring
07. Of Ice and Movement...
08. Ødeleggelse og Undergang
09. Blood Stains the Circle
10. Unchain My Heart!!!
11. Revelation of Doom
12. Destroyer
13. Incipit Satan

Bonus video:

Live at With Full Force Festival, Leipzig, 2000 (bootleg)

01. Destroyer
02. Incipit Satan

Also includes:

* Biography
* Discography
* Photo gallery
* Desktop images
* Weblinks
* Logo
* Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

British heavy metal vocalist BLAZE BAYLEY's (ex-IRON MAIDEN, WOLSFBANE) performed a new song entitled "The Man Who Would Not Die", this past Sunday (March 16) at the Monsters of Mosh festival at Jilly's in Manchester, UK. Watch fan-filmed video footage of the performance below.

"The Man Who Would Not Die" is the title track of Bayley's new solo album, due late May via the singer's own independent label, with additional licensing to various countries. The CD was engineered by James Dunkley, produced by Blaze Bayley and it promises to take Blaze in new songwriting directions, ushering in a new phase of an already renowned career. It is also the first recorded showcase for the lineup that comprises Nico Bermudez and Jay Walsh on guitars, David Bermudez on bass and Lawrence Paterson on drums.

Pennsylvania-based death metallers INCANTATION will record (via Biz R Entertainment) their March 14, 2008 concert at the Metal Massacre Fest in Allentown, PA for a possible DVD and or CD release sometime in the future.

INCANTATION's "Forsaken Throne of Golgotha" tour 2008 lineup is:

Craig Pillard (ONWARD TO GOLGOTHA, MORTAL THRONE OF NAZARENE, FORSAKEN MOURNING OF ANGELIC ANGUISH) – Vocals
John McEntree (FUNERUS) – Guitar
Chuck Sherwood (BLOOD STORM) – Bass
Alex Bouks (GOREAPHOBIA) – Guitar
Jim Roe - (ONWARD TO GOLGOTHA, MORTAL THRONE OF NAZARENE) - Drums

Commented INCANTATION mainman John McEntee: "It's been great to play the old songs again with Craig and Jim. Alex and Chuck have also been doing an amazing job. The songs just sound so aggressive and incredibly heavy with this line up we had to take Biz R Entertainment up on there offer to record the show. We look forward to another kick ass night of blasphemous death metal. On behalf of the other guys in the band we want to thank everyone for coming out and showing your support, you made this experience truly amazing."

The band's seventh album, "Primordial Domination", was released in 2006 on Ibex Moon Records.

Montreal's CRYPTOPSY has posted a new song, "Worship Your Demons", from the group's forthcoming album, "The Unspoken King", on the band's MySpace page.

Drummer Flo Mounier states: "We, as a band, have since the beginning been experimenting and trying to come up with music that is fresh and new. This album is no different. So mundane to us is music with no purpose, no feeling and just plain repetitive. It was time for CRYPTOPSY to acquire new blood that would play out a vision we've seen for years. We took an approach that gives our music a huge dynamic range and brings out its power. Brutality, diversity, complexity, emotion and musicianship define this latest work."